Nigerian Concord Newspaper
The Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has been honoured with the African Leadership Award for Grassroots Development at a high-level African leadership gathering in New York, U.S.A.
Governor Rev. Fr. Alia attended the event alongside Zaki Asen, Special Adviser to the Governor on International and Global Partnerships, whose role includes supporting Benue State’s international engagements and strategic partnership initiatives.
The Benue Governor was recognised alongside distinguished African leaders and other global figures for their contributions to development and leadership.
Other honourees included The Honourable Philip Edward Davis KC, MP, Prime Minister of The Bahamas, who received the Distinguished Leadership Award for Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development; President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, who received the African Inspiration Leadership Award; The Honourable John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize, who received the Distinguished Leadership Award for Economic Resilience & Regional Integration; and President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, who received the African Inspirational Leadership Award.
The event also recognised leading African Diaspora personalities under the Top 40 African Diaspora Leaders category, including Chi Achebe, Sir Franklyn Wilson, Richard Campbell, Greg Hodge, Dolly Williams and Pastor Mark Burns.
For Benue State, Governor Alia’s recognition brings the state’s grassroots development agenda into a wider international conversation around inclusive development, investment, partnerships and sustainable economic growth.
The recognition also highlights the growing international visibility of Benue State and its efforts to attract partnerships and opportunities that can support development at the grassroots.
…..Meets UN Deputy SG
Meanwhile, while in the US, Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia , paid a courtesy visit to the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Hajiya @AminaJMohammed, in New York, as the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) draws to a close.
The meeting formed part of the Governor’s engagements at the UN General Assembly and provided an opportunity to acknowledge the Deputy Secretary-General’s continued goodwill and support for Benue State, particularly following her visit to the state earlier this year.
Governor Alia expressed appreciation for the significance of that visit, during which the UN Deputy Secretary-General engaged with communities and stakeholders affected by humanitarian and development challenges across the state.
He commended her commitment to the people of Benue and the attention she has continued to give to the state’s development priorities, noting that sustained collaboration with international partners remains critical to addressing humanitarian needs while advancing long-term development.
The Governor also reaffirmed Benue State’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the United Nations and other global institutions, particularly in the areas of sustainable development, peacebuilding, food security, humanitarian response and human capital development.
The engagement further reflects the Alia administration’s efforts to position Benue within the global development community and attract strategic partnerships capable of translating international cooperation into concrete opportunities for the people of the state.
Governor Alia was accompanied by his Special Adviser on International and Global Partnerships, Zaki Asen, who has been instrumental in supporting the state’s efforts to deepen strategic international relationships and connect Benue with global development opportunities.
The meeting ended on a cordial note, reinforcing the growing relationship between Benue State and the United Nations and the shared commitment to advancing meaningful development outcomes for the people of Benue.