Hon. Scholastica Terngu Ben-Sor, Coordinator, Office of the First Lady of Benue State, has announced plans to roll out new women’s empowerment programmes across the state’s three senatorial zones as she rallied support for Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s administration during a visit to her ancestral home in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.

Hon. Ben-Sor disclosed this while addressing journalists during her visit on Saturday, October 17, 2026, explaining that the planned interventions would involve the provision of equipment and facilities to women to strengthen their livelihoods and economic activities.

She said her office had implemented empowerment initiatives in agriculture, information and communication technology, health and other sectors across the state’s 23 local government areas.

The coordinator also highlighted the contributions of the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, which she said had reached communities across the state through the wives of local government chairmen serving as coordinators.

Ben-Sor explained that the visit was intended to inform her people, particularly those in rural communities, about government programmes and achievements, as well as express appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the First Lady and Governor Alia for their support.

She described the occasion as an opportunity to bring information about government activities closer to the grassroots, noting that the initiatives had impacted lives across different sectors.

During the visit, Hon. Ben-Sor received a royal welcome at the palace of the Ter Katsina-Ala, HRH Chief Simon Gbakaan Tativ, who offered her royal blessings. She also held discussions with traditional and political stakeholders before proceeding to inspect ongoing projects at the Katsina-Ala Local Government Secretariat, executed under the leadership of the council chairman, Hon. Justin Shaku.

At a subsequent gathering at the stadium, the Chairperson of the Wives of Local Government Chairmen Association (WALGON), Mrs Dooshimna Shaku, described women as a vital force in the political process and urged them to participate actively in democratic activities. She also called for peaceful elections in which citizens would freely choose their preferred candidates.

The APC Woman Leader in Katsina-Ala, Mzahan Tyolumun, commended the governor for development projects across the state, efforts to address insecurity in the Sankera axis and appointments given to indigenes of the area. She also welcomed Ben-Sor’s appointment and called for continued support for the administration.

The Katsina-Ala Local Government Liaison Officer, Hon. Jerry Garza, acknowledged the government’s efforts towards restoring peace in the area, while the Provost of the College of Education, Katsina-Ala, Dr. Tyodoo Iwev, highlighted interventions in the education sector, including developments in the institution and the appointment of teachers.

The Katsina-Ala APC Chairman, Sylvester Mfatyoga, described the governor’s first-term performance as commendable, while Hon. Mimi Kadev, speaking on behalf of female appointees, said the administration had appointed women based on their track records and ability to promote unity.

Kadev urged residents to support government programmes and sustain efforts towards the development of the state.

The General Manager of Benue Links, Comrade Alexander Faanafa, expressed appreciation to the governor for appointing Ben-Sor, describing the appointment as a source of pride to Katsina-Ala. He said stakeholders in the area were committed to supporting the administration, adding that discontinuity could reverse development gains recorded so far.

The Deputy State APC Woman Leader, Mrs Mnena Zuku, speaking on behalf of the three zonal women leaders, pledged their support for the governor and commended Ben-Sor for her commitment to the administration. She urged women across the state to support the coordinator in discharging her responsibilities.

The Ter Katsina-Ala, HRH Chief Simon Gbakaan Tativ, also expressed support for Ben-Sor and the state government’s development efforts, while calling for continued backing for the Katsina-Ala Local Government Chairman.

The ALGON Chairman and Katsina-Ala Local Government Chairman, Hon. Justin Shaku, said stakeholders would mobilise residents to participate in the 2027 elections and opposed any undemocratic measures that could undermine the electoral process.

Hon. Shaku acknowledged the existence of pockets of insecurity in the Sankera axis but said the government was making efforts to restore peace. He thanked Ben-Sor for the visit and assured her of the local government’s support in carrying out her duties.

The visit brought together government appointees, women leaders, political stakeholders, traditional authorities and community members. Ben-Sor also extended goodwill gestures, including food items, wrappers and cash, to groups and individuals during the engagement.

Hon Kehe

Information Officer, Government House