PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES GOVERNOR HYACINTH ALIA ON HIS 60TH BIRTHDAY
Abuja, Nigeria — May 15, 2026
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Governor of Benue State, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, on the occasion of his 60th birthday, commending his leadership and developmental strides in the state.
In a statement personally signed by the President, Tinubu praised Governor Alia for his transformative efforts aimed at industrialising Benue State and improving infrastructure across the state.
The President noted that Benue, widely known as Nigeria’s food basket, now boasts industries including tomatoes and fruit juice factories, beer, nylon and polythene manufacturing plants, as well as a large-scale bakery, all of which are providing employment opportunities and adding value to agricultural products.
He also highlighted the construction of iconic underpasses in Makurdi and Gboko, describing them as projects that have eased traffic congestion and improved urban living conditions.
President Tinubu described Governor Alia’s political journey as “faith made manifest,” recalling that he was ordained a Catholic priest in 1990 by Bishop Athanasius Atule Usuh of the Makurdi Catholic Diocese.
According to the President, it was not surprising that the people of Benue elected Alia as governor in 2023, given his years of faithful service in the church and community. He noted that Alia followed in the footsteps of the late Very Reverend Father Moses Orshio Adasu, who served as governor of Benue State from 1992 to 1993.
Tinubu further commended the governor for establishing a university of agriculture, science and technology in the state and for investing in improved facilities at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.
The President also praised Governor Alia’s commitment to peace and stability in Benue State, particularly his peace-building initiatives and efforts to foster unity among the people and within the political landscape of the state.
“Reverend Alia has demonstrated that when the pulpit comes to power, positive change is possible,” the President stated.
While encouraging the governor to sustain and deepen his peace-building and security initiatives, Tinubu urged him to expand welfare programmes and continue infrastructure development to improve the lives of more people across Benue State.
“As Reverend Alia celebrates this milestone, I join family, friends, and the people of Benue State in wishing him many more years of good health and strength as he continues to serve the state and the nation,” the President concluded.
