Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has announced a series of legacy decisions to commemorate the state’s 50th anniversary, including immortalising past leaders and granting clemency to inmates.
The governor made the announcements during a live broadcast from Government House, Makurdi, on Tuesday, February 3, to mark the Golden Jubilee of Benue State.
Alia said the late former Head of State, Gen. Murtala Muhammed, who created Benue State on February 3, 1976, would be formally immortalised, stressing the importance of honouring those who laid enduring foundations for the state.
According to him, “there is every need to immortalize past heroes and those who contributed in building legacies for generations to inherit.”
He added that, “as one who created the state during his time as military Head of State, there was every need to immortalize him.”
In the same vein, the governor announced the renaming of the Benue Printing and Publishing Corporation after late veteran journalist and statesman, Chief Dan Agbese. The corporation will now be known as Dan Agbese Printing and Publishing Corporation.
Alia further disclosed that several other distinguished Benue indigenes, both late and living, would also be honoured through legacy projects named after them.
He said the list includes “the late Wanteregh Paul Unongo, Elder Isaac Shaahu, Sen. Suemo Chia, Gen. Atom Kpera, late Tashaku Oradi among very many other distinguished indigenes of the state.”
As part of the anniversary celebrations, the governor also exercised the prerogative of mercy on inmates serving various jail terms across the state.
A total of 14 inmates were granted clemency, while one inmate, Terhumba Aondona, had his sentence reduced from 10 years to 4 years.
Those granted clemency are Akaajime Imoter, Kongusu Terzugwe, Terngu Orshi, Ornaa Achagh, Zwa Achir, Terkimbi Amadu, Iorpenda Christian, Aondowaae Terlumun, Oriba John, Sughnen Terfa James, Akaahar Isaac, Ordam Thankgod, Gwayem Agba James and Iorfa Terkimbi.
The statement was issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State, Sir Tersoo Kula.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
Follow us on:
