The Benue Priest-Governor and Hopes of a Troubled Valley
Father Hyacinth Alia has been sworn in as the sixth civilian Governor of the State. During the oath of office, he pledged to lead and to serve Benue people, concluding with a succinct prayer: “So help me God.”
Today, Monday, 29th May 2023, is historic in Benue State. His Excellency, Father Hyacinth Alia has been sworn in as the sixth civilian Governor of the State. During the oath of office, he pledged to lead and to serve Benue people, concluding with a succinct prayer: “So help me God.” This ritual ushered in a new Benue government under the watch of a nonregular politician. It cannot be overemphasized that the stakes are really high on rescuing the State from its current economic and civil dilapidations.
The general mood of the moment appears to evoke the words of Psalm 30:5, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” It is crucial to note, however, that the undoing of a night of sorrow by the coming of a joyful morning is not auto-guaranteed in all situations. Based on past experiences of dashed hopes, the Benue expectation of joy from the new administration may not completely overrule some feelings of doubt and skepticism. It can be argued that having the best mechanic does not equal to fixing vehicles that have been crashed beyond repairs. One only hopes, though, that Benue has not been crashed beyond repairs, and with God’s grace upon the new Governor, every good thing is possible.
While we all hope for the best from our new Governor, the biblical story of Achan can help us reflect on everyone’s duty toward the new Benue of our dreams. When the Israelites invaded Jericho, they were given some instructions by the Lord. Among these instructions, no one was to take anything for himself. The consequence of violating this directive was the destruction of the whole of Israel (Joshua 6:18-19). Supported by God’s grace, the Israelites overpowered and destroyed Jericho. Unfortunately, Achan from the tribe of Judah defiantly took some of the things from Jericho for himself (Joshua 7:1). This act cost Israel a devastating defeat in a subsequent battle against the small city of Ai (Joshua 7:4-5). The story presents two important lessons for Benue citizens.
First, the resources of the State belong to God for the welfare of the people. The stealing of these resources by public officials causes calamity for the entire State. Invariably, a Benue without the theft of public resources would help revive its economy and bring its civil service out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Thus, officials of the new government must resist the temptation of how much money they can make from their offices and focus on how much improvement they can provide for the overall wellbeing of our dying State. Establishing the legacy of an improved society by one’s selfless service is more noble than unconscionably acquiring self-wealth that creates an environment of public distress.
Second, apart from praying for God’s help, the stolen things were retrieved and Achan had to be cast off from the community to restore the common good. This is contrary to our contemporary experience in which we live with those who have stolen public wealth and continue to celebrate them. The celebration of such personalities implicitly paves the way for a steady weaponization of poverty to advance the interests of those who float in questionable affluence. Until we begin to honor people on the basis of their good character instead of how much money they have, we will continue to be defeated in the battle against destitution and underdevelopment.
For our priest-governor, the people’s hopes for a better State have been expressed by the popularity of your candidacy and your sweeping victory at the gubernatorial polls. Your mothers danced. Your fathers rejoiced. Your sisters celebrated. Your brothers cheered. Your friends applauded. The support of Benue people for your political aspiration has not been based on how much money you have. Instead, Benue people believe and trust that you will not be as heartless as those who prefer to sit on people’s necks for dinner. Your enduring resilience through the many hurdles of the electioneering process is testament to an overpowering grace beyond humans.
In our treacherous agony of a troubled valley, we hope and pray that you may be blessed with graciousness to let God’s goodness comfort His people. God bless our new Governor! God bless Benue State!