By Emmanuel Antswen
A socio-cultural organisation known as the Ior-Ijemgbagh Development Association has pledged its total support for Gov. Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, to succeed.
The group’s secretary, Mr Tivlumun Aminde, made the pledge at a press conference in Makurdi on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jemgbagh is an umbrella body for the people of Gboko, Buruku and Tarka local government areas.
Aminde said that Alia brought significant development to Jemgbagh land within his two years as governor and deserves the support of all to succeed.
The secretary stated that the governor has appointed 57 Jemgbagh sons and daughters to various positions, including commissioners, advisers, and chief executive officers, amongst others.
He further stated that the governor awarded nine key projects in Jemgbagh, with some already completed while some were ongoing.
“In the area of social intervention programmes, the sum of N150,000 each was given to 2,500 households of Jemgbagh extraction, amounting to N375 million as a form of empowerment to boost their businesses.
“We wish to state clearly that we have not witnessed such unprecedented development in Jemgbagh area as is currently being carried out by Gov. Alia.
“The Ior-Ijemgbagh Development Association is seeking to build, not to destroy; to gather, not to scatter; and to rationalise, not to factionalise.
“So, we appeal to all Jemgbagh sons and daughters and all the good people of Benue to allow Alia, who came in peace, to continue peacefully with the massive development of the state,” he pleaded.
Aminde described Akume as a distinguished son of Jemgbagh, and that must be respected and supported at all times.
He said the association was yet to witness any form or attempt by the Benue Government, led by Gov. Alia, to undermine the SGF.
“The SGF remains a vital institution in our governance structure. We urge the public to disregard the baseless assertions and focus on promoting the government’s tangible achievements and the welfare of the entire Benue people.
“We, the Ior-Ijemgbagh people, shall continue to respect the SGF, a distinguished son of Jemgbagh,” they said NAN
