From Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Benue State governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, has donated assorted food items, toiletries, a cow and cash to selected orphanages as part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary.
The benefitting orphanages include NKST Orphanage Foundation Mkar, Tivid and Gidan Bege, Makurdi, Children of Mary Orphanage Otukpo, as well as Benue State Rehabilitation Agency, Apir.
Making the presentation at NKST Orphanage Foundation Mkar, Governor Alia represented by his Special Adviser on Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Scholastica Bemsoo, said it was a deliberate way of showing kindness and inclusivity to the less privileged and vulnerable children across the state.
Delivering the items on behalf of the governor in other orphanage homes, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Internal Affairs and Special Services, Paul Okoh, said the governor made the donation because of his passion for the welfare of the less privileged in the society, charging them to remain hopeful and maintain peaceful coexistence among themselves for the progress of the state.
He urged Benue people to sustain their support for his administration to enable him take the state from where it is to greater heights of development, arguing that within one year in office, he has touched all sectors of the economy.
The governor called on Benue people to come out en-masse and vote for credible candidates that the All Progressives Congress, APC, has presented in the forthcoming local government election for enhanced development at the third tier of government.
Responding separately, the Director of NKST Orphanage Foundation Mkar, Pastor Timothy Nongo, expressed appreciation to Governor Alia for the items and appealed for more of such gesture to enable the foundation effectively provide humanitarian services for the people.
Founders of Gidan Bege, Pastor John Mai Tivid and Favor Ada, and the Children of Mary foundation, Mary Ogenyi, commended the governor for remembering the less privileged and prayed God to bless him with wisdom and good health to continue to render service to the poor masses.
On his part, the Executive Secretary, Benue State Rehabilitation Agency, Alexander Mbakindiir, thanked Governor Alia for his act of charity towards the less privileged, especially children in orphanages, pointing out that it will serve as an encouragement to them.
