Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia has declared free basic education in all public primary and basic education schools across Benue State.
The announcement was made on Friday in Otukpo while the Governor addressed stakeholders of the Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency as part of activities marking the conclusion of his Town Hall Engagements and Thank You Tour of the state’s federal constituencies. As schools resume in September, parents and guardians can now enroll their school-age children in any public primary or basic education school in the state free of charge.
Governor Alia assured that his administration had taken proactive measures to expand educational infrastructure and recruit more qualified teachers to accommodate the expected increase in school enrollment arising from the policy.
On security, the Governor expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his steadfast support in tackling the challenges confronting Benue State. He recalled that at the beginning of his administration, 17 local government areas were affected by insecurity, noting that with the support of the President the number was drastically reduced to six and subsequently to just three. According to him, traditional rulers across the state have reported that citizens are gradually returning safely to their farmlands. He stressed, however, that his administration would not rest until every displaced citizen could return to the farm and sleep peacefully with their families in their ancestral homes.
Addressing internal issues within the All Progressives Congress in Otukpo, Governor Alia described the party as one united family with the capacity to resolve its differences amicably. He urged party faithful to make the necessary sacrifices and consciously pursue peace, unity and harmony among members. The Governor thanked members of the APC family in Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency, as well as traditional institutions, the clergy, support groups and other stakeholders, for their steadfast support. He assured them that his administration would continue to prioritise their welfare and the overall development of Benue State.
Speaking earlier, the Deputy Governor, Barr. Dr. Sam Ode, thanked Governor Alia for the visit and assured him that the APC in the federal constituency remained fully committed to delivering a landslide victory for the party in the 2027 elections. He also assured the Governor that the APC leadership in Otukpo Local Government Area would take urgent steps to resolve outstanding internal differences and reconcile aggrieved members.
In his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Council, Hon. Prince Maxwell Ogiri, thanked Governor Alia for making the people of Benue the central beneficiaries of his administration’s policies and programmes. He assured the Governor that he and his counterpart in Ohimini Local Government Area, Hon. Adole O. J. Gabriel, were working assiduously to replicate the administration’s developmental strides at the grassroots. Chairman Ogiri also observed that internal divisions, rather than the opposition, constituted the greater threat to the APC in Otukpo Local Government Area and appealed to Governor Alia to intervene and facilitate lasting reconciliation and harmony within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Other prominent speakers at the well-attended event, held at Ochacho Luxury Hotel, GRA, Otukpo, included the former Governor of Benue State, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Suswam; the Member representing Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Lady Blessing Onuh; the Chairman of the APC in Benue State, Chief Dr. Benjamin Omale; the APC 2027 Benue South Senatorial Candidate, Hon. Dr. Francis Ottah Agbo; and the Leader of the APC Elders Forum in Otukpo Local Government Area, Hon. Chief Godwin Ukpoju, among other dignitaries.
