Unveiling New Opportunities, Building Benue Youth Resilience

The celebration of the 2026 International Youth Day in Benue State came with a pleasant surprise. The announcement made by Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia that the government has concluded arrangements to set the Benue State Youth Development Commission, is not just a pleasant surprise, but an attestation of the commitment of the administration of Governor Alia to youth empowerment and development.
It takes a government with vision to arrive at such marvellous decision, an administration that recognises that the youth population has the potential to drive the present and the future of the state.

The youth population in Benue State is significant, making up about 57.3% of the total population, with estimates suggesting over 3 million youths, typically defined as individuals between 18 and 35 years old. This is huge, and it takes a people-centred leader like Rev. Fr Alia to appreciate this potential and prepare it for a more positive frontline role in nation building.

It is pertinent to highlight that long before now, the administration of Governor Alia has given priority to the youth population because of their importance in driving the state’s development.

It is in the realisation of this that the Governor Alia administration launched several youth empowerment programs in Benue State, focusing on digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and job creation.

Some of these initiatives include digital empowerment through the training of 10,000 youths in ICT skills, with plans to create over 100,000 digital jobs in areas like software development, AI, and cybersecurity.

The government also introduced Benue Summer Tech Training, which equips students with digital skills and provides tablets for learning.

Another innovative empowerment programme for the youth is the setting up of the Benue Fashion Hub targeted at fostering fashion entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for young designers.

There is also the Youth Volunteer Corps, which offers service, skill development, and leadership training for the youth.

The government also introduced a job placement initiative by collaborating with international partners for overseas job placements and sponsoring youths for vocational training abroad.

Entrepreneurship Support: Providing startup equipment and tools for beneficiaries of skills training programs.

These programs aim to boost economic growth, reduce unemployment, and develop a skilled workforce in Benue State.

The impacts have been significant. Over 10,000 youths have been trained in digital skills, with plans to expand the training to 23,000 youths, the creation of over 100,000 digital jobs in areas like software development, AI, and cybersecurity.

Even in education, 9,700 graduates were recruited as teachers, while over 500 health workers were also employed, among other interventions targeting the youth, to reduce unemployment,promote economic growth, and develop a skilled workforce in Benue State.

It is, therefore, a pleasant surprise when the government pushes on to energise the Youth Development Commission, to further address the demands of youth in the state, and contribute to the transformation of the state.

Governor Alia, through his deputy, Dr. Sam Ode, used the 2026 International Youth Day celebration organised by the State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Creativity in collaboration with Benue Youth, to announce the activation of the Commission as a mark of honour to the youth and the recognition of their immense contributions to the growth and development of the state.

For the governor, the youth are partners of government in building society through innovation, farming, and other high-end endeavours, with the capacity to create jobs.

His call is for all youth in Benue State to seize the opportunities provided by his administration by acquiring the necessary skills, embracing agriculture, technology, and participating actively in politics, as well as rejecting social vices that would thwart the realisation of their dreams.

The governor’s message was clear, and he found support in the words of the Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Alfred Emberga, who called on Benue Youth to resist any temptation to be recruited as agents of destruction.

On his part, the former state ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Kwande Local government, Hon. Vitalis Neji said as a youth, his vision  is to prioritise the inclusive growth of the youths in his local government area, and support the youth empowerment programmes of governor Alia.

In an extensive presentation on ‘Where will the Youth go after Graduation’, the Managing Director, Benue State Investment and Property Company, Dr Raymond Asemakaha, advised young people to acquire skills to enable them remain relevant to the society. The future currency of young people is in their skills. The opportunity to acquire the skills has been provided by the administration of Governor Alia.

In all, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady Benue State and Special  Adviser  Women Affairs, Hon Scholastica  Ben- Sor said the youth  were to be redirected  in this administration to make them realise that they are the leaders of today, not tomorrow. Acquire relevant skills and knowledge to take up the challenge of leadership, the responsibility to lead Nigeria, their states, and communities to greater, inclusive developmental  strides .

Hon Moses Bende APC State Youth Leader ,also commended the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, whose purposeful and people-centered governance has made Benue youth proud of themselves as they were gaining in empowerment schemes,being self reliant and productive in the society, curbing youth restiveness  for a better society

He said for the first time in years, Benue youth were  experiencing true dividends of democracy and global recognition, all thanks to His Excellency ‘s selfless leadership.

Indeed, as attested to qby the Chairman Central Planning Committee for the 2026 International Youth Day, and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Mobilization and illegal matters, Mr Terver Gbenda, Benue youths have been given multitude of opportunities by Governor Alia as core drivers of his administration, beneficiaries of employment in various sectors, and recipients of the government’s skills training programmes. With a commission coming up, the sky should be the limit for every young person in Benue State.

The event had a wrap with  Special recognition  to best performing  Local Government chairmen and appointees of the Governor.

Some included Dr Raymond’s  Asemakaha  GMD/CEO BIPC, Hon Scholastica  Ben-Sor, Hon Vutalis Neji,Fmr ALGON Chairman, Hon Terungwa Ahoho S.A on Digital Media and Hon Terver Gbenda, SSA on Youth Mobilization and illegal matters amongst  others.

Bridget Tikyaa

Is the PSA to the Governor  on Media, Publicity  and Communications Strategy