A Birthday Tribute to the Reverend Father of PGF: Celebrating Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia of Benue State
Today, we celebrate not just a leader, but a phenomenon. A man whose life fuses the altar and the office, divine calling and democratic duty. On this special day, the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and the entire nation join the good people of Benue State in celebrating His Excellency, Reverend Father Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue State—fondly revered as the Reverend Father of the PGF. A man of depth, dignity, and divine devotion.
Governor Alia is not a politician in the conventional sense; he is a servant-leader guided by the unshakable compass of faith. He wears humility like a cloak and governs with a priest’s heart and a statesman’s resolve. He is loved and deeply respected not only by the PGF family but by Nigerians across political, ethnic, and generational divides. In an age where many seek power for its privileges, Alia has taken power as a platform for healing, service, and nation-building.
Governor Alia has brought moral clarity and strategic discipline to governance in Benue State. With full financial autonomy granted to local governments, civil service reforms that eliminated over N1.2 billion in ghost payments monthly, and stakeholder engagements that drive policy inclusion, he has rebuilt trust between the government and the governed. His leadership is a sermon in public accountability.
In a state once bogged down by infrastructural decay, Governor Alia is scripting a new narrative. From Makurdi’s capital renewal programme and LED street lighting to the reconstruction of major township roads and the commissioning of boreholes, infrastructure in Benue is no longer a dream deferred—it is a promise delivered.
Benue’s economic transformation is anchored in revived industries like Taraku Mills, increased IGR now at N1.2 billion monthly, and digitalised revenue collection. He has attracted investments, formed strategic alliances, and laid the groundwork for industrial innovation and diaspora collaboration. Benue is open for business, thanks to his faith-led foresight.
Under Governor Alia, education is being reborn—from classroom renovations and regulation of examination fees to digital literacy programmes and tertiary education reforms. With 10,000 youth trained in ICT and scholarships for science and medical students reinstated, Alia is not just governing—he is mentoring the future.
From free medical outreach in honour of his birthday to rehabilitating the Benue State University Teaching Hospital and upgrading facilities across primary and secondary care centres, Governor Alia is proving that healthcare is not a privilege, but a right. His faith in healing extends to society’s most vulnerable.
Through initiatives like ALIAS CARES, which supports women, widows, IDPs, and the youth, and grants to over 27,000 rural women, Governor Alia’s social policy is drenched in compassion. He understands that government must not only regulate lives but redeem them.
Governor Alia is returning Benue to its rightful place as Nigeria’s food basket. With tractorisation partnerships, oil palm expansion, farm input support, and the revival of agro-processing industries, he is feeding not only stomachs but also aspirations.
From hosting the first Benue Book and Arts Festival to investing in cultural diplomacy and youth creativity, Governor Alia is weaving culture into governance. His leadership recognises that people without culture are like rivers without a source.
Ten new progressive laws, dual probes of state finances, and decisive action against illegal levies reflect his resolve to institutionalise justice. His reforms are not vendettas—they are verifications of truth and justice.
With revamped security councils, deployment of local watch groups, support for the military and emergency personnel, and consistent community engagement, Governor Alia combines strategy with spiritual strength. Insecurity is being tackled with prayer and policy.
In a state prone to flooding and urban disorder, Governor Alia has embraced environmental governance. From flood control and drainage projects to tree planting and reforestation, he is proving that true dominion over the earth begins with stewardship.
Through football tournaments, ICT training, and digital infrastructure, Governor Alia is giving Benue’s youth more than promises—he’s giving them platforms. He has transformed youth policy from slogans to strategy.
What defines Governor Hyacinth Alia is not just his achievements—but the grace with which he governs. He puts God first in all things. His decisions are informed by prayer, driven by purpose, and executed with compassion. His love for the people of Benue is not rhetorical—it is sacrificial.
In the PGF family, we call him our Reverend Father. Not out of mere protocol, but because he is truly the conscience of the Forum—a spiritual beacon in the realm of policy and power. His commitment to his priestly vows has never waned; it has only expanded to encompass the entire State.
On this special occasion of his birthday, we call on the people of Benue—at home and in the diaspora—to stand by their Governor. Continue to support his mission, defend his vision, and unite under his banner of integrity and progress. He is not perfect, but he is purposeful. He is not loud, but he is luminous. He is not seeking power for himself, but seeking purpose for his people.
As you celebrate today, dear Governor Alia, may your strength be renewed like the eagle’s. May wisdom, grace, and divine favour continue to follow you. May your leadership never waver in conviction or compassion. Nigeria needs more like you—Benue already has the best in you.
Happy Birthday, our dear Reverend Father Governor. May God continue to bless you and Benue State abundantly.
Folorunso S. Aluko
Director General,
Progressive Governors Forum May 15, 2025
