News Editor
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has said his administration has been working tirelessly to breathe life back into the moribund industries littered all over the state and establish new ones.
The Governor stated this at the inaugural “Made in Benue Products Exhibition” held at IBB Square, in Makurdi, the state capital, describing it as a strong persuasive statement about the potentials, creativity, ingenuity of Benue people.
He said his administration inherited a landscape littered with moribund industries and businesses which
succumbed to many years of neglect, policy inconsistencies and infrastructural decay.
Alia who noted that industrialization is the third agenda in his administration’s blueprint said from the onset, “We committed ourselves to repositioning Benue State as an economic powerhouse, leveraging our vast resources and the unwavering determination of our citizens.
“Our ultimate goal is not merely revamping existing structures but also laying the foundation for sustainable industrial growth that will stand the test of time.”
He said the first-ever “Made in Benue Products Exhibition,” is a great milestone in his administration’s journey towards economic rejuvenation, self-sufficiency and industrial growth.
He called He called on the Federal Government and corporate bodies to invest in local enterprises to empower communities and foster self-reliance.
Governor Alia asserted that the Benue State’s First Exhibition was not just an exhibition but a persuasive statement about the modernization and industriousness of local entrepreneurs just as it marks a considerable breakthrough in the state’s journey towards economic rejuvenation and industrial advancement.
The Governor said, “This exhibition makes their productions to public glare, bringing reassurance to the manufacturers and unmasking them to sponsors, investors, and larger markets.”
He recognized the challenges inherited from years of negligence and infrastructural decomposition, but affirmed the responsibility to resuscitate moribund industries and foster new ones.
He declares, “Our transcendent goal is not purely revamping existing networks but laying the foundation for sustainable industrial growth.
He pointed out the successes of initiatives like the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), which has spearheaded the establishment of mini-industries, the Governor showcased how local resources are being utilized to generate jobs and minimize dependency on external markets.
The exhibition further displayed products crafted primarily from local raw materials, embodying the potential for Benue to build a self-satisfactory industrial base.
He said “Given the right support, our people can compete enthusiastically in any market, both nationally and internationally.”
He assured that “As the exhibition produced a varied bundle of innovations, it remained as a testimonial to the resilience and creativity of the Benue people, reinforcing the message that economic prosperity can be achieved through local dexterity and mutual effort.
The Governor encourage all participants to pick up a keen enthusiasm in the advertised products, emphasizing the importance of reinforcing local industries for the continuous economic future of Benue State.
Welcoming participants to the event, the Commissioner, Science, Technology, and Innovation Benue State, Rt. Hon. Nick Eworo, said the theme of the exhibition, “Innovating for a Sustainable Future,” reflects the state’s commitment to leveraging science, technology, and entrepreneurship to drive lasting change.
He said “The groundbreaking advancements and ingenuity on display here is only the tip of
the iceberg. Benue is brimming with untapped talent, and what you see today is just a glimpse of the vast potential that exists across our State.
“May this gathering inspire innovation, drive economic transformation, and set the stage for a new era of technological excellence in Benue State,” he prayed.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his vision and commitment to promote local enterprises, empower entrepreneur and develop the economy.
She said Benue is known as the food basket of the nation due to its versed agricultural potentials and there was need to tap the them for economic growth.
Oduwole said the Federal Government is supporting new regulations for SMEs to grow and also strengthening investment components.
According to her SMEs account for 40 percent of the nation’s GDP, and was also responsible for 90 percent workforce through job creation,
hence the willing to create an enabling environment for SMEs to strive.
“We will continue to create and support export businesses.
This exhibition is a call to action and support for ingenuity, I commend the ingenuity of these inventors. Let us continue to grow our economy and enhance development”, she said.
