Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, has said that the state has been enjoying relative peace in the last four months, adding however, that more needs to be done to enjoy lasting peace.
This was as he said that Benue still remains the most hospitable state in the country for all.
Governor Alia, who stated this on Tuesday, during the graduation ceremony of Course 9/2023 of the Air War College, which took place at the Nigerian Airforce Base, Makurdi, the Benue State capital, said that the relative peace was as a result of the presence and support of the armed forces in the state.
He noted that the presence of the armed forces in the state and their continuous engagement in significant events, will create confidence and hope for the people and enable them to sleep with their eyes closed.
Alia thanked the Federal government and the Nigerian Armed Forces for their continued support to the state, saying that even though it is a happy day for the grandaunts, it was more of a happy day for the state, adding that for his administration that just came in a few months ago, the success recorded by the graduands happened under his watch and as such he feels elated.
While congratulating the Air Force for the milestone, the Governor charged them to continue to be good ambassadors even as they serve their fatherland.
Earlier in his address, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for constantly repositioning itself with a strong focus on human capital development, aimed at curtailing the threats posed by insurgents and armed bandits in Benue and Nigeria at large.
He said the War College will enhance critical thinking in the Nigerian Airforce and will also provide proactiveness in the military decision making processes, calling on the officers to always respect their call to duty.
He thanked the governor for finding out time out of his busy schedules to attend the graduation ceremony, saying Governor Alia has demonstrated his willingness to collaborate with the Nigerian Armed Forces and as such, they will give him the needed support to ensure that the most desired peace is restored back in Benue.
