Governor Hyacinth Iormen Alia of Benue State, has warned against illegal activities and security breaches in the state to allow for even development of the state as well as create a conducive environment for the people and for ease of doing business.
Forefrontng reports that, Governor Alia, gave the warning on Saturday, February 10, 2024 during the requiem mass in honour of his maternal uncle, the late Chief Abu King Shuluwa, the Tor Sankera and Chairman, Sankera Traditional Council, said that he would not relent until such is achieved.
The governor also announced that the construction of rural roads in the state will soon commence, adding that work on the 16 township roads earlier approved have reached an advanced stage with some already completed while others will be completed by April.
He said that as soon as that is achieved, attention will be shifted to the rural areas for which construction would commence fully to ease transportation challenges facing the people especially farmers in conveying their farm produce to the markets.
Alia said that the Makurdi-Gboko, Yandev-Ugbema-Katsina Ala, Yandev-Buruku crossing point and Kastina Ala-Wukari highways have been captured in the 2024 budget of the federal government, pointing out that his administration would continue to press on the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, to commence work on the road projects.
Governor Alia described the late Chief Shuluwa as a man of peace, who made sacrifices and was able to touch and impact many lives in different ways, saying that he died with his boots on, canvassing for peace to reign and return to Sankera axis.
Alia therefore called for a careful and fair selection process for the replacement of the vacant positions of the First class and Second class Chiefs of the axisas a result of the passage of the former occupants, adding that their choice would determine the success and development of the axis.
In his remarks, the Tor Tiv, Prof James Iorzua Ayatse, who was represented by the Tor Kwande, Amrose Iortyer, called for unity and prayers for a better state and urged Benue citizens to respect all authorities and ensure love prevailed.
The Tor Tive stressed the need for integrity, transparency and due process in order to ensure that the right leaders were chosen.
In his Eulogy, the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Katsina-Ala, Most Reverend Isaac Dugu, called on traditional leaders and other stakeholders from other Local Governments to join hands with those in Sankera axis to end banditry, kidnappings and other forms of criminality in the area.
Bishop Dugu, while regretting the death of the late Tor Sankera, Chief Abu King Shuluwa and that of the late Ter Katsina Ala, Chief Fezanga Wombo, urged the Tor Tiv, King Makers and Governor Alia to ensure that those who would be selected to fill the vacant stool of Ter Katsina-Ala and Tor Sankera, are people of proven integrity with the fear of God.
Dignitaries who also showered encomium on the late Chief Shuluwa, were former Governor Gabriel Suswam, former and serving senators from the state, traditional rulers, family members as well as other well-wishers within and outside the state.
A statement by Sir Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State, stated that the Late Chief Abu King Shuluwa, who was born in 1946, died on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.