BENUE State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Wednesday inaugurated the Central Planning Committee (CPC) for a thanksgiving service and homecoming reception in honour of Sen. George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in his home state, Benue.
The governor, who is a godson of Senator Akume, did not say who will bankroll the thanksgiving ceremony and reception, and how much the event would cost or may have been budgeted.
The CPC is chaired by Arc. Sunny Echono, the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), and members drawn from all the six states in the North Central geopolitical zone, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Governor Alia described the SGF as the most senior-ranking member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who has made his people proud hence the need to give him special recognition and honour.
“Let us give appropriately, honour to whom honour is due”, Governor Alia stated during the inauguration.
The governor added that the home-coming of the SGF is not only a Benue event but that of the entire North Central and should be given proper planning.
Responding, the committee’s chairperson, Arc. Echono, thanked APC North Central and the Government of Benue State for finding them worthy to serve in that capacity.
He promised on behalf of other members to commit their time and work diligently with a view to making the event a huge success.
The governor, who is a godson of Senator Akume, did not say who will bankroll the thanksgiving ceremony and reception, and how much the event would cost or may have been budgeted.
It is however assumed that the bill, which will include accommodation, feeding, transportation, allowances and logistics, will be picked by the Benue State government, a situation seen by many as extravagant in view of the poor state of the state’s treasury, with several months of owed salaries and pensions.
Earlier in his welcome address, Austin Agada, the chairman of APC in Benue State, paid tribute to Sen. Akume for his political exploits and accomplishments, emphasising the need for the North Central states to honour him with a grand reception.
The committee’s members include Prof. Joseph Alakali, Hon. Mrs. Beckie Orpin, Hon. Mrs. Dorothy Mato, Hon. James Ornguga, Senator Emmanuel Udende, Dr. Stephen Tsav, Chief Mike Onoja, Barr. Mike Aondoakaa, Mukhtar Shagaya (Kwara), Prince Mathew Kolawole (Kogi), Alhaji Nma Kolo (Niger), Hon. Yakubu Kwanta (Nasarawa), Hon. Jude Dakor (Plateau), Hon. Yakubu Adamu (FCT), Hon. Asema Achado, Hon. Lady Helen Atom, Hon. Godwin Dajoh, Senator Titus Zam, Alhaji Mohammed Hassan, Hon. Terhemen Shom, Moses Atagher, Joe Abaagu, Hon. Tony Sende, Terdoo Kenti, Asema Lazarus, Aondoaver Alfred Emberga (Berger), Cephas Sado Adom, Moses Okoh and Jacob Obande Ajene.
Others are; Edire Lina, Christiana Samu, Prof. Christopher Obute, Barr. Vincent Uji, Hon. James Tor, Bishop Pinot Ogbaji, Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi, Mrs Theresa Ikwe, Linda Ene Dirisu, Barr Pius Akutah, and Comrade Vitalis Hwande, Secretary
No date has been fixed yet for the homecoming, reception which is believed will feature an interdenominational thanksgiving church service in Makurdi.
