Economy
Government Unveils Anthem, Symbols To Promote Benue’s Culture, Heritage
Government Unveils Anthem, Symbols To Promote Benue’s Culture, Heritage
Government unveils anthem, symbols to promote Benue’s culture, heritage. Mr Alia commended the committee that undertook the project, saying it did an excellent job.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has unveiled the state’s official anthem and symbols to promote culture, identity, and heritage.
Performing the grand finale of the ceremony on Saturday in Makurdi, Mr Alia said he would send an Executive Bill to the House of Assembly for its implementation.
The governor noted that the symbols represented the essence of Benue people’s identity as reflected in their values, culture, and history.
According to him, the symbols are important tools for the promotion of the state to attract tourists and investors.
The governor said henceforth, the state would uniquely stand out and be recognised through its anthem and symbols.
He noted that the symbols were not only important for their aesthetic value or their promotional potential, but were also a reminder of the citizens’ responsibility to state and county.
He stated, “They are a reminder of our struggles and our triumphs, and they inspire us to strive for greatness. They are a symbol of our unity and our diversity, and they remind us that we are stronger together than we are apart. I therefore urge you all to embrace the state symbols with pride and enthusiasm.
Let us use them to promote our state’s identity and culture and to inspire others to do the same. Let us wear them on our sleeves, literally and figuratively, and let us show the world what it means to be a true Benue citizen. The symbols are a gift to our state and to our people.”
Mr Alia commended the committee that undertook the project, saying it did an excellent job.
“Your dedication, expertise, and commitment to this project are truly commendable. As your governor, I am honoured to accept the outcome of this process and to express my deepest gratitude to the committee that worked tirelessly to ensure that the symbols truly represent the spirit of Benue State.
I would also like to appreciate everyone who made entries for the state symbols. Your creativity, imagination, and enthusiasm are what made this project a success.
“Whether your entry was selected or not, please know that your contribution is valued and appreciated. You have helped to shape the identity of our state, and for that, we are eternally grateful,” he said.
The governor further assured the people that his administration was determined to face its responsibility of ensuring that the state was taken out of the woods of underdevelopment.
He said his administration was building strong health and educational systems as a matter of urgency beginning with the engagement of 9,700 new teachers.
The governor noted that the government was tackling security challenges head-on, adding that the Internally Displaced Persons would soon be returned to their ancestral homes
Earlier, Chairman of the State Symbols Screening Committee, Justice Augustine Utsaha (retd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to be part of the history making.
Mr Utsaha said the search for common identity and heritage for the state was long overdue, adding that the concept was a noble idea that must be taken seriously.
He said the governor’s commitment to infrastructure development was legendary and his concern for human capital, second to none.
Benue
He noted that the committee had worked tirelessly to select the best symbols for the state through a transparent process.
The chairman expressed hope that the symbols would be a beacon of pride for Benue citizens and reaffirm their commitment to the state’s unity and progress.
“I see the symbol being used to promote culture and education. It will play a big role in promoting peace and unity,” Mr Utsaha said
The Secretary of the committee, Chief Solomon Iorpev, said the committee received a total of 119 entries, which were screened to get the top five.
Mr Iorpev explained that the anthem was birthed from the submissions of the five finalists.
Tax Laws Will Boost Opportunities, End Poverty, Says Tinubu
Mr Tinubu, who spoke at the commissioning of the 16-storey Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, assured Nigerians that the new reforms will deliver greater prosperity and inclusivity.
“On my inauguration day, I made a solemn pledge that we will move Nigerians from the dimness of uncertainty into the clear light of renewed hope. I committed to confronting structural weaknesses, restoring financial stability, and building an economy anchored in discipline, equity, and opportunity. Today, I stand before you to reaffirm that these words were not rhetoric; they were a covenant with the Nigerian people,” the president said.
Despite widespread criticism, especially from stakeholders, the Tinubu-led administration implemented the re-gazetted tax laws in January.
Mr Tinubu, who stated on Tuesday that the new tax system was designed to be people-centred and investment-friendly, explained that the laws were intended to liberate the economy from the constraints of archaic laws and make it more globally competitive.
While commending the Nigeria Revenue Service chairman, Zacch Adedeji, for his exceptional performance and the successful completion of the building, Mr Tinubu said no serious nation can achieve lasting prosperity on a weak and fragmented revenue system.
He added, “We are not gathered here merely to commission an edifice. We are here to mark a milestone in a larger national journey: the deliberate strengthening of our fiscal foundation and rebuilding of confidence in public institutions.
“No serious nation can achieve lasting prosperity on a weak and fragmented revenue system. No government can demand trust from its citizens when taxation is opaque, inefficient or unjust. That is why this administration took the bold decision to embark on far-reaching tax and fiscal reforms.”
The president further addressed concerns about the new tax reforms, assuring Nigerians of better performance by the revenue service.
President Tinubu
“The reforms are designed to simplify our system, eliminate distortions and create a fair, transparent and investment-friendly environment. Our direction is clear: to have a revenue system that rewards enterprise, supports growth, and ensures that every contribution to the national cause is matched by feasible value for the people.
“The early results are encouraging and fantastic. Mr Adedeji, thank you very much. We are witnessing improved fiscal stability, strength, stronger foreign reserves, a more efficient trade ecosystem and increased investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic direction,’’ Mr Tinubu said.
Peter Obi: Nigeria Collapsing, Divided Under Tinubu, May Drift into Anarchy If Re-Elected
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi says Nigeria is collapsing and divided under President Bola Tinubu, warning the country may drift into a more devastating situation if he is reelected in 2027.
“The country is collapsing, and if you allow it to go further, it would be worse,” Mr Obi said during the African Democratic Congress convention in Abuja on Tuesday. “We need to work as a united Nigeria for the sake of Nigeria. The country is so divided, so we need unity. The present government has ensured that we remain more divided. Our unity is important.”
Mr Obi, who decried the high poverty rate under Mr Tinubu, further accused the All Progressives Congress-led government of excessive borrowing.
He added, “If you check your indices, when the present government came into being, our poverty rate was 41.6% and 8 million people. Today, we are 63% and 140 million people. So they have almost doubled that.
“When this government came into being, we removed the petroleum subsidy to stop borrowing for services and use the money to develop the country. Today, we are about 200 trillion in debt. Worse still, this government owes contractors; no projects of 2025 have been funded. We have a huge debt and have borrowed more.”
The former Anambra government said the country may descend into disaster, stressing the need for sacrifices among Nigerians.
“We are heading to disaster. I used these figures to show you we are drifting. We all have to work hard because anarchy consumes everybody. We must now sacrifice for the sake of our children. If we don’t do anything, what is happening will take revenge on our children and us,” Mr Obi stated.
Peter Obi
The presidency could not be reached for comment on Mr Obi’s latest allegations.
About 141 million Nigerians were projected to fall into abject poverty in 2026, as Nigeria’s poverty rate was projected to rise exponentially to 62 per cent this year, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Nigeria Economic Outlook published in January.
The report revealed that the poverty rate, which stood at 59% in 2024, rose to 61% (139 million people) in 2025 and is expected to climb to 62% (141 million) in 2026.
PWAC: NNPC Academy’s Adekeye Headlines 2026 PENGASSAN Women Convention
We are delighted to announce that Folashade Adekeye, Director, NNPC Academy, will be a Special Guest at the PENGASSAN Women Annual Convention (PWAC) 2026.
With over 25 years of expertise in Strategic Human Resource Management and Human Capacity Development, Adekeye played a key role in the landmark transition to NNPC Limited under the Petroleum Industry Act (2021). She currently provides stellar leadership at the NNPC Academy, repositioning it as a strategic national and regional training hub.
NNPC
We are proud to see her excellence recognised on this important platform. Join her at the two-day convention, themed ‘The Dynamic Woman,’ on 15th and 16th April 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria, commencing at 10:00 AM daily.
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