Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has urged stakeholders across the North-Central region to come together to foster peace, uphold the rule of law, and enhance justice delivery in Nigeria.
Governor Alia made the call on Monday, July 27, 2025, while declaring open the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) North-Central Security Summit held in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. Themed “Strengthening Security, Rule of Law, and Justice Delivery in North-Central Nigeria,” the summit brought together legal experts, government officials, and civil society actors to address the growing security and justice concerns in the region.
In his keynote address, Governor Alia expressed appreciation to the NBA for initiating the summit and choosing Benue as the host state. He described the event as timely and significant, particularly in view of the multifaceted security challenges confronting the North-Central zone.
“It is our collective duty to unite in purpose and action,” the governor said, “drawing from our shared expertise and experiences to forge enduring solutions that restore faith in our institutions and ensure the safety and prosperity of our people.”
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a secure and economically viable Benue State, anchored on functional education, employment generation, and agricultural development. According to him, this vision cannot be achieved without peace and justice.
Governor Alia acknowledged the progress made in some previously troubled areas due to the concerted efforts of security agencies and community stakeholders. He emphasized the need for continuous innovation, transformative dialogue, and strong institutional support to deepen peace and justice across the region.
“In the past two years, we have invested heavily in our security architecture—supporting law enforcement with vehicles, reinforcing local security posts, and improving patrol systems. These steps are crucial in creating an enabling environment for justice and development,” he said.
He called on participants to commit themselves to the summit’s objectives, stressing that their contributions would help shape a more just, peaceful, and prosperous future.
Earlier in his remarks, NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, thanked Governor Alia for his leadership and support in hosting the summit. He described the event as a “resounding call to action” against the backdrop of rising insecurity in the country.
“The NBA remains committed to advocating policy reforms, promoting civic education, and ensuring that justice is accessible to all,” Osigwe said. “Our goal is to foster a justice system that protects the vulnerable, holds perpetrators accountable, and reinforces public trust.”
Present at the summit were Benue State Deputy Governor, Barr. Sam Ode; the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr. Fidelis Mnyim; members of the State Executive Council; and other top government functionaries.
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