.
By Nasir Kura
Professor Boniface Odeh, a community leader and Rector of School of Management Technology, Delta state, has said that the Igede people in Benue state have confidence in the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Odeh spoke Monday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by leaders of Oju/Obi local governments of Benue state to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, at Presidential Villa.
The leaders commended the administration’s commitment to improving security and economic development, degrading Boko Haram and confronting corruption headlong.
‘‘We align with President Buhari in all efforts to make Nigeria great again, especially in his Next Level mantra that will take us and place us on the path of greatness,’’ he said.
Congratulating the president on his victory in the February 23 presidential election, the community leader called on the president to keep his promise of running an inclusive government in the new administration.
‘‘We have confidence and great convictions in our hearts that it is only this administration that can address the imbalances and marginalization in the areas of Federal appointments, other federal presence and absence of good road networks in the thickly populated Oju/Obi Local Government Areas of Benue State,’’ he said.
Also speaking, chairman Oju local government Hon Austine Okwoche lauded the Buhari administration’s Social Investment Programme (SIP), saying Igede people have been proud beneficiaries of the N-Power programme and the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP).
He said public primary schools in Oju, cooks and indigenes of the communities have benefitted from the school feeding programme, while graduates from the communities have been employed in the N- Power programme.
He also thanked the federal government for the ongoing dualization of Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi expressway.
Responding, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, promised to pass their demands to the president and asked them to convey the president’s appreciation to the people of Benue State for their unflinching support.
‘‘A lot of people thought Benue was a no-go-area for the President during the presidential election but the President had a good outing in the State. I know the President will remember Benue when it comes to reward,’’ he said.
