Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has reaffirmed his commitment to the spiritual and social development of the state. He stated this while speaking at the NKST MIM Fellowship Biannual Conference, which was held at Amaafu in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.
Addressing participants at the conference, who were drawn from seventy-six classes worldwide, the Governor also declared that his re-election in 2027 is a done deal, citing the MIM as the primary springboard for his 2023 victory. Governor Alia, who attended the event dressed in the official MIM regalia signifying his title as the Ishuwen I NKST (Support of NKST) Worldwide, was received by the top hierarchy of the church, including the President of NKST Synod, Rev. N.A. Adure, and the MIM Director, Rev. Agema Jime.
Governor Alia, while addressing the central tent of the camp, praised the NKST family for its long-standing culture of inculcating moral norms and breeding disciplined and vibrant citizens, even as he commended the intellectual efficiency of participating members, particularly in the Bible recitation categories. Special mention was made of Melchizedeck Fanen Tim, who recited a staggering four thousand four hundred and thirteen verses, and Mama Esther Gir, who recited over two thousand verses in the aged category.
To reward this excellence, the Governor distributed cash prizes of two hundred thousand, one hundred and fifty thousand, and one hundred thousand respectively to the top three candidates across five categories, while those from fourth to tenth positions received flat-rate consolation sums of fifty thousand each.
The Governor re-echoed his belief that the MIM serves as a doorway to success, recalling that the movement was instrumental to his emergence in 2023, and assured that the 2027 journey would be even more successful than his previous outing.
Speaking during the visit, the MIM Director, Reverend Agema Jime, noted that the commitment of Governor Alia to the church predates his political career, stating that his support has remained consistent over the years and offered prayers for the Governor, highlighting the spiritual and physical needs required for the long-term sustenance of the Amaafu Camp.
On his part, the President of NKST Worldwide, Reverend N.A. Adure, expressed gratitude to the Governor and his team for ensuring the welfare of the campers. He specifically acknowledged the tireless efforts of the Executive Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGC, Hon. Justin Shaku, alongside Commissioners Hon. Fredrick Ikyaan, Hon. Alumo Orpin, Hon. Kwaghgba Amande, and Hon. Benjamin Ashaver, among other key officials, including the Benue RAAMP boss, Hon. Stephen Numbeve, as well as Dr. James Ivever and Comrade Alexander Fanafa, towards ensuring a successful camp.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of a Special Award of Honour to Governor Alia by Rev. Adure, officially designating him as the Grand Patron and Chief Supporter of MIM. Meanwhile, beyond immediate relief, the Governor ordered the sinking of five motorized boreholes with immediate effect and launched the construction of permanent tents to replace temporary structures across the camp. Governor Alia also donated an eighteen-seater bus, two thousand bags of rice, and twenty million naira for the welfare of MIM members
