By Amos Aar
BENUE State is on the brink of a significant local milestone as the public inauguration of its homegrown beer, Zeva, is underway; the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) has announced, revealing that the first bottles have been slated for public consumption by Tuesday, December 23rd.
Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, Managing Director of BIPC, shared this news while reflecting on the state-owned company’s activities in 2025 on Monday during an interactive session with journalists in his office.
Asemakaha framed the brewery not just as a business venture, but as a catalyst for broader economic change. He emphasised that the project, now 98% complete, is a tangible symbol of a larger turnaround effort for the state.
“This is the first time since 1999 that the Benue economy is growing,” Dr. Asemakaha stated, connecting the brewery to improved livelihoods, just as he also noted that the initiative is deeply rooted in local sourcing, with 75% of its active ingredients procured from within Benue – a decision expected to directly boost local farmers and agri-businesses.
Beyond the beer, Asemakaha said the vision addresses urgent human concerns: job creation and practical skill development.
The brewery and associated agro-plants, he asserted, are projected to create over 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Acknowledging a gap between education and economic opportunity, Asemakaha revealed plans for “The Turning Point,” an initiative aimed at equipping students and youth with entrepreneurial and employability skills.
“We want to do what no other Managing Director has done… This is not about politics; it is about building sustainable businesses for the people of Benue,” he said, outlining a commitment to industrialisation and private-sector growth designed to ensure the state reaps the benefits of its investments from 2026 onward.
