Tersoo Kula: Benue is blessed in the hands of priests
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Benue State, since its creation over 50 years ago, has produced two Catholic priests as governors. The first was the late Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu. He was Benue’s second civilian governor. He assumed office in January 1992, and barely 18 months into his tenure, he, like other governors across […] Tersoo Kula: Benue is blessed in the hands of priests
Benue State, a region formed over 50 years ago, has been fortunate enough to be led by two Catholic priests as governors. The first, the late Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu, served as Benue’s second civilian governor from January 1992, and despite his tenure lasting only 18 months, his impact has been significant. Under Adasu's leadership, the first state-owned university in Nigeria's North, the Benue State University, was established, along with the College of Education, Oju, and the J. S. Tarka Foundation.
His efforts towards industrialization led to the founding of BENCO Roof Tiles Company at Abinsi in 1992, among other projects. As a result, the university was later renamed in honor of Father Adasu. The institution continues to shape Benue's educational landscape, graduating more than 50,000 students who have contributed to nation-building and excelled in their respective fields.
A second priest, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, also became governor, with his administration building upon Adasu's foundation. Alia has expanded higher education through the establishment of the Faculty of Engineering at Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area, and the creation of the Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology.
He has also focused on infrastructure development, improving mobility and security, addressing flooding, and modernizing communities. In economic development, Alia has pursued industrial revival through initiatives like the Benue Investment and Property Company, rehabilitating moribund enterprises and agro-allied manufacturing, and establishing the Food Basket Brewery.
Education has also seen improvements, with the recruitment of 9,700 primary-school teachers and the upgrading of 444 school structures across the state. In healthcare, the administration has enhanced facilities at Benue State University Teaching Hospital, expanded services at the Muhammadu Buhari Mother and Child Hospital, and committed funds towards a cancer treatment center.
Governor Alia's administration represents a new phase in Benue's search for purposeful governance, showing that even a brief tenure can create lasting institutions of value.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Post Nigeria's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
