The Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, was abuzz on Tuesday, 17 September 2025, as stakeholders gathered for the official unveiling of the Benue State 2027 Roadmap, a blueprint designed to address the state’s pressing challenges of insecurity, unemployment, and political leadership.
Organized by Markolima Consultancy Academy in partnership with the Nigerian Good Governance Initiatives, the event was chaired by Chief (Dr.) Terlumun Akputu, JP, Executive Director of FHA Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.
A major highlight of the event was the endorsement of the roadmap by prominent Benue sons and daughters, including Dr. Simon Ater, who emerged as one of the most passionate voices at the gathering. Dr. Ater, widely known as a tech innovator and advocate for good governance, placed strong emphasis on youth empowerment, industrial development, and tackling insecurity as the pillars for a stronger and united Benue.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Ater lamented the worsening security crisis in the state, stressing that young people, who are often neglected, remain at the heart of the problem.
“We need to imbibe discipline otherwise, in the worst-case scenario, everyone is a suspect. We need to know and to understand the nature of the issue of security in Benue. What is the major challenge between the states? Who are the insiders inviting criminals to come and destroy our state? No sane society will be distraught by security challenges without an insider,” he said.
Dr. Ater further underscored the urgent need to industrialize the state and create job opportunities for the youth.
“Another thing is we have to build industries so that the youths can be engaged. The challenge is if you cannot take care of the youths, what are you doing in creating jobs? Infrastructural challenges are also a major factor because farmers are not able to transport their farm products from their villages to the cities and this is definitely affecting our economy. Because the economy is stagnant, nothing seems to be working, and insecurity becomes the order of the day,” he added.
The unveiling also featured a thought-provoking presentation by Prof. Zachary Gundu on “Insecurity and Political Leadership in Benue State,” as well as contributions from other stakeholders including Dr. Jeffrey Kuraun, Surveyor Godwin Tyoachimin, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, and Dr. Tersoo Loko.
While various voices lent their support to the vision of a united and prosperous Benue, it was Dr. Ater’s call for youth-driven solutions and industrial revival that resonated deeply with participants, setting the tone for the roadmap’s implementation.
The event ended on a hopeful note, with the roadmap seen as a bold step toward a better, united, and insecurity-free Benue come 2027.
