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Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia, has called for the preservation of the 1926 Holy Ghost Parish church building in Makurdi, describing it as a “monumental legacy” that must be safeguarded for future generations. The Governor made this appeal during an inspection of the historic structure on Sunday, September 07, 2025, ahead of its centenary anniversary next year.
Constructed by early German missionaries, the church has stood for a century without iron reinforcement—a rare feat in modern construction practices. Governor Alia, who attended a Thanksgiving Mass at the parish to mark Hon. Mark Tersoo Hanmation’s 40th birthday anniversary, expressed deep excitement at rediscovering the building’s significance. Despite his formative years studying and serving at the parish, he admitted being unaware of its rich history until now.
“It is monumental and quite a legacy. By next year, this building will be 100 years old. The state itself will be 50 years, but here is an establishment that predates it by decades, showing the lifeline the church has carried for the people of Benue,” Alia remarked. He emphasized the site’s immense historical, cultural, and spiritual value, serving as a baptismal and faith cradle for many families in the state.
The Governor highlighted his personal connection, recalling his ordination as a deacon at the Holy Ghost Parish before his priesthood. He stressed the site’s potential as a pilgrimage destination, where people can trace their faith roots, and urged support for upgrading and preserving the parish, calling it vital not just to him personally but to the entire state.
Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Moses Iorapuu, lauded the Governor’s interest, describing the building as a masterpiece of German missionary engineering. He proposed establishing a library and archive at the site to document missionary history and preserve relics of early church life, serving as a learning center for visitors, students, and architects alike. Iorapuu suggested that developing the site into a heritage and tourist destination could project a positive narrative for Benue State, showcasing its rich cultural and religious history beyond insecurity concerns.
The inspection has rekindled conversations on heritage preservation and tourism development in Benue State as the 1926 church building prepares to mark its centenary in 2026.
