The executive governor of Benue State Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Sunday, July 07, 2024 joined his classmates in a thanksgiving Mass
at St. Joseph Parish, Kornya to celebrate their 34th Priestly Ordination anniversary.
Speaking during the Mass, Governor Alia said the vocation of Priesthood was a very tough one but that God kept them going, stressing that in the last 34 years, they all had different stories to tell but the grace of God kept sustaining them.
The Governor said again that he has forgiven all those who worked against him in the last Governorship election, adding that the time for campings were over what was paramount now was to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of Benue state irrespective of their political affiliation and religious background
He stated further that his administration was committed to addressing poverty and hunger in the land, just as he advised the people, particularly the youth to embrace Agriculture to earn wealth and better their lives.
Governor Alia also reiterated the call for Benue people to form farm cooperatives to benefit from some of his programs
While calling on Christians to always support the clergy, Governor Alia said about one hundred and twenty of them were admitted into the major seminary but only thirty Six of them made it to the priesthood out of whom many have already passed on.
He expressed much love and passion for priestly vocation, saying he would go back to the church after his stewardship in politics.
For composing and singing a song in Tiv language with a lot of moral lessons.Governor Alia gave full scholarship including uniforms and books to Iorsoo Hosanna and Doris Terhemen both of JSS 2 at St.Joseph and Mary Secondary School, Kornya
Earlier in his sermon, Rev. Fr. Fidelis Akumbur phelle advised the people to always look up to God who has solutions to all human problems, calling on the christian community in Benue to sustain their prayers for Governor Alia to enable him complete the task ahead of him.
The Parish priest of Saint Joseph’s Catholic church Kornya City and one among the celebrants, Rev. Fr. Chief Emmanuel Doki thanked Governor Alia for his peaceful disposition and the good works he is doing for the people of Benue state.
Other classmates of the Governor at the Mass include Rev. Fr. Sylvester Omoke, Rev. Fr. Bernard Asogo, Rev. Fr. Marcellenus Yese, Rev. Fr. Francis Agba, and Bishop Thomas Ayoo Tsav of Methodist church amongst many other priests.
In company of the Governor were Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, the Majority Leader of the 10th Benue Assembly, Hon.Saater Tiseer, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Joseph Alakali, some.members of the Benue State Executive Council, Advisors, some top government functionaries, and Heads of Parastatals.
Isaac Uzaan