Mrs Mike Abiola at Actress Golda John’s Diamond Jubilee in London last weekend.
After holding six different portfolios in the administration of Dr Suswan, the stage now beckons to erudite political scientist Dr Eugene Tarkende Aliegba to take over the helms of affair in Benue State.
If experience in the political terrain, academic achievements and a youthful vision is anything to go by, then Dr Aliegba deserves to be “awarded” the governorship of Benue State come 2015. The thoroughbred academician who hails from Gwer Local government of the state has virtually trans versed all the vital portfolios in the present regime, where he has left his footprint of achievements. The 50 years old Associate Professor of Political Science has equally rose through the ranks of academics, first as Graduate Assistant, Assistant lecturer, Lecturer 11, and rising meteorically to becoming Associate Professor in less than ten years. He has held all the positions one can think of in the Faculty of Social Sciences – Dean of Students Affairs, Deputy Dean of Social Sciences, Head of Department of Political Sciences and Head of various committees, including being a member of Senate of the Benue state University, before joining the Benue State Government in July 2007 where served as Honourable Commissioner for Education, Rural Development, Works, Housing and Sports as well as Agriculture – his last appointment before his resignation, following his willingness to contest the gubernatorial election next year in the state. Serving in these various ministries has endeared him to the people and equipped him with the vital experience and exposure necessary for the onerous job of governor. Dr Aliegba who has visited not less than 24 countries of the world in the course of his governmental duties, said his achievements speak for themselves. At the ministry of education, he was responsible for the introduction of one model science and technical laboratory in each senatorial zone namely GSS Naka, GSSS, Anyim and GSS, Ojun as well as massive rehabilitation of school for the efficient smooth running of the basic and secondary education in the state. He also introduced and encouraged compulsory boarding in schools in the state. His streak of development spread to the rural sector where electricity and roads where extended to vast communities The well-travelled technocrat told the African Voice that he intent to transform the state with a master plan referred to as the Benue State Development Strategy. According to him, the document “is still undergoing inputs from various stakeholders and opinion groups”. The document which focuses on six main areas namely Value Reorientation, Infrastructural Development, Agriculture and Industry, Social Sector focusing on youth education, culture and tourism as well as Security is intended to transform the state to another level.
In this interview with the African Voice, Dr Aliegba tells readers of his optimism in the race and his vision for the state.
African Voice – You have a herculean task considering the number of politicians gunning for the governorship seat such as Mike Aondoakaa, Dr Samuel Ortom, and Dr Gabriel Nyitse etc.? What do you think are your chances of winning?
Dr Aliegba – My chances are that I have first entrusted this project unto God’s hands. I pray and ask him to look at me and the heart he has created and given me and if he so finds me fit to use to look after his people in Benue so I am prepared. Secondly, my background, training and personal disposition to things as a human being shows I am prepared for an assignment of this nature. I am by nature one who promotes and protects the interest and rights of the less privileged and I believe I can serve well. For others, I don’t talk about much since I believe the public that knows us well should be allowed to judge but I am certain my chances are bright.
African Voice – What is the relationship between you and Senator David Mark who can
be regarded as a political heavyweight in the Benue political dispensation?
Dr Aliegba – The relationship I have with Senator Mark is that he is an Elder Statesman in Nigeria, number three in the nation and a top member of my party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and most importantly the number one person representing my state (Benue) at the Federal level. I have enormous respect for him as a great politician and a good representative of our people.
African Voice –Do you have the support of the present Governor, Mr Gabriel Suswam?
Dr Aliegba – Well, I am a foundation member of the Administration of H.E. Governor Gabriel Suswam. I was a member of the group that drew up his popular programme “Our Benue our future” and on taking office as governor, he invited me to join him in government to support him implement the agenda of the programme. After nearly seven years of stewardship I sought his permission to leave his Government and contest and indeed it will be good for a member of the Suswam administration to take over and continue so as to enhance the principle of continuity in governance which is really lacking in the Nigerian governance process. To that extent I pray and expect he should find me a good candidate that he can support. That’s all I can say on this.
African Voice –What do you intend to do differently if you are elected governor?
Dr Aliegba – The programmes I will carry out will first be built on what Governor Suswam has achieved. I served in his administration in five ministries and with the new ministries of science and technology and housing carved out of ministries I had served in makes it seven ministries that I led. As a member of the Benue State Executive Council for almost the entire two tenures of Governor Suswam, most if not all policies of the administration had my inputs. I will therefore continue with them and introduce new programmes and projects where there is need.
African Voice – Do you have a master plan to transform the state?
Dr Aliegba – Yes, I have a master plan. It’s now named Benue State Development Strategy. It is a document still undergoing criticism and inputs from various stakeholders and opinion groups. It has a broad focus on six main areas namely Value Reorientation, Infrastructural Development, Agriculture and Industry, Social Sector focusing on youth education, culture and tourism etc. then Security and finally partnering with the international community.
African Voice – How do you intend to solve the insecurity issues in the state if you are elected bearing in mind the problems between the Tivs and Fulani herdsmen?
Dr Aliegba – The security problem is caused by an old tradition of animal livestock farming which entails the Fulani moving cattle from one end of the country to another, this brings them in conflict with farmers because of the destruction to farms by the animals. But a new dimension which has developed is when armed cattle breeders forcefully and violently takeover farms and villages to grace. This became worse when much of the state especially the Tiv areas and Agatu LGA in zone C were so much affected. The Benue State Government did set up committees to look into the crisis. One committee was led by General Atom Kpera for the Tiv areas and the one on the Idoma areas led by General Onoja. I believe that what we need to do will be to implement the approved Government white paper that will arise from this since the Atom Kpera committee has already submitted its report and a white paper committee already set up. It must be stated clearly that polices and traditions must change. Nigeria is not among the top 25 cattle owning countries in the world but top in cattle crisis. As for the general security, it is to continue to enforce security measures, on the ground enlighten our people on how to monitor their environment and also step up activities that will productively engage our youths.
African Voice – What is your assessment of the Jonathan administration and Mr President’s desire to contest the Presidential election in 2015?
Dr Aliegba – I strongly believe the Jonathan administration is doing well. As an insider I share in the pains and frustration of a leader whom a section of the country believes is occupying a seat which should be theirs hence resort not to see anything good in the administration. Secondly he is operating at a time of serious security challenges hence one can generally say he has done quite well to be appreciated. He is calm, refused to be provoked and generally working hard to keep the country as one united entity. Sectoral achievements are also numerous in infrastructure, agriculture, transportation etc. As per his desire to contest, first as a person, he has a personal right to make a decision and if he does, he gets my support. Secondly, the PDP family where he belongs will sit and consider the matter and when they so decide we the members will surely stand by it.
