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Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, stepped into the national spotlight yesterday, October 29, 2025, as he represented the North-Central geopolitical zone at the inaugural meeting of the steering committee for the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP). The high-level gathering, held at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Secretariat in Abuja, marked a significant step toward coordinating grassroots development initiatives across the federation.
The session was chaired by Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. In a show of regional unity, other governors in attendance included Engr. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe representing the North East, Peter Mbah of Enugu for the South East, and Dikko Rada of Katsina State standing in for the North West.
Discussions centered on crafting collaborative strategies to propel bottom-up development, foster inclusiveness, and guarantee the smooth rollout of the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme in every state. The RHWDP, an ambitious framework under the Renewed Hope agenda, aims to empower local communities by channeling resources and decision-making closer to the ward level.
Governor Alia’s participation underscores Benue’s commitment to inter-governmental synergy and equitable growth. As the North-Central representative, he brought the region’s unique perspectives on agriculture, security, and infrastructure to the table, ensuring that ward-level programs address localized challenges while aligning with national priorities.
The meeting concluded on a note of optimism, with governors pledging to translate deliberations into actionable policies. Signed off by Sir Terso Kula, mnipr, CPS, the communiqué highlights a shared resolve to make the RHWDP a cornerstone of inclusive governance.
As Nigeria navigates its development trajectory, initiatives like the RHWDP signal a deliberate shift toward empowering the grassroots—the true heartbeat of the nation. Yesterday’s assembly in Abuja was more than a meeting; it was a reaffirmation that sustainable progress begins at the ward level.
