From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
The Deputy Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Chief Mrs Lami Danladi Ogenyi, has said Benue women would rally support for Governor Hyacinth Alia’s re-election bid in 2027.
Mrs Ogenyi who said this on the floor of the assembly when the house passed a vote of confidence on the Governor, explained under his administration women have enjoyed full and active participation
She said for the first on the history of the State, women are occupying very strategic position including the seat of Deputy Speaker, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), all at the same time.
The Deputy Speaker, who represents the people of Ado State Constituency in the Assembly who supported the motion earlier moved by Pharmacist Thomas Dugeri also, pointed out the infrastructural development recorded across the state, including the construction of a road in Ado State constituency that was abandoned for about 25 years.
Danladi, who stressed that Governor Alia has performed “absolutely well”, pledged that they would support his second term bid, adding that by the grace of God, his second term would be a walk over.
She said, “I want to support this motion raised by Pharmacist Thomas Dugeri. This Vote of Confidence is timely and I am supporting it with all my strength because this is the first time in the history of Benue state that women are given more opportunities in governance. This is the first time in the history of Benue state that we have a female deputy speaker, we have the SSG as a female, we have the chairman of SUBEB, as a female.
“We asked for 35 percent affirmative action for women and you have given us above that.
“Your Excellency, we the women of Benue state want to tell you today that we are solidly behind you; that you have given us above our expectations. We want to thank you for all the opportunities you have given to this state”, she stated.
On issues of infrastructure, education and health, Mrs Danladi said, “We want to thank you for the infrastructure in our dear state. The Ado people want to thank you for fixing the road that has been abandoned for about 25 years, today we can move. Our pregnant mothers are no longer dying because of bad roads. Our father are now moving on good roads, all thanks to you.
“And in the history of Benue state, this is the first time we are having an underpass in Benue state and this is the first time we are having good road network and street lights.
“You have done so much that we no longer go to Teaching Hospital, Zaria, for treatment, rather, the Zaria people come to Benue for treatment because of the Doctors and facility we have at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.
“Your Excellency, you have given us above our expectations. When you talk about the educational aspect, you recruited more than 20,000 teachers to give our children quality education and I have every reason to support this motion and I am doing that with the whole of my heart.”
“We will continue to pray for you, and by God’s grace your second tenure is express”.
