By: Henry Iyorkase, Makurdi:
All walks read to Agidi Shangev Tiev in Ugambe of Konshisha Local Government Council of Benue State For Celebration of 71st birthday of Secretary to the Government of the federation SGF Senator George Akume and Birthday jointly organised in their honour including Dr Mathias Byuan, an executive director with housing, finance and accounts to mark his 50th birthday celebration. The occasion also withnessed fundraising for the completion of building of the Church of the Holy trinity whereby about #58.6 million was raked in during the event.
The ceremony witnessed unveiling of Dr Mathias Byuan Community empowerment foundation for the less privedledge in the State.
Speaking during the occasion the State chairman of the Party in Benue State, Mr Austin Agada who described Sen. Akume as an uncommon leader over whose shoulders the party in the state stands tall and continue to enjoy unity, pleaded with the SGF to in the next election year allow all candidates seeking elections on the platform of the party in the state to individually go out and canvas for votes and feel the heat on the field. Agada describe Dr. Byuan as a Party loyalist who has suffered to build the party and called on all Benue people to keep supporting the SGF and the Tinubu administration to succeed.
In his remarks, the leader of the party in the North Central geopolitical zone and Secretary to the government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume appreciated Dr. Mathias Byuan for his political courage, dedication and tolerance for being one among the aspirants who did not take Governor Alia to court after the primary election in 2023.
Sen. Akume reiterated the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards providing more dividends of democracy to Nigerians at large and Benue State in particular. He cited the example of the dualization of the Makurdi to 9th mile road and called on the youths not to allow their land to be destroyed, charging them to always question all forms of deceit and emphasizing that everything done using the common wealth of the people should be spelt out clearly together with figures for easy understanding.
The SGF called on Comrade Austin Agada, whom he described as the lawful Chairman of the Party in the state to receive all decampees with a promise of providing them with equal opportunities in the Party.
The former Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, who described Sen. Akume as the undisputable leader, father and benefactor said politics is a game of interest and above all to deliver dividends of democracy to the people. He appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Benue sons and daughters into positions of authority in his government. Chief Ortom described Byuan as a determined young man whom they share a humble beginning at the motor park. Ortom encouraged industrialization and thanked Sen. Jacob Tilley Gyado for leading him through the path of industrialization and finally prayed for God’s mercy and goodness to follow Sen. George Akume now and forever.
The chairman of the occasion, Jacob Tilley Gyado praised Sen. George Akume as the emancipator and political compass of Benue State and called on the people to rally around him and President Tinubu to succeed. He appreciated the celebrant, Dr. Mathias Terwase Byuan for his commitment and dedication to building the APC in the magnitude that surprises him. He informed the people that he followed Sen. George Akume for long in politics and there is no blackmail that will stop him from following George Akume because politics is about loyalty. He added that George Akume delivered Tinubu and a Catholic Priest who has political experience and so, there is no disputing the leadership of Akume as the leader of the party in the state and in the North Central. He concluded by noting that nobody reaps where he did not sow and calling on Dr. Byuan to sustain the gesture of building the Party.
The Celebrant, Dr. Mathias Terwase Byuan welcomed the guests and pledged his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Sen. Dr. George Akume. He informed the people that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given money lavishly to Benue State through the Alia led administration and called on the governor to live up to his responsibility of delivering dividends of democracy to the people and stop complaining and causing political upheavals in the state. Byuan promised that Konshisha and Benue would produce more votes in 2027 and disclose the commissioning of the Dr. Mathias Byuan Community Empowerment Foundation for the less privileged in the state.
Former permanent secretary, Hon. Mrs. Helen Atom called for unity of purpose among the APC family in the state so that they could tap the dividends of democracy from Sen. George Akume who has the anointing of God and is blessed by Him.
Earlier in his homily, the bishop of Katsina-Ala Diocese, His Lord Bishop, Isaac Dugu enjoined christians to imbibe the virtues of love, sustained prayer in the family for their children, and advised that the old things should be buried in the old year and forgiveness of one another should be embraced as the new year begins by putting Mary the mother of Jesus and God first. He emphasized that prayer is more powerful than AK-47 riffle and admonished that prayers should be sustained for good mothers who are capable of holding the house.
Bishop Dugu called for sustained prayers for Dr. Mathias Terwase Byuan whom he described as fearless, hardworking, dedicated, ambitious, humble, God fearing and above all, someone who loves and care for others. The bishop prayed for Byuan to succeed in his assignment with the President Tinubu led administration, calling on him to liaise with the SGF to facilitate employment for Benue indigenes as well as plead for the completion of the University project embarked upon by Dr. Byuan years back, so that the school will commence admission and lectures. On his part, His Lordship Bishop Avenya, the Bishop of Gboko Diocese advised Christians to always follow the right protocol in doing things to the glory of God.
The CPC chairman and Managing Director of Federal Mortgage Bank, Dr. Terlumun Akputu earlier in his welcome address, appreciated the guests for gracing the occasion in their numbers. He also commended the people of Benue State for standing behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the SGF, Sen. George Akume.
The occasion was attended by Hon Oladimeji Olatunde Ojo Managing Director/CEO Federal Housing Authority FHA, Former Gov. Samuel Ortom , Hon. Engr. Terlumun Utsev , Sen. Emmanuel Udende, Sen. Titus Tartenger Zam, Sen. Jacob Tilley Gyado, Elder Akange Aundu, Elder Simon Shango, Rt. Hon. Dickson Tarkighir, Hon. Sesoo Ikpagher Gboko, Hon. Terseer Ugbor, Hon. Asema Achado, Hon. Sekav Iortyom, Prof. Terhemba Shija, Hon. Johnathan Agbidye, Hon. Chief Mrs Becky Orpin, Hon. Terkume Akya, Dr. John Tor Tsuwa, Rev. Aernyi, Members of the State Working Committee, Groups and other party stakeholders amongst others.
Highlights of the occasion were the fundraising held new year to complete the building of the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Agidi, Ugambe, Shangev Tiev, Konshisha LGA, Benue State and the unveiling of Dr. Mathias Byuan Community Empowerment Foundation by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, and the cutting of the cake by the Chief celebrant, Dr. Mathias Terwase Byuan.
