Benue 2035 Summit: Governor Hyacinth Alia has challenged participants to produce practical strategies that can attract investment, create jobs and improve the quality of life across the state.
The governor spoke at the opening of the Benue 2035 Economic Transformation, Capital Formation and Prosperity Summit at the Fr Alia Conference Hall, SEMA, Makurdi.
He urged participants to focus on solutions that the government and private sector can implement. He also warned against producing another policy document that would eventually gather dust.
According to Governor Alia, Benue has significant economic potential. However, he said potential alone cannot transform the state.
“Potential, by itself, does not transform a society,” he said.
Instead, the governor called for a clear process that turns economic potential into opportunities, investment and productive activities.
He said these steps must ultimately generate jobs, increase incomes and improve living conditions for residents.
The Benue 2035 Summit therefore comes at a crucial time for the state as policymakers, business leaders and other stakeholders examine ways to strengthen economic growth.
Alia said the meeting must deliver clear decisions, measurable outcomes and practical guidelines.
Furthermore, he stressed that participants must move beyond discussions and develop strategies that can produce visible results.
The governor’s message places implementation at the centre of Benue’s long-term economic plans.
Rather than simply identifying the state’s challenges, the summit is expected to develop workable approaches for turning its resources and opportunities into sustainable economic benefits.
For Benue, the challenge now goes beyond identifying its potential. The key test will be whether the ideas generated at the summit can translate into investment, employment and better living conditions by 2035.
