President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended birthday wishes to Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia on his 60th birthday, praising his leadership style and achievements in infrastructure development, industrial growth, and peace initiatives across the state.
In a statement personally issued on Thursday, Tinubu described Alia’s journey into politics as a reflection of “faith in action,” noting that his background as a Catholic priest helped shape his values and approach to governance.
The president recalled that Alia was ordained in 1990 by Bishop Athanasius Atule Usuh of the Makurdi Catholic Diocese before transitioning into politics, where he later became governor of Benue State in 2023.
Tinubu said the governor’s discipline, compassion, and commitment to service have strengthened public trust and earned him wide acceptance among residents of the state.
He also drew a parallel between Alia’s leadership and that of the late Very Reverend Father Moses Orshio Adasu, who once governed Benue State between 1992 and 1993.
Highlighting development efforts, the president commended ongoing industrial and infrastructural projects under Alia’s administration, noting visible economic progress in the state.
He specifically pointed to the establishment of processing factories such as tomato and fruit juice plants, beverage production facilities, packaging industries, and a large-scale bakery, saying they are boosting job creation and agricultural value chains.
Tinubu further praised road infrastructure projects, including underpasses in Makurdi and Gboko, which he said have improved traffic management and urban mobility.
He also acknowledged investments in education and healthcare, including the development of a university focused on agriculture, science and technology, as well as upgrades at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.
According to the president, the administration’s reconciliation efforts have contributed to improved peace and political stability in the state.
He encouraged the governor to sustain his efforts in strengthening security, expanding social welfare programmes, and delivering more development projects for residents.
