Benue state, North-central Nigeria, is regarded as ‘the food basket of the nation’, because it is blessed with natural agricultural produce that can comfortably take care of most Nigerians.
Unfortunately, there is little or nothing to show over the years as the people have continued to suffer from poor infrastructure development.
In fact, many aged persons have had the privilege of ruling the state for eight straight years but only recorded ‘success’ mostly in providing pounded yam in the Government House.
Perhaps, their main interest was in ensuring that the Government House entertains the so-called godfathers, visitors and the kitchen cabinet officials who were feeding fat from the state’s lean resources.
Ironically, every village or hamlet in the state is lucrative with agricultural produce like sweet potatoes, citrus, fruits, cassava, fish and above all yam; yet none of the past governments saw the need to take advantage it and empower the people.
They never realised that there is still life after retirement; hence the need to procure equipment that can extract and process these produce to add value and attract investment.
Indeed, not all the leaders have ideas that will distinguish them among others and most youth still believe and depend on the government to provide employment for them.
Creating an enabling business environment, however, adds to the development of allocated land areas, movement of the masses to attractive cadestral zones also, contributes to the development of roads thereby decongesting the city.
This attraction of mass population, in any area, moves the short sightedness of any meaningful governor to that sight which motivates him to provide security to protect the lives of people and property.
Also, the invitation and encouragement of companies to a state no doubt, enhances easy expansion of an area including road construction in unison with the government. This also, will naturally create avenues for employment and training of both creative and trade acts.
All these are expected to change with the coming of Rev. Fr. Hycient Alia who is billed to take over the affairs of the state in a couple of days. Fr. Alia has a significant youthful experience. He also has the zeal to go far with infrastructure development. He is being looked upon by the international community, the youth, spiritual leaders and the general populace.
Having studied in Florida, United States of America, one of the places of quality education, and unanimously elected by all Benue state people, Alia is expected to distinguish himself since the people have said NO to fraudulent and visionless leaders.
However, Alia cannot achieve all these without the enablers. He did not elect himself single-handedly but with the efforts of the people. Alia attracted the attention of the masses to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with the logo of; “My father – yes father.” This saying has now become an agreed statement with response accepted across the state.
People are instruments that could be used negatively or positively in the life of others. I ask, is it not better to work to the glory of God and have an unexpected reward from him?
Between 2009 and 2010, history was made in Anambra state under the reign of Dr. Christ Ngige on his rejection of godfatherism whose roles on governance was to share the state’s revenue. The then governor proved his willingness to deliver to the state and provide infrastructure that will be a reference point to both the unborn and born generation.
It was also during his time that the deadly deity “Okija Shrine” used in putting people in bondage and cause poverty in their lives was destroyed and the land converted to government inheritance.
However, no knowledge is a waste but positive guidance of godfather’s to Fr. Alia can still attract business ventures that can give them reasonable percentage. The governor-elect, from his signature tune, will introduce practical ideas from Florida and his spiritual preaching to the state. Ideas rule the world and these ideas are the things that will distinguish the youthful governor from the aged ones.
The emergence of Fr. Alia has awakened the hopelessness in the lives of many in the state who do not want to be disappointed. Even though a priest, it should be noted also, that his priestly peer groups, should protect him with more of their prayers and encouragement and not constitute distraction with insignificant request.
James Chapter 5:14 asks a rhetorical question; “Is any sick among you, let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in name of the Lord’. The sickness of Fr. Alia now and clarion call at this critical moment is to be allowed to work under a convenient environment that will x-ray his ideas, that will possibly leave the state with permanent historical reference points.
Torchlights are focused on this young man to see how he will offset accumulated debts incurred by past administrations. His ability to raise funds for a start remains a question that only the God that called him like he called Samuel can address in addition to the cooperation of all.
The best any parent can give his child is a good name which is better than wealth. Many expect this peculiar young priest to perform miracle to the glory of God while the credit is expected to be an award to his people who should add colour to his success.
Nwokorie writes from Abuja via 08069456745
