By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has urged youths to take the lead in transforming and reshaping Nigeria, describing them as critical partners in building a strong and prosperous society.
Governor Alia made the call on Wednesday at the 2026 International Youth Day celebration held at IBB Square, Makurdi.
The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Samuel Ode, said young people had the capacity to influence positive change and should ensure that their voices were heard in matters affecting the country.
He urged youths to ask critical questions, challenge the status quo and develop innovative solutions to the challenges confronting society.
According to him, International Youth Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the creativity, ingenuity and contributions of young people across different sectors, particularly sports.
Alia said his administration had created an enabling environment for young people to thrive, urging them to take advantage of available opportunities and become productive members of society.
He noted that many youths were already engaged in agriculture, artisanship, sports and other productive ventures, assuring that his administration would continue to implement youth-friendly policies and programmes.
Youths Must Lead Fight Against Insecurity
The member of the House of Representatives representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency and Chairman of the event, Hon. Ojema Ojotu, described youths as important partners in development and custodians of the future of Benue State.
Ojotu urged young people to reflect on critical questions about the future of the state, including the type of Benue they wanted to inherit and the kind of leadership required to achieve it.
He identified unemployment as one of the major challenges confronting young people, while noting that insecurity continued to threaten peaceful coexistence in the state.
The lawmaker, who is Chairman of the House Committee on Inland Waterways, called on Benue youths and other residents to rise above political, ethnic, religious and personal differences and unite against insecurity.
“Together, we can build a safer, more peaceful and more prosperous Benue where every young person can live, work and pursue their dreams without fear,” Ojotu said.
9,700 Youths Benefited from BIPC Initiatives
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Mobilisation and Illegal Levies, Terver Gbenda, said youths had benefited from several empowerment and employment initiatives of the state government.
Gbenda claimed that more than 90 per cent of political appointees and political office holders in the state were youths.
He also said more than 9,700 youths had been engaged directly and indirectly through the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC).
According to him, 10,000 youths have received information and communication technology training, while 2,000 others have been employed by the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH).
He added that 5,000 youths had so far benefited from the Alia Cares programme.
Gbenda urged young people to avoid allowing themselves to be used for political or other purposes and subsequently abandoned.
He also appealed to the state government to consider appointing a Commissioner for Youth Affairs.
BIPC Boss Urges Youths to Acquire Skills
The Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr Raymond Asemakaha, expressed concern over the growing number of graduates entering the labour market without adequate skills to secure employment or create businesses.
Asemakaha said more than 60,209 young people graduated from higher institutions in Benue State in 2025, raising concerns about their readiness to participate meaningfully in the economy.
He urged young people to acquire relevant vocational, entrepreneurial and digital skills to enable them to become problem-solvers and contribute to the development of the state.
He warned against the emergence of what he described as a “wasted generation” if youths failed to acquire skills and take advantage of available economic opportunities.
Asemakaha encouraged young people to embrace skills development, innovation and entrepreneurship as pathways to self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.
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