The Task Before Benue’s New Commissioners

When Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia removed members of the State Executive Council in July 2025, he said it was to give other people from the state the opportunity to bring in fresh ideas to drive the state’s development. In essence, the governor is pushing to fast-track the attainment of his objective of transforming Benue State beyond the pace it is going.

The governor’s agenda has remained unwaveringly very clear. It is about putting the people first, assuaging their fears, securing their futures, restoring the broken economy, unpgrading the inherited state’s collapsed infrastructure, ending endemic corruption, unemployment, and the general crisis of development the state found itself before his assumption of office in 2023. In essence, his target is to evolve a new Benue where governance works for the people, not any vested interest.

In essence, the 17 new commissioners who assumed duty on September 1, 2025, have a huge task ahead of them, and the governor mins no word in charting the course he wants them to take.

First, the Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia said they must serve with loyalty, be accountable, and maintain close ties to their communities.

Secondly, he charged them to gird their loins for a race against time, a race to deliver more, to implement policies and programmes that directly improve the lives of ordinary citizens, such as market women, children, workers, and pensioners.

He also gave them a clear message to reinforce his administration’s core agenda of promoting transparency and accountability. No sharing of state resources to private interests.

As the government rolls into the second half of its first term, the journey ahead would require greater commitment, and the new commissioners, who were selected based on their proven understanding of governance, transparency, and discipline, are expected to make a huge difference in the realisation of the new Benue envisaged by Governor Alia.

In doing so, they are expected to abide by their oath of office to place public interest above personal considerations, maintain strong links with their local communities, serve as spokespersons of government programs, and uphold confidentiality in state matters. This is necessary in reinforcing the fact that the Alia administration is people-centered, not driven by political patronage.

As expected, the new commissioners, through Hon. Dennis Iyaighgba expressed gratitude to the governor for the trust reposed in them and said they were prepared to add value to the administration by working with diligence, creativity, and integrity, so as to collectively deliver tangible results that improve the lives of the people.

The new commissioners are Dr. Ortese Yanmar, Dr. Fredrick Ikyaan, Michael Oglegba, Tiza Isaac Imojime, Alumo Orpin, Ugwu Odoh, Kunde Aondowase, Kwaghgba Amande, Joseph Ter Jir, James Dwem, Dr. Ornguga Yangien, Theresa Odachi Ikwue, Dr. Benjamin Ashaver, Dr. Adamu Margaret Ijaguwa, Dr. Peter Oboh Egbodo, Dennis Iyaighgba, and Dr. Paul Ejeh Ogwuche.

All the 17 will work towards achieving milestones in delivering the seven key agenda of the administration, which include addressing insecurity, returning displaced persons home, Industrialization through agriculture and massive rural development, creating opportunities through a revitalized commerce and industry space, building the capabilities of the people through human capital and social development, providing infrastructure to support economic growth, and enabling digital transformation and skills through investment in information and communications technology, ICT.

So far, it has been two years of excellence, of impactful legacies that have positively touched lives, transformed institutions and pulled Benue State from the brinks of total collapse it was in before Governor Ali stepped in to change the narrative.

The new commissioners should be part of the next narrative of excellence in service, of concrete and impactful projects that  transform Benue state and positively touch lives.

– Bridget Tikyaa is the principal special assistant to the Governor on Media Publicity and Communication Strategy