The Benue State Government, through the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Creativity, made history on New Year’s Eve by hosting a spectacular Cross Over Night celebration at the High Level Underpass in Makurdi, drawing what has been described as the largest turnout ever witnessed at a New Year event in the state.
Thousands of youths, families, creatives, and residents from across Benue converged at the venue under the leadership of the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity, Hon. Tiza Isaac Imojime Orya. The night featured breathtaking fireworks displays, electrifying live music performances, vibrant dance showcases, and moments of collective prayer for peace, unity, and prosperity in the year ahead.
Observers and attendees alike hailed the massive participation as a powerful testament to growing public confidence in the youth-focused governance approach of the administration. Dignitaries and stakeholders present praised the vision, meticulous organisation, and inclusive nature of the event, calling it a clear marker of a new era characterised by heightened civic engagement, creativity, and communal unity in Benue.
Hon. Orya expressed profound gratitude to Governor Hyacinth Iormen Alia for his visionary and people-centred leadership, emphasising that youths in the state are now recognised as active stakeholders in governance rather than mere bystanders. He extended warm New Year greetings to all residents, voicing optimism that 2026 will deliver greater peace, expanded opportunities, and inclusive growth across the state while reaffirming the ministry’s unwavering commitment to programmes that place young people at the heart of development.
This groundbreaking celebration not only provided a memorable welcome to the new year but also signalled a strengthened bond between the government and the people, particularly the youth, as Benue strides confidently into 2026.
