By Jesusemen Oratokhai
Governor Hyacinth Alia has officially unveiled Benue State’s anthem and symbols, aimed at fostering cultural identity and heritage. Speaking at the grand finale of the unveiling ceremony in Makurdi, Alia announced plans to send an Executive Bill to the State Assembly for formal adoption.
He emphasized that the symbols reflect Benue’s values, history, and unity, serving as tools to attract tourists and investors while instilling a sense of pride among citizens.
The governor urged residents to embrace them as representations of the state’s struggles, triumphs, and collective strength.
Alia commended the committee responsible for the project, acknowledging their dedication in selecting the symbols through a transparent process. Committee chairman, retired Justice Augustine Utsaha, described the initiative as long overdue, expressing hope that the symbols would promote unity, culture, and education.
The secretary of the committee, Chief Solomon Iorpev, revealed that 119 entries were submitted, with the final anthem derived from the top five selections.
Meanwhile, Governor Alia reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to development, announcing the recruitment of 9,700 teachers and efforts to return Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes.
