By Felix Umande, from Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has called for a deeper strategic partnership with the United Nations to tackle the state’s humanitarian, agricultural and climate challenges, insisting that Benue is prepared to convert its vulnerabilities into long-term resilience.

The governor made the appeal on Thursday at Government House, Makurdi, while hosting the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, on her official visit to the state.

Framing his administration’s request around food security, climate resilience and human dignity, Alia said Benue’s future hinges on collaborative global action rather than short-term interventions.

“What we seek is not charity, but collaboration. Not isolated projects, but integrated systems. Not temporary relief, but lasting transformation,” the governor told the UN delegation.

Describing Benue as Nigeria’s “Food Basket of the Nation,” Alia noted that the state occupies a critical position in Nigeria and West Africa’s food systems but remains under severe strain from farmer-herder conflicts, climate-related shocks and a humanitarian caseload of more than 500,000 internally displaced persons.

Since assuming office in 2023, he said, his government has pursued an integrated development agenda aimed at rebuilding institutions, restoring dignity and unlocking economic opportunities across key sectors. “We are not waiting for change, but building structures that enable change,” he added.

On education, the governor disclosed that his administration has rehabilitated more than 375 public schools, recruited 9,700 teachers at the basic education level, rolled out free education policies and established new technical and higher institutions.

In the health sector, he listed the rehabilitation of 104 rural health centres, revitalisation of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, and expansion of maternal and child healthcare services as key milestones.

Alia said strategic road and transport projects are being deployed to link rural and urban economies and unlock agricultural productivity, while over 10,000 youths have already been trained in digital skills under the state’s ICT empowerment programmes.

He stressed that humanitarian response remains central to his administration’s priorities, particularly in conflict-affected communities. “These are not just interventions; they are pathways from displacement to dignity,” he said, referencing shelter provision, farmland allocation, livelihood restoration and post-crisis rebuilding efforts in Yelewata for internally displaced persons.

To consolidate gains, the governor formally sought UN collaboration in five strategic areas: climate resilience and restoration of the River Benue; agro-industrial mechanisation; human capital development in education and health; community stabilisation and security; and the creation of a Benue SDG Transition and Resilience Financing Facility.

Reaffirming the state’s ambition to become a model of sub-national transformation, Gov. Alia declared: “Benue is ready to lead, to partner and to deliver results that matter — not just for the Benue people, but as a model for Nigeria and the global community.”

By Wale Gbadebo
As African economies continue to evolve, notable disparities persist in the strength of national currencies, particularly in exchange rate value.
Latest data for March 2026 identifies the ten strongest African currencies, underscoring levels of economic stability, trade influence, and the impact of monetary policies across the respective countries.

1. Tunisia – 2.93 Tunisian Dinar
   The Tunisian Dinar ranks as Africa’s strongest currency in 2026, underpinned by the country’s relatively stable economy and solid trade position in North Africa.
2. Libya – 6.38 Libyan Dinar
   The Libyan Dinar remains the country’s official currency and is widely used despite years of economic strain linked to prolonged instability.
3. Morocco – 9.34 Moroccan Dirham
   The Moroccan Dirham reflects a stable economy supported by tourism, agriculture, and phosphate exports.
4. Ghana – 10.95 Ghanaian Cedi
   Ghana’s Cedi plays a central role in West Africa’s economy, driven by the country’s strong export base in gold and cocoa.
5. Botswana – 13.78 Botswana Pula
   The Pula—meaning “rain” in Setswana—symbolises wealth and stability in Botswana’s diamond-backed economy.
6. Seychelles – 14.35 Seychellois Rupee
   The Seychellois Rupee is sustained by the island nation’s tourism-driven economy, a key pillar of its revenue base.
7. Eritrea – 15.00 Eritrean Nakfa
   Introduced in 1997, the Eritrean Nakfa reflects the country’s efforts to maintain monetary independence.
8. South Africa – 17.09 South African Rand
   The South African Rand remains a dominant currency in southern Africa, playing a pivotal role in regional trade and commerce.
9. Swaziland – 17.16 Swazi Lilangeni
   The Lilangeni, pegged to the South African Rand, serves as Eswatini’s official currency and underscores regional monetary cooperation.
10. Lesotho – 17.17 Lesotho Lot
    The Lesotho Lot, also linked to the Rand, circulates alongside it and supports the country’s domestic trade and monetary system.
    Source: The Nation

From Felix Umande, Makurdi

The Benue State House of Assembly has taken a decisive action to address the Nigerian Air Force’s alleged atrocities in Ugondo and Mbaivur communities by summoning the Commissioner of Lands and Director of Lands to provide it with relevant documents related to all land allocations to military formations in the state.

The move followed a motion by Hon. Douglas Akya, representing Makurdi South State Constituency on Tuesday during plenary, who highlighted the intimidation, harassment, and land grabbing by the Air Force.

The House further called on the Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Army to immediately cease all forms of intimidation and harassment allegedly being carried out by their personnel against the host communities.

The House also mandated its Standing Committees on Lands, Surveys and Solid Minerals and Local Government, Security and Chieftaincy Affairs to investigate the matter and report back within two weeks.

During the plenary, the Benue State House also passed into law the Benue State security and trust fund bill into law.
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‎The bill which seeks the establishment of the Benue State Security Trust Fund to create a pool of funds for the acquisition and deployment of security equipment to end security challenges in the State was passed after scaling through a third reading during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga.
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‎ Part of the funds, according to the bill, shall be reserved for the training and retraining of security personnel to enable them to contend with the current security needs of the state.
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‎The Honourable Speaker directed the clerk of the House, Dr. Bem Faasema Mela, to make clean copies of the bills for the governor’s assent.
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Speaker Rt Honourable Berger Alfred Emberga emphasized the importance of addressing insecurity and existential threats in Benue State hence the bills were passed unanimously by members.