GOVERNOR ALIA’S OUTINGS IN NEW YORK DURING 81ST UNGA

GOVERNOR ALIA’S OUTINGS IN NEW YORK DURING 81ST UNGA

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

The just concluded 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York gave Governor Hyacinth Alia the opportunity to participate in some high-level diplomatic side events and bilateral sections relevant to the states agenda to secure international partnerships, attract global investments to the state.

The 2026 UNGA drew attention to development, investment, partnerships and Africa’s place in global decision-making.

For Governor Alia, the week also provided an opportunity to present what the state has to offer, meet with potential investors and development partners, and draw attention to the efforts being made to improve the lives of people at the grassroots.

Another notable moments of the Governor’s New York engagements was his recognition with the African Leadership Award for Grassroots Development at a high-level African leadership gathering.

The recognition placed Governor Alia alongside prominent African leaders, including President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, Prime Minister Philip Edward Davis of The Bahamas and Prime Minister John Briceño of Belize, who received awards in different leadership categories.

The gathering also attracted prominent members of the African diaspora and provided an opportunity for discussions on leadership, development and the relationship between Africa and the rest of the world.

The Governor’s presence reflected the administration’s efforts to build relationships outside Nigeria that could support Benue’s development plans.

The grassroots development award is significant because it draws attention to the Governor’s work at home and the need for development to reach ordinary people and communities.

But beyond the award ceremony, one of the more important aspects of Governor Alia’s visit to New York was his effort to use the gathering to attract opportunities for Benue.

In an interview after the UNGA engagements, he explained that his administration was using the gathering to establish contacts with investors and development partners at a time when the state was making progress in expanding its productive capacity.

Agriculture and industrialisation featured prominently in that discussions. The Governor spoke about the revival and establishment of factories in the state to process agricultural produce, including fruit and juice concentrates, while also highlighting renewed activity in the soybean value chain.

He emphasised that Benue should not continue to depend largely on the export of raw agricultural produce when the state can process its resources locally. According to him, more attention must be given to processing, manufacturing and investment so that more of the value created from Benue’s agricultural resources remains within the state.

The Governor’s comments on soyabean production also showed the connection his administration is trying to establish between farming and industry. As farmers return to the production activities for which Benue is traditionally known, the administration is looking to link increased production with processing facilities, markets and investment. The intention is to make agriculture more profitable for farmers while creating jobs and other economic opportunities around it.

Governor Alia’s New York engagements also touched on Africa’s voice in global affairs.

Reacting to calls at the UNGA for permanent representation for Africa on the United Nations Security Council, he argued that the continent’s contributions to global peace, stability and development should be reflected in the institutions where major international decisions are made.