The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia has promised to rebuild St. Francis Primary School, Agidi – Mbatiav, Gboko Local Government Area.
Governor Alia made the promise Sunday July 14, 2024 at St Veronica’s Parish, Agidi – Mbatiav during a thanksgiving Mass to mark 50th Priestly Ordination Anniversary and retirement from active ministration of Very Rev. Fr. Dominic Ukan Jir.
Very Rev’d Fr. Dominic Ukan Jir who is now 75 years old is the first Catholic priest of Tiv extraction to reach 50 years in his pastoral journey.
Speaking during the Mass, Governor Alia thanked God for the life of Fr. Jir whom he said was a positive motivational influence and source of inspiration for him to join the vocation of Priesthood.
The Governor, who acknowledged that Akpagher – Mbatiav was the very place he grew up and got his primary education, regretted that the football field of St. Francis Primary School Agidi – the school he attended has become a land upon which people were now farming.
He promised to erect storey buildings at the school and make it one of the points of reference for quality and affordable primary education in the state.
Governor Alia noted the outstanding contributions of Fr. Dominic Jir to the growth of the church in Benue State and beyond and prayed to God to continue to bless him with good health and also give him fulfillment in his retirement.
Earlier in a welcome address, the celebrant, Fr. Dominic Jir invited the Christian Community in Benue State to join him in the purest of their hearts to give thanks to God for guiding and protecting him to reach 50 years in his vocation as a Catholic priest.
Rev. Fr. Osbert Viashima who preached at the Mass thanked God for the life of Fr. Jir and called on Christians to always return to God in thanksgiving in all situations.
On the Governor’s entourage were the mother of the Governor , Mama Matina Katsina Alia, Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh represented by his wife, Cynthia Kundumyol Dajoh, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Joseph Alakali, Head of Service, Moses Agbogbo Ode, President, Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Cosmus Idye, other members of the Benue State Executive Council, Advisors, some Heads of Parastatals, and top government functionaries, amongst others.
Isaac Uzaan,
PSA to the Governor on Media & Content Creation
