By Donald Kumun
As Nigeria celebrates her 64th independent anniversary, one of the issues that is a recurring decimal is that of development which is largely occasioned by the monumental underdevelopment that has left citizens worse and unable to unleash their full potentials thereby limiting their respective abilities to solve their basic problems.
However, one man is delivering good governance to his people and stands as a shining example in the network of state governors. He is none other person than His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.
Good governance is the bedrock of societal development and progress. It entails the delivery of public services, adherence to the rule of law, transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness. For a state like Benue, grappling with socio-economic challenges, insecurity, and infrastructural decay, good governance is crucial to reversing years of underdevelopment.
Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, elected as the 6th executive governor of Benue State in 2023, faces the critical test of not only delivering the dividends of democracy, but also setting an example of good governance.
Governor Alia, a potent Roman Catholic Priest, entered the political arena with a reputation for integrity and service to humanity. His election was seen by many as a departure from the usual political order, offering hope that Benue would experience a government driven by fairness, morality, and accountability. The people of Benue, yearning for improved welfare, saw in Fr. Alia the potential for a leader who would prioritize their needs, especially in areas like agriculture, infrastructure, security, and social development.
The concept of good governance encompasses several key elements: accountability, transparency, effectiveness, responsiveness, and inclusiveness. It involves managing public resources efficiently, ensuring that decisions are made in the best interest of the citizens, and maintaining a government that is open to scrutiny. For Governor Alia to set an example of good governance, his administration has deliberately reflects these core principles across all sectors.
Benue State is known as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” with vast agricultural resources. Yet, the state has been unable to harness its full potential due to poor infrastructure, lack of support for farmers, and insecurity. Governor Alia’s administration has prioritize the development of agriculture, not just as a sector for food production, but as a catalyst for economic transformation. Providing modern farming equipment, access to credit, and efforts at establishing food processing industries are essential steps toward empowering local farmers and generating wealth, which the Governor is already manifesting results in the areas.
For agriculture to thrive, it is essential that security is restored in rural areas where farming activities are concentrated. The Governor’s efforts to tackle insecurity, especially the frequent clashes between herders and farmers, and those internal crises in some parts of the state particularly the Sankera axis, have so far been applauded to stakeholders as the hallmark of good governance demands, that he ensures the safety of lives and property to foster economic productivity.
One of the major challenges facing Benue is its poor infrastructural base, from dilapidated roads to inadequate healthcare facilities and schools. Good governance requires that public funds be invested in infrastructure projects that directly impact the lives of citizens. Governor Alia’s administration has given significant attention to rehabilitating roads to ensure better connectivity within and outside the state, thereby promoting trade and investment across the entire 23 local government areas.
Healthcare is another area that has seen years of neglect. The people of Benue require functional hospitals and healthcare centers that are adequately equipped and staffed. The governor’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure is therefore a key indicator of his focus on the welfare of the people.
Similarly, the education sector has received serious attention, particularly in rural areas where children lack access to quality learning facilities. The process to recruit sizeable number of teachers is on already.
As a Priest, conscious of his calling, Governor Alia’s personal image carries the weight of moral responsibility, which should translate into a transparent and accountable government. As Benue State is set to witness real progress, public officials are now held to high standards of accountability. Transparent budgeting, contract awards, and implementation of projects, ensures that public resources are used effectively. Citizens have already trusted that the governor’s administration is not just paying lip service, to the fight against corruption, but is genuinely committed to it.
One of the most notable moves, the Governor has made, is promoting transparency with the inclusion and consultation with civil society groups, traditional institutions, and local communities, which are also essential to ensuring that governance is people-centered.
Security remains one of the greatest challenges in Benue State. Years of conflict between farmers and herders, along with banditry and cultism, have left many communities vulnerable. Governor Alia’s approach to resolving these issues, has remained commendable, and has gone a long way in determining his administration’s success. On several occasions, he has explained that security has to be attained but not openly discussed on pages of newspapers, or other media platforms. Good governance in this context means ensuring that security apparatuses are not only efficient but are also acting in the interest of justice and fairness.
Governor Alia has therefore built a large reservoir of confidence and collaboration with security agencies, traditional rulers, and community leaders to restore peace. Without security, other aspects of governance, such as agriculture and economic development, cannot thrive. His government must work toward finding long-lasting solutions that address the root causes of the conflict, including land use and resource management.
Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s administration stands at a critical juncture in Benue State’s history. The question of good governance is not just a matter of delivering services but ensuring that the government is responsive, inclusive, and accountable to the people. He is not found wanting so far as these parameters are concerned. By focusing on agriculture, infrastructure, security, and transparent governance, as well as key Humanitarian services to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), in collaboration with top international organizations across the globe, to cushion the height of their pains, and also take them back to their ancestral homes, where they are currently settled for farming, the Governor has set a new standard for leadership in Benue.
As the ‘Reverend Gentleman’ stands on the threshold of building a lasting legacy of selfless service by aligning his policies with the principles of good governance, his track record will be one of transformation, leaving behind a state that is more prosperous, peaceful, and united.
Kumun, is the Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Print Media, and writes from Makurdi, the State Capital of Benue.
