MAKURDI – The Assistant General Secretary of the Mutual Union of Tiv in the UK (MUTUK) and Managing Editor of The New Times (TNT), Dr. Kurannen Baaki, has stated that MUTUK remains deeply invested in the progress of Benue State. He emphasized the MUTUK’s willingness to engage in initiatives that foster a “One Benue” and a greater future for the state.
Dr. Baaki shared these remarks at the One Conference in Makurdi, the state capital, held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Benue State. Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the MUTUK President Chief Victor Bemdoo Aleva, he highlighted the vital role of the diaspora in regional growth.
”MUTUK is more than willing to work with you to continue bringing Benue State together,” Dr. Baaki said. “We want to continue emphasizing engagement so that Benue will be one, Benue will develop, and Benue will be great.”
Earlier at the event, Engr. Lawrence Kyuka delivered opening remarks cautioning citizens against spreading negative narratives about the state. He urged indigenes to be mindful of how their public commentaries affect the state’s reputation.
Echoing the call for solidarity, CP Iorbee Ihagh (retd), President General of Mdzough U Tiv Worldwide (MUTww), identified a lack of internal cohesion as a primary barrier to progress.
”There is nothing more important than unity and peace,” CP Ihagh stated. “If the people of Benue were united, I believe we would be far more developed than we are now. Currently, we are not united.”
Despite these challenges, the MUT leader maintained that the Golden Jubilee is a milestone worth celebrating. “Fifty years is no small feat, and we must thank God for guiding us this far. Have we fared well? Even if we haven’t reached our full potential, we have every reason to be grateful. We are alive, and we are moving forward,” he said.
Turning to the state’s security challenges, CP Ihagh called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deploy additional troops to the region. He stressed that ending the attacks by armed herdsmen is critical to ensuring that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) can safely return to their ancestral homes to farm and contribute to national food security.
