The Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has inaugurated the State Symbols Screening Committee.
Addressing members of the Committee in the Old Banquet Hall of Government House Makurdi shortly before their inauguration on Monday, Governor Alia who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Serumun Aber, said the event marked a very important day and a significant milestone in the history of Benue as a State.
According to him, “It is the beginning of a search, a quest for a common identity that will become our heritage. Every group, people, community, states and even nations have unique features and cultures that stand them out from the rest and Benue is no exception. We must therefore seek for symbols that make us unmistakable to the rest of the world, symbols that speak and reflect our culture, our uniqueness, our strengths and our potentials. These symbols will become our source of strength, our sense of pride and our binding cords in spite of our diversities.
“We are for instance recognised by our tribes as Tiv, Idoma, Igede and so on, but are in spite of these, known collectively as the Food Basket of Nigeria and soon, we shall become the Agricultural Hub of Africa and in no distant time, begin to feed the world. This is what defines us, Agriculture. These symbols will therefore serve as essential components of our identity as a state and play a very vital role in representing our shared values, history and culture. They will give us a sense of pride and recognition and serve as the auditory and visual representation of our identity and principles.
“As a government we are determined to ensure that the state is taken out of the woods of underdevelopment to its full potential and that’s why we have stepped on full throttle to ensure the state grows in all sectors.
“Apart from ensuring the welfare of workers and pensioners in the state, we are working tirelessly to develop the state’s infrastructure and build the economy especially through our agricultural policies and programs which are meant to double our output in the shortest possible time. We are building a strong health system and developing our educational sector as fast as possible beginning with our engagement of 9,700 new teachers in the primary education sector. Security is also being tightened to guarantee the safety of lives and properties and ensure the safe return of the IDPs to their ancestral homes. The latest move being the launch of the Anyam Nyor and the introduction of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards. These efforts are beginning to yield positive results which is a testament to our dedication, commitment and hard work.
“As we continue to work towards a brighter future for the State, it is exciting to think about what the future holds for us as a people, which underscores the importance of what you have been brought here today to do, identify and carefully select the symbols which shall become our identity and common heritage.”
Speaking further, Governor Alia expressed appreciation to all those who have taken part and submitted entries from which choices will be made saying they have indeed taken steps towards creating a lasting legacy for the people and generations unborn adding that they will be remembered in history and honoured by men as their efforts will indeed add value to the quest in no small measure.
“To the esteemed members of this great committee which was carefully selected based on pedigree, achievements, past contributions and the show of love for Benue State, I charge you to do everything possible to ensure that the best of the best emerge as symbols for the state. Remember that the flag shall be our identity, the coat of arms shall be our symbol of authority which will represent our history, values and principles while the anthem will serve as a unifying force, promoting pride amongst our people and giving us a sense of belonging as it calls us each day to service and duty.
“It goes without saying that our identity as a state, which represents our culture, history, unity and pride lies in your hands, you must therefore handle it with care and every sense of responsibility. You must ensure total honesty, sincerity and transparency of the process. Remember that your service on this committee will serve as an example to the whole world of who we truly are as a people and what we truly represent as a state. You are therefore our ambassadors. Let’s show the world that we are an honest, committed, focused, dedicated and transparent people, working hard together to leave our marks in the sands of history.
“I want to hope and pray most sincerely that history will remember your dedication and commitment to this assignment for good and generations unborn will receive these symbols with a sense of pride.
Responding on behalf of other members, the Committee Chairman, Justice Augustine Utsaha (Rtd), expressed appreciation to the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia for finding them worthy to serve the state in that capacity and assured that they will justify the confidence reposed in them by strictly adhering to the stipulated guidelines.
The fifty three member committee has a two weeks mandate which began with a two day training on how they can give their best to the service that will be followed by a screening of the symbols based on their knowledge following their capacity building to enable them reduce the entries to a manageable number. This will continue through a transparent process until the winners will emerge.
The Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communications, Chief Solomon Iorpev is Secretary of the Committee.
