Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has expressed deep appreciation to Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for her compassion and support to the people of Benue during one of the state’s most challenging times.
Speaking on Monday in Makurdi during the First Lady’s condolence visit, Alia praised her “motherly care, generosity, and thoughtfulness,” particularly in the wake of recent violent attacks that have led to the displacement of thousands.
“Your presence and donation of ₦1 billion to victims speak volumes of your compassion and commitment to national solidarity,” the governor said.
He noted that her visit to Benue, much like her recent solidarity visit to Plateau State, underscores the kind of consistent, empathetic leadership Nigerians admire.
Highlighting her interventions in the state, Gov. Alia listed several initiatives spearheaded or supported by the First Lady:
₦500,000 each to 20 women farmers in Benue.
Financial and medical outreach to the elderly during the Christmas season.
₦50,000 recapitalisation grants to 1,000 petty traders.
Trucks of assorted food items and rice for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), orphanages, widows, and persons with disabilities.
Agricultural empowerment for 250 women and youths.
Distribution of freezers, grinding machines, generators, and gas cookers to 500 beneficiaries via SDG/RHI collaboration.
Rising Humanitarian Crisis
Alia revealed that Benue is currently hosting over 1.5 million IDPs across official camps and host communities.
He pointed out two newly established IDP camps resulting from recent attacks:
International Market, Makurdi – housing over 3,160 IDPs, mainly women and children.
NKST Primary School, Naka – sheltering 18,592 displaced persons under dire conditions.
“The humanitarian situation in Naka, which followed the Yelewata crisis, has become even more severe and deserves urgent national and global attention,” the governor said.
Call for State Policing and Grazing Law Domestication
Governor Alia stressed that the current security architecture is “inadequate” in dealing with persistent attacks on Benue communities.
He called for a decentralised, community-based policing model, urging the federal government to embrace state policing as a “practical and necessary step” toward lasting peace.
Additionally, he appealed to the First Lady to champion the domestication of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law across all North Central states.
“A regional approach will ensure consistency in enforcement and eliminate safe havens for violators moving across state boundaries,” Alia stated.
He concluded by urging the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, non-governmental organisations, and individuals to visit the affected areas and provide additional relief, noting that “Benue cannot do it alone.”
