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In a deeply emotional moment that has touched many across Benue State and beyond, Bobbie Terungwa emerged as the winner of the state’s first-ever Talent Hunt Competition held on December 23, 2025. The young talent, whose specific art form involves a skill often discouraged in her community, took to Facebook to share a heartfelt open letter thanking the Honorable Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Creativity, Tiza Isaac Imojime Orya, for organizing the groundbreaking event.
Terungwa’s post, which has garnered significant attention, recounts years of hiding her talent due to fear of judgment and lack of opportunity. “For years I hid my talent, convinced no one would ever care to look,” she wrote. “I practiced in corners, whispered my dreams to the walls, and wondered if I’d ever matter. Especially because my kind of talent is discouraged from where I come from.”
She described the moment her name was called as the winner not as one of pride, but of profound healing: “When my name was called as the first-ever winner, I broke down, not from pride, but from the ache of finally being believed in. That moment healed something broken inside me that I didn’t even know was bleeding.”
The competition, initiated under the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia, marks a significant effort to nurture creative talents among Benue’s youth. Commissioner Tiza Isaac Imojime Orya, who has championed youth empowerment initiatives since assuming the role, received special praise from Terungwa for providing a platform that “turned on a light in a life that had been so dark.” She emphasized that the event did more than offer a stage—it restored her sense of worth and made her feel “seen, chosen, and loved by an entire state.”
Addressing her fellow Benue people, Terungwa declared, “I’m not done,” signaling her determination to continue pursuing her passion. She signed off as “Bobbie Terungwa, 1st Place – Benue State Talent Hunt Competition,” noting with gratitude that her prize had been received.
This story highlights the transformative power of inclusive opportunities for young people, particularly those facing societal barriers. As Benue State continues to invest in creativity and youth development, victories like Terungwa’s serve as inspiring reminders that belief and support can unlock hidden potential and heal long-held doubts.
