Governor Hyacinth Alia has sworn in seven newly appointed commissioners into the State Executive Council, charging them to prioritise public interest and deliver tangible results.

Performing the ceremony on Friday in Makurdi, Mr Alia also inaugurated members of the Benue State Television (BTV) Board and a member of the Benue State House of Assembly Commission.

The new commissioners are Solomon Iorpev, Nicholas Eworo, Kuma Yenge, Roy Ashirga, Angwa Egbe, Elizabeth Ogenyi, and Amo Ankwa.

Mr Alia charged the commissioners to regard their positions as responsibilities to the people, rather than opportunities to serve themselves, friends or special interest groups.

According to him, his administration is founded on renewed hope, responsible governance, development and service to the people.

“Your ministries may differ in mandate, but our destination is one. Your work must ultimately contribute to the same objective: a strong, more prosperous, peaceful and sustainable Benue State,” he said.

The governor further urged the commissioners to work as members of one administration, stressing that the challenges confronting the people were interconnected and required coordinated responses.

Mr Alia also advised them to remain focused amid difficult decisions, competing demands, limited resources, criticism and pressure.

The governor assured the commissioners of his administration’s support and institutional backing but said the support came with the expectation that they would give their best to Benue people.

He urged them to remain accessible, visit communities, engage stakeholders and understand realities on the ground instead of relying solely on official reports.

Mr Alia further challenged them to deploy technology, data, creativity and modern management approaches to improve public service delivery.

“Our people deserve results. Give us results. At the end of your tenure, what will matter is not the number of meetings you attended or the length of your speeches but the difference your ministry made in the lives of ordinary Benue people,” he said.

The governor reminded the commissioners that public office was temporary, while legacies created through service could endure for generations.

He urged them to be “ministers of service, not merely holders of office” and conduct themselves in ways that would make their families, communities and the state proud.

Responding on behalf of the commissioners, Mr Eworo thanked Mr Alia for finding them worthy of the appointments.

He assured the governor that they understood the responsibility placed on them and would work to meet the administration’s expectations.

Mr Eworo acknowledged that public office came with criticism and pressure but pledged that the commissioners would remain focused and work with the governor to achieve his vision.

“We assure you that we will not disappoint you. We take this burden with us, and, at the end of the day, by the grace of God, the Benue citizens will be happy with us,” he said.

He pledged the commitment of the commissioners to work together and contribute to the development of Benue. 

(NAN)