By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has assured students in the state that his administration would reposition the State Scholarship Board to support indigent students schooling in tertiary institutions to acquire quality education, especially in the area of skills acquisition.
The governor who was addressing stakeholders and supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, at an expanded caucus meeting in Makurdi, told the people that his administration intends to send more youths to acquire different skills to prepare them as employers of labour after training, announcing that the first batch that went for a similar exercise in China has returned, and that more would be sent.
He also revealed that his administration intends to launch a security outfit of about 10,000 personnel drawn from the Community Volunteer Guards, Vigilante Group and the Livestock Guards to complement the efforts of other conventional security agencies to restore permanent peace in the state.
He further disclosed that hilux vans and motorbikes have already been procured to enhance mobility of personnel during desperate situations.
The governor called on Benue people particularly youths to always submit themselves at any security checkpoint for scrutiny, pointing out that the measure was to assist government flush out criminal elements within the state.
Governor, Alia equally told the gathering that with his recent trip to the United States of America, USA, and following various business engagements during the trip, the state is already opened for businesses as many foreign investors have indicated interest in coming to the state for business.
He warned those in the habit of de-marketing the state through negative comments against the government to desist or be ready to face consequences of their actions.