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In a heartwarming show of solidarity, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, returned to his native Buruku Local Government today and was practically mobbed with love by his own people.
The stakeholders’ meeting turned into a full-blown homecoming. Reps member Hon. Sekav Iortyom, House of Assembly member Dr. Zahemen Jabi, former Vice Chancellor Prof. Akase Sorkaa, traditional rulers, youth groups, and women leaders all gathered to tell their son one simple thing: we are proud of you, and we have your back.
The message was clear and repeated: Buruku people want sustained peace and unity among all tribes in the area, an end to the circle of violence that has claimed too many lives, and a collective resolve to support President Tinubu’s administration, Senator George Akume, and especially their own Prof. Utsev so that more federal projects can flow into Benue.
They didn’t just speak; they praised. Speaker after speaker highlighted the giant strides Utsev has made in providing water, sanitation, and empowerment programmes across the country, with special mention of the boreholes, toilets, and skills acquisition centres now dotting Buruku and neighbouring communities. They promised to pray harder, mobilise stronger, and keep the peace so their brother can “succeed in this national assignment for the overall good of Benue.”
For a minister who has spent the last two years flying from one dam site to another across Nigeria, today must have felt like drinking cold water after a long hot day. Sometimes the loudest applause doesn’t come from Abuja; it comes from the village square where everybody knows your nickname from childhood.
Prof. Utsev left Buruku years ago as a brilliant young lecturer. He came back today as a federal minister and still got treated like the community’s brightest son who must not be allowed to fail.
That kind of backing is political currency money cannot buy. And if the cheers that followed him out of the venue are anything to go by, Buruku just sent a loud message to the rest of Nigeria: our minister is working, and we will clear the road for him to do even more.
Safe travels back to Abuja, Prof. The entire Sankera bloc is praying, and that is a lot of prayer firepower.
