Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State says the state government has concluded arrangement to recruit 9,700 teachers to bridge existing gap in student-teacher ratio in the state.

The governor, who made the announcement during the burial ceremony of Tor Jechira, Chief Clement Uganden in Vandeikya Local Government Area, said the additional teachers would enhance teaching and learning in public schools in the state.

According to him, the gesture will not only provide employment for qualified youths, but also enable the government to deliver one of its core campaign promises of revolutionarising the education sector.

“The measure will address the shortage of primary and secondary school teachers and enhance the quality of learning in the state,” Governor Alia added.

He called for the setting up of Young Farmers Clubs across the state to promote the engagement of the state’s youth population in agricultural production.

Governor Alia said the government will support the clubs to access farmlands, tractors, fertilizers and other inputs.

“The aim is to ensure that people of the state especially farmers are not only self-sufficient, but can smile to the bank with the sale of their farm produce.

“I enjoin the youth, women and the elderly to collaborate with this administration to achieve the level of development we all desire.”

A former Governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Suswam acknowledged the development recorded by the Alia administration in the last one year and called for support for the government by all people of Benue irrespective of political divide.

He described late Chief Uganden as a man of integrity, whom during his life time stood for the truth, peace and development of the state.

“His demise has created a vacuum not only to the traditional institution but also the entire state and the country in general,” Suswam said.

By Bridget Tikyaa,

PSA on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communication