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Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, yesterday stepped away from the mounting political tensions back home to grace the 20th anniversary celebration of the NKST Church Classis in Nyanya, Abuja, where he received glowing commendations and spiritual reinforcement from church leaders and prominent Benue indigenes.
The priest-governor, represented at some points by the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Grace Adagba, and the Chairman/CEO of Aspam Group Limited, Dr. Solomon Akperekpe, was celebrated for what speakers described as “two years of visible transformation” across education, health, infrastructure, agriculture, and security in Benue State.
In his sermon, Rev. Solomon Terhemen Igyor, Treasurer of the NKST Synod, thanked Governor Alia for his consistent support to the NKST family and urged Christians to keep trusting God for the governor’s leadership. “The God who sent him to deliver Benue will never abandon him,” he declared, earning loud applause.
The governor responded with a generous donation toward the completion of the NKST Church Nyanya building project and the resident pastor’s house, a gesture that drew prolonged cheers from the congregation.
Former governorship aspirant and Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the event, Esv. Godwin Ityochimin, used the occasion to rally prominent Benue sons and daughters behind the administration. He specifically urged Governor Alia to remain focused and undistracted by political challenges, assuring him of the prayers and support of the people.
Host Pastor Rev. JT Igyar proudly noted that Governor Alia is the first sitting governor to honor the church’s invitation since its establishment, describing the visit as historic.
The well-attended service also had in attendance the Auditor General of the Federation, Dr. Shaakaa Kanyitor Chira; Assistant General Secretary of NKST Synod, Rev. Dr. S.T. Anger; and a host of other clergymen and top government functionaries.
While the governor continues to enjoy strong backing from the church and sections of the political class, the Abuja outing offered a brief respite from the ongoing loan-sharing controversy with members of the Benue State House of Assembly and other local crises that have dominated headlines in recent days.
For now, the priest on the throne appears to be drawing strength from the pulpit as much as from the government house.
