…as Benue youths honour him with football tournament

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has said he is for the masses and will always remain with the masses.

The Governor spoke in Makurdi at the grand finale of a three weeks football tournament jointly sponsored by him, the Executive Chairman of Benue State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Dr. Grace Adagba and the Chief Medical Director, CMD, of Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, Dr. Stephen Hwande, tagged “The Masses Football Tournament in Honour of Alia.”

A statement by the Information officer, Benue SUBEB, Emmanuella Akese, while addressing the large crowd of spectators, Governor Alia reiterated his administration’s commitment to “youth empowerment, talent hunt and support for initiatives aimed at the holistic development of the youth.”

Lauding all stakeholders involved in making the event a resounding success, the Governor urged young people to continue to showcase their sporting talents in order to place Benue on a platform of development.

He also expressed gratitude to the masses who voted him into power and honoured him with a tournament, saying, “This event is for the masses and I am for the masses and I am with the masses and I assured Benue people of greater things to come.”

The Chairman of the occasion and Commissioner for Works, Housing and Urban Development, Tiza Imojime said  the Masses Football Tournament “did not only provided a platform for young people to showcase their sporting talents but also served as a testament to the collaborative efforts of government officials and stakeholders in driving positive change and to uplift the lives of the people of Benue State.”

The Sponsors of the tournament, the Executive Chairman of Benue SUBEB, Dr. Adagba and the CMD of BSUTH, Dr. Hwande in their separate speeches said the objective of the event was to provide an avenue for young people to properly channel their energies and talents as well as to highlight the commitment of the Governor towards youth empowerment.

They also noted that the event was put together in a bid to address youth engagement and showcase the impactful governance of the administration.

The grand finale witnessed a thrilling showdown between Zeal Minds FC and Future Stars FC with Zeal Minds FC emerging victorious after a penalty shootout.

The highpoint of the occasion included the presentation of one million Naira each to both teams that played in the final by the Governor; and the presentation of trophies, cash prizes and medals to the winning team and outstanding players, while Zeal Minds FC received the Championship trophy.

The event was graced by top functionaries including the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Prof. Joseph Alakali, Commissioner for Cooperatives and Rural Development, Mrs. Joyce Luga, Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Dennis Akura, Special Adviser to the Governor on International Investment, Alex Addingi, Director General Benue State Quality Assurance Agency, Dr. Terna Francis among others.