By
Felly Mammah

There is a saying that "by their fruit, you shall know them". This saying
describes the Governor of Benue State Fr. Hyacinth Alia very well as every of his body gesture exalts nature for assigning him with the responsibility of leading his people and generation to the rightful part. Most importantly, his courage to take decisions that will change lives positively
despite person's, that will want to stampede for their selfish interest to the detriment of the states progress. Similarly to late Gen. Abacha that did not depend on foreign loan, he seems a roll model in that regard to Fr. Hycent Alia who is determined to do same and still feed the nation with crops from his soil.

 A lot of political  God father's  and administrative instability have been playing
out in some states like Rivers, Edo and Kano but this same scenario was
quick to have been managed by elders and youths of Benue State particularly the
Governor himself who bears the responsibility of what happens in his domain and to his citizens. Fr. Alia's years of administration in the vine yard of God was rather preparation for his political administration that will, live an exemplary life to Benue citizens and also, open people's eyes to
see that they are one of the most blessed groups in Nigeria that can feed the nations just like their state logo identifies them as "The food basket of the nation". But some of their past leaders who are the most poorly educated in mind, with their lustful  desirous quest for wealth, can not be said to have any developmental record of success after 8years of miserable power drunk. 

 What nature has for the citizens of Benue State can not be easily consumed by even the generation yet unborn. Possibly the reason the mantle of leadership fell on Fr. Alia to make a difference amongst his predicessors. Some past administrators of Benue state who had the opportunity of turning the state to a realistic food basket of the nation indeed, and opened windows for food to be exported to the outside world, assist poor countries and as well, make other states to be at their mercy, only used eight years of their tenure to make merry and develope the FCT with personal buildings that left them with past glory of non recognition. Those past leaders are said to have built castles and invested more in the FCT without bearing in mind that their umbilical cords are buried in their roots in Benue State and that their corpse will also, go back to that dark village and root that was left undeveloped. What a foolish and ignorant slavery of the mind that one would return back to his forefathers without a torch light. These people that refused to emancipate themselves from the slavery of wealth, would rather, prefer people know and visit their roots at death. These pitiable persons  thus prefer to give their fortunes to indigens of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).  A similar mentality that has left the Igbo race stranded in strange lands. 

However, His Excellency, Hycient Alia was prepared for leadership through his priestly engagement. Being privileged to see the good and bad in his spiritual service to God,  enabled him to discern persons that will help him bring his state to an enviable platform. Most importantly, having an authoritative mind of his own not with standing, makes it impossible for him to be a push around.  Also,  being involved personally in every project he assigns,  makes it uneasy for Contractors and politicians in different forms to divert attentions of the intended projects and time for the execution. Fr Alia demonstrates practical leadership in his state and his presence in the state most of the time, does not allow his Commissioners to be extravagant in the cities.

The scripture was categorical to tells us that for whom God wants to bless, he would. Dependency on diabolical powers to frustrate his efforts will only be destroying his good wish for Benue people. And that man who has not read the stories of Phearohs and Nebukadeneze should be pitied for still living in bondage in this jet age. Just as the scripture recognizes peoples traditions and religions, so does Fr. Alia  respects every man's faith and culture cognisance of the fact that all tribes, sex and religion, unanimously, voted him into power especially the less privileged masses. He bears in mind that nature  placed him to be among the high and mighty and that "Respect to One is Respect to Another". Although some incredible person with the fear of unknown trust in chariots and horses but a man under the umbrella of God is sure of his devine defense. The likes of Ahitophel, Hamman  Saul, Jazebel and Pharaoh's wife went down because of David, Joseph and prophets, so shall enemies of Alia. 
 
Very significant among Fr. Alia's commendable capital projects, are the fly over bridges that are almost completed due to be commissioned before his two years tenure in office by may this year. It is on record now that Fr. Alia is the first Benue State leader to dwalise the roads for easy movements.His developmental works also, speak volume of his credible performances  which makes it impossible for both his opponents and predicessors to nail him politically or with disdainful malice. His travel out of his domain, most times, is as a result of importance and every of his trip to the outside world, attracts dignitaries that see that it is possible when passionate individuals unite to achieve a cause. While bearing in mind, that partnership exemplifies how synergized efforts can yield positive out comes not just for state development, but for the society at large.

His Excellency, is a sports loving person just like the Governors of Enugu State Mr Peter Mbah, Cross River Sen. Otu, Plateau, Edo, Delta and the FCT. He is intensifying effort to reactivate the Premier League of the state which is the Lobi Star. On his assumption of duty, he visited the state secretatiates and agencies unannounced  and reassigned portfolios of offices to energetic staff's that would not be controlled by too much beaucracy of civil service. Fr. Alia has been able to pay all outstanding salaries and also, to his credit, is that he has ensured, that before the 30th of every month, salaries are paid not withstanding destructive advises for him to divert monies meant for salaries. Governor Alia in his quest to develop the state Sports League, reassigned Chairmen of Sports Clubs that withheld the salaries and allowances of players and further bought vehicles for both the clubs and the citizens to ease movement in and around the state. Benue Link Transport is said to have the highest new transport vehicles in Nigeria that serves  Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Lobi Star  Mr. Paul Udongo has just been sworn in recently as one of the state Permanent Secretaries. Although he is said to be an experienced sports person that is versatile with football politics but with his enormous challenge now as a Perm. Sec, the citizens solicites the concent of Governor Alia to grant  Mr Harry Yatchi who is a Board member in the League  and former General Manager of Baba Nawa Club and having worked with  Mic Idoko in Sun Shine Football to be considered as the new Chairman  of Lobi Star but subject to his credibility. 

 Noticeable in their Premier League, is that the coach of Lobi Star is sourcing players from Ghana and Cameroun to play in their league but suffix it to note, that Nigeria, has one of the best leagues in Africa that attracts the Western world. Charity they say begins at home. Nigeria have energetic boys that can be trained to make both the state and country proud. Notable also, is that no Lobi Star player is among the selected players that will represent the County in August this year in Kenya for CHAN tournement. Fr. Alia loves sports and is supporting this area with huge finances. Although he may not know the politics around sports but it will be benefiting for those trusted to manage sports to be sincere and dedicated as expected. Sportsing activities are large and need full dedication and time. Lobi Star with the governors efforts still remains backward. Where managers decide to antagonise themselves because of self centereness, governor Alia may wish to give more attention to athletics and other track and feild events that will also, put food on people's tables. A political collaboration with the National Sports Commission 
and the Nigeria Football Federation will help in the development of football and sports in Benue state. The sports correspondence have their eagle eyes on football and their need for positive projection of football and other sports in the state, should not be under minded.

Many eyes are watching the anticidents of Fr. Hyacinth Alia who encourages team work and togetherness. Instead of having eyes on his failures, let eyes and ears rather be focused on informations that will bring changes to the state. While some governors can not pronounce figures of their budgets and some have been borrowing monies from World Bank  to retire unnecessary expenses, Gov. Alia should be commended for being able to manage limited funds from his state to run his administration. His self contentment and non-flamboyant life style even though very neat as a person, has enabled him curtail unnecessary expenditures. While some governors use  constructions and renovation of their liason offices to defraud their states, Fr Alia manages funds and sleeps in his liason house while in Abuja.