Benue youths get fresh hope as Alia pledges youth commissioner, more jobs

Henry Iyorkase, Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has pledged to appoint a Commissioner for Youth to oversee youth-related activities and provide stronger institutional support for young people across the state.

Governor Alia made the commitment while responding to the yearnings and expectations expressed by youths during the 2026 International Youth Day celebration organised by the Ministry of Youths and Creativity in collaboration with the Benue State Youth Commission.

The event, held on Wednesday at the 1BB Square, Makurdi, brought together youths, government officials, community leaders and other stakeholders to celebrate the contributions of young people to the development of Benue State and Nigeria.

The governor, who was represented at the occasion by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Sam Ode, expressed satisfaction with the overwhelming support and participation demonstrated by the youths.

He urged young people in the state to remain actively involved in issues concerning their communities and the overall development of Benue.

Alia encouraged the youths to ask questions about critical issues confronting the state, stressing that increased knowledge and consciousness were essential to finding lasting solutions to the challenges facing the people.

According to him, International Youth Day provides an opportunity to celebrate young people, particularly those who have distinguished themselves through creativity, ingenuity, skills acquisition and other productive ventures.

The governor said his administration remained committed to creating an enabling environment where youths could develop their talents, acquire relevant skills and become self-reliant.

He further stated that the present administration was opening up opportunities for graduates and other young people through employment and empowerment initiatives aimed at improving their livelihoods.

Alia noted that youths in the state were already making meaningful contributions in various sectors, including agriculture, sports, information and communication technology (ICT) and other productive ventures.

He said such engagements were important not only for reducing unemployment but also for enabling young people to become economically independent and contribute significantly to the development of society.

The governor, therefore, called on Benue youths to take advantage of opportunities provided by the government and other stakeholders, while encouraging them to remain focused, innovative and committed to building a better future.

Earlier, Chairman of the occasion and Member of the House of Representatives representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, Hon. Ojema Ojotu, described youths as the future leaders of Benue State and Nigeria.

Ojotu stressed that the role of young people in nation-building could not be overemphasised, noting that their energy, creativity, innovation and commitment remained critical to the progress of the country.

He commended the youths for their participation in the International Youth Day celebration and their demonstrated commitment to ensuring the success of the programme.

The lawmaker urged young people to remain focused on acquiring knowledge and skills that would enable them to compete favourably in an increasingly changing global environment.

He also encouraged stakeholders, including government at all levels, the private sector and development organisations, to continue investing in youth development, education, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition.

The celebration provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on the challenges confronting young people in Benue State, while also highlighting the potential of the youth as drivers of economic growth, innovation and social development.

The pledge by the Alia administration to strengthen youth-focused governance through the appointment of a Commissioner for Youth is expected to provide additional institutional attention to issues affecting young people across the state.

Participants at the event also called for sustained collaboration between the government and youth organisations to ensure that programmes designed to empower young people translate into tangible opportunities and improved livelihoods.

The International Youth Day celebration ended with renewed calls for greater youth participation in governance, economic development, skills acquisition and other areas capable of positioning young people as active partners in the development of Benue State and Nigeria.