What Benue people are expecting now is dividends of democracy with their son Senator George Akume as the SGF and Governor Alia
By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Former Benue State Military Administrator, Brig. Gen. John Atomkpera (RTD) has expressed worry over the deepening political rivalry between political leaders in Benue state, emphasizing the need for urgent steps to be taken to unit gladiators if meaningful development is to be achieved.
Brig.Gen. Atomkpera who was speaking at the maiden edition of One Benue Project on the Theme: The Youth Discuss held at the conference hall of Benue Fashion Hub in Makurdi put together by US based Benue philanthropist, Lawrence Kyuka in collaboration with Benue State Government, insisted that the political leaders must learn to work for the interest of the masses always.
He lamented that political developments of recent times have taken dangerous dimensions, warning leaders to stop attacking one another, but instead work in unity to develop the state while followers refrain from comments capable of hitting up the polity to avoid repeat of what led to burning down of houses and killing of innocent people especially in Tiv land in the past in the name of politics.
The former Benue military administrator said one expect that the destructive and tribal politics a major part of the state development set back which existed in the old Benue which hosted then Igala’s now Kogi, Tiv and Idoma could give way with the exit of Igala’s, lamented that the unity of the state is still threatened, this time along political differences with politicians using the youth to cause destruction.
He said what Benue people are expecting now is dividends of democracy with their son Senator George Akume as the SGF and Governor Alia a high ranking governor under the APC federal government, advising youths to reject being used as tools of destruction by politicians who does not mean well for the state.
The former military administrator commended the organisers for putting together the programme at a time the unity of the state was mostly threatened to the extent of heading to waterfall, urging the youth to reject handouts from politicians to destroy their communities, but instead reactivate community associations, to pursue development of rural areas.
In a remark President General Mzough- U- Tiv, Controller of Prisons, Iorbee Ihaa (RTD) urged Benue people to have an agenda through unity as the country Nigeria according to him is pregnant, stressing that should anything accidental happened people of the state will know where they belong.
He commended the convener of the One Benue Project, Lawrence Kyuka and his team for the foresight, urging the people to embrace unity for development which has eluded the state for the past 49 years and acknowledged developmental efforts of the present administration within a short period in office.
Ihaa also cautioned youths in the state particularly Tiv youths to desist from using the social media negatively especially by insulting elders and hitting the polity for little monetary gains, advising them to use it positively.
Henry Ipole, speaking for the Idoma youths advised Benue people to work the talk by embracing one another in all honesty for genuine unity to take center stage for development to thrive.
In a welcome speech, convener,One Benue Project, Lawrence Kyuka said the reason for the programme is to reawaken the spirit of unity in all Benue citizens wherever they are, arguing that development has eluded the state as a result of disunity.
He urged the people to begin to think, talk and live Benue since the people have no where to go other than Benue State.