By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Senate Minority Leader, and lawmaker representing Benue South District, Senator Abba Moro says the bill before the Senate for the rotation of the governorship position among the three Senatorial zones of a state would pave the way for the people of Benue South to produce the state governor for the first time.

The minority Benue South zone also known as Zone C, despite years of agitation has never produced the governor of the state since its creation in 1976.

Speaking at a Grand Reception organised by the Benue Rebirth Movement, BRM, in honour of prominent Zone C personalities, Senator Moro urged te people not to despair but remain positive that Zone C would someday produce the Governor of Benue State.

The Media Director of BRM, Joseph Ode in a statement weekend quoted Senator Moro as saying that “the bill for the rotation of the governorship of a state among Senatorial Zones, currently before the Senate, would pave the way for Zone C to become Benue State Governor when passed. I therefore urged us all to remain hopeful and united in the bid for the governorship.”

Speaking in the same vein, the Och’Idoma, Agaba’Idu Elaigwu Odogbo urged the people to remain steadfast and united as they would surely achieve their governorship aspiration with the backing of his blessings and prayers for them as the father of the Idoma kingdom.

The Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Oliver Aba, and the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Most Rev Michael Apochi also assured of their prayers for the realization of the Zone C governorship aspiration.

Former Economic Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Ode Ojowu also spoke on the need for internal cohesion and the emergence of a shadow Governor of Benue State from zone C in the interim.

Earlier, AVM Monday Morgan (rtd), National Coordinator of Benue Rebirth Movement (BRM), organizers of the Grand Reception, said the event was designed to celebrate the achievements of illustrious sons and daughters from Benue South Senatorial District and to also reaffirm commitment to the cause of inclusive governance and equitable representation in Benue State.

He disclosed that the ultimate goal of BRM was to see a son or daughter of Zone C ascend to the governorship of Benue State. “This aspiration is not just a dream; it is a collective wish that requires our unwavering commitment, fervent prayers, and concerted actions. So let us all pledge to keep this vision alive in our hearts and minds.”

Those honoured at the reception included Amb. Nicholas Ella, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources; Pastor Raymond Omachi, Permanent Secretary (Common Services Office), Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation; and Dr. Mary Ogbe, Permament Secretary, Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.

Others were Dr. Vincent Isegbe, Director-General, Nigeria Quarantine Services; Pastor Paul Enenche, General Overseer, Dunamis International Gospel Church, Mrs. Patricia Kupchi-Iyanya, Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission; His Eminence, Dr. Oliver Aba, Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria; and His Lordship, Mosr Rev Michael Apochi, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo.

Also honoured were, Major General Ede Ode (retd) of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) who was the Chairman of the event’s Central Planning Committee was given a special award for meritorious service to his fatherland. The late Prof. Ochapa Onazi, former Vice-Chancellor of University of Jos, was also honoured with a posthumous award for his role in the establishment of the Federal University of Health Sciences in Otukpo.