Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has flagged off the distribution of improved Tenera oil palm seedlings to journalists under the Benue Alia Palm Project, describing the initiative as a bold step towards building a sustainable economy for the state.
The presentation took place during the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Benue State Council Congress at the NUJ Secretariat, Makurdi, where the Governor said the seedlings were “not ordinary gifts” but the foundation of an economy that will provide jobs, feed industries, and generate wealth for families.
“Today, I stand before you not just as a Governor but as a brother and partner to the media, to plant the seeds of a brighter Benue.
“Every palm tree you plant will grow to feed industries, employ our youth, and add prosperity to our state,” Alia told the gathering.
The Governor, who used the occasion to reel out some of his administration’s achievements in road construction, water supply, electricity, schools, and healthcare, stressed that true development must be sustainable.
He promised to settle the NUJ’s accumulated ₦12 million dues to the national body, announced plans to renovate the NUJ House, and gave a utility bus for the union to ease its operations.
On the long-standing demand for weigh-in allowances, Alia assured that the matter would receive urgent attention once the new Commissioner for Information assumes office.
Governor Alia urged journalists to nurture the seedlings as they would nurture ideas through their pen and camera, stressing that their role as storytellers is vital in projecting the state’s progress.
“Together, we will rewrite the Benue story. The food basket of the nation will also become the industrial basket of Nigeria,” he declared.
Welcoming the Governor, NUJ Benue State Council Chairman, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, praised the administration’s strides in infrastructure, security, and digital governance.
He described the palm project as a “wealth-planting initiative” that not only empowers journalists but also underscores the Governor’s commitment to inclusive development.
“By giving us a stake in agriculture, you have empowered those whose duty it is to inform, educate and hold leaders accountable. This gesture is about wealth creation, food security, and diversification,” Ugber said.
The NUJ chairman, however, appealed for more government support, including renovation of the union’s dilapidated secretariat, provision of official vehicles, and approval of weigh-in allowances for journalists in government-owned establishments.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Agweye Agbenu, commended the initiative, noting that the planned six million hybrid palm trees would in a few years position Benue as a model for other states.
“If fully harnessed, this project can reduce dependence on federal allocations and make agriculture a genuine pathway out of poverty. Other states will soon come to learn from Benue’s example,” Agbenu said.
Credit: Isaac Uzaan
