Students’ Group Rally Behind Prof. Sebastine Hon, Protest Poor Hostel Conditions, Welfare
Forum of university student leaders from the JS Tarka University of Agriculture, Makurdi and the Benue State University, Makurdi pose for a photograph with the Director General, Sebastine Tar. Hon Campaign Organisation, Dr Ngutor Anyam FNIVS (seated) in the latter’s office in Makurdi on Tuesday.
Forum of university student leaders from the JS Tarka University of Agriculture, Makurdi and the Benue State University, Makurdi pose for a photograph with the Director General, Sebastine Tar. Hon Campaign Organisation, Dr Ngutor Anyam FNIVS (seated) in the latter's office in Makurdi on Tuesday.
University student leaders in Benue State on Tuesday declared their full support for Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate Prof. Sebastine Hon SAN while decrying the deteriorating hostel and sanitation conditions on campuses in the state and accused the Hyacinth Alia‑led government of neglecting student welfare
The declaration came during a solidarity visit to the Director‑General of the Sebastine Tar. Hon Campaign Organisation, Dr. Ngutor Anyam FNIVS, in Makurdi.
Christian Aondongu, coordinator of the Hon Va Youth Movement 2027, said students have been hard hit by current policies. “As student leaders, we can testify that students have been neglected. Government has no incentives for students. Our hostels are bad and the toilets are not fit even for our worst enemies,” he said.
Comrade Terfa Kator, chairman of the Benue State chapter of the National Association of University Students (NAUS), lamented the absence of state scholarships and said students admire Prof. Hon for his record of awarding scholarships.
Comrade Ode Francis, coordinator of the National Association of Zone C Students at Benue State University (BSU), described the Alia administration as “anti‑students” and said many undergraduates lacked a candidate until they found Prof. Hon. “We are uplifting the candidature of Prof. Hon,” he said. The group announced plans for a solidarity march ahead of the 2027 elections.
Zaki Godwin Akpen of the STH Campaign Organisation urged students to remain committed. “You are leaders right now. If you want a better tomorrow, your ideas for real development will make a difference. This government has not taken care of the security of the people. Your future is now. Be sacrificial,” he said.
Dr. Ngutor Anyam welcomed the endorsement and pledged the campaign organisation’s full support. He said students who help elect Prof. Hon would be “part of the history of making Benue State great.”
Recalling his own university days, Dr. Anyam said he once bought a meal for 50 kobo and expressed concern about the decline in Nigeria’s public service and higher‑education system. He alleged that a previous proposal by a Chinese firm to build hostels for Benue State University was blocked by university management, which he claimed sought financial gain instead.
Dr. Anyam outlined priorities the STH campaign would pursue if elected, including renewed scholarships, industrialisation, sports development and greater export of agricultural produce and talents.
The meeting ended with chants of solidarity for the SDP candidate.
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