By Tersoo Kula
The Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s journey from the pulpit to public leadership offers a strong reminder that the gospel is most convincingly preached through acts of service to humanity.
His dynamic approach in governance embodies the biblical teaching in James 2:18: which says, “Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith in my works.”
Through consistent, deliberate efforts to improve the welfare of citizens, the Governor in his two years in office has demonstrated that the Christian ministry is not limited to sermons on the pulpit, but is deeply rooted in fulfilling covenants and meeting people’s basic needs.
Although he is a priest, he has refused to use God’s name for propaganda and theatrics the manner others who were claiming to be born again Christians were doing in the past. And amidst challenges, including calculated evil mechanization from disgruntled elements in the state, he works quietly, yet delivers results that speak louder than any publicity. He is focused, disciplined, and driven by purpose rather than applause.
Instead of announcing his progress, using God’s name for legitimacy, influence and emotional appeal, he lets his impact do the talking. He does not chase attention or propaganda; he simply gets the job done with humility and consistency.
His achievements which are the fulfillment of his social contract with the Benue electorates may not come with noise, but their effects are undeniable and long-lasting.
Particularly, his administration’s emphasis on compassion, community development, and responsible governance epitomises Christ’s instruction in Matthew 5:16: which says, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Furthermore, by prioritizing social welfare, restoring dignity to public institutions, workforce and championing policies that uplift the vulnerable, Governor Alia practically translates spiritual values into tangible action.
It is therefore, safe to state emphatically that these acts of service not only strengthens society; they also inspire others to serve, showing that leadership anchored in faith can transform lives.
In essence, Governor Alia’s ministry teaches that preaching the gospel is most impactful when it is lived out.
His example reinforces the verity that service is one of the highest forms of evangelism, revealing how faith-driven leadership can illuminate a path of hope, humility, and collective progress for Benue State.
While responding to questions about why he is so committed to his work as Governor, the Reverend Gentleman said, “I have high personal expectations for the work I am doing. I came into believing that Benue’s basket was only broken and needed to be mended or patched, but I later discovered it required complete renewal.
”I knew the task would be Herculean, yet I accepted it. On taking office, I found the situation even more deplorable than I had imagined. That meant giving my sweat, and my utmost sacrifice, for the state.
”I am still doing so and will continue until the end of my second term because this mission means so much to me. I am giving my soul to Benue State.
”This is why I pay attention to details and demand accountability from those entrusted with responsibilities to serve the state. My expectation is excellence, and to achieve that, I must inspect what I expect.
”I am not just a Governor in the office; I am a field man. In priesthood, if you are not a field person, you cannot do the work. You must get in there, create the story, shape the narrative, and explain it to the people. When they understand, they choose to come on board, and then leadership moves forward. That is exactly what we are doing.
”The energy I draw comes from the masses, the very people who have put me on this seat through their votes. They are not tired; they still have their expectations.
”They know the bar we set has already been exceeded, but I want them to know we can set it even higher, beginning with this administration and into the future.
”With over seven million people in the state, we must constantly run, constantly be on the field, and constantly monitor progress for the impact to be felt.
”This is why we continue with Monitoring and Evaluation assessments and real-time programming.
”The masses are my motivation; they are my energy. When God speaks, remember that the people are the voice of God. So when they speak, I hear God’s voice, and I draw strength from it. That makes my job easier. Their support and allegiance push me forward. I do not create limits; I keep moving until we build a new Benue. Because it is possible.”
With Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, Benue shall be great again.
Sir Tersoo Kula, mnipr, is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia.
