Commissioner Ijaguwa Urges Agatu Elders to Support Governor Alia’s Development Agenda

The Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Dr. Margaret Adamu Ijaguwa, has urged elders of Agatu Local Government Area to mobilize grassroots support for the re-election of the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, to enable him complete the numerous developmental projects ongoing in Agatu, Zone C, and the state at large.

Dr. Ijaguwa made the appeal on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, when she received leaders and elders of the Agatu–Enungba community who paid her a courtesy visit to congratulate her on her appointment as Commissioner and to identify with her as a proud daughter of the land who has continued to demonstrate exemplary leadership.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary for Secondary and Tertiary Education, Mrs. Helen Nambativ, the Commissioner warmly received the delegation, appreciating their show of solidarity. Mrs. Nambativ emphasized that their visit signifies the deep-rooted support Dr. Ijaguwa enjoys from her people and reaffirmed the Alia administration’s commitment to transforming Zone C through sustainable educational and infrastructural projects.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Chief Jerry Ochola expressed gratitude to Governor Alia for appointing their daughter into a key leadership position, describing Dr. Ijaguwa as a capable and visionary leader. He assured the Commissioner of the elders’ total support and prayed for her continued success in her service to the state.

Also speaking, Dr. Michael Omojo, a retired Permanent Secretary, lauded the Commissioner’s leadership qualities and charged staff of the ministry to cooperate with her to ensure the success of her mandate. He drew attention to the imbalance in teacher postings across the state, noting that rural schools — especially in Agatu — face acute shortages. He, therefore, appealed for urgent deployment of teachers to rural communities and for one of the Governor’s legacy educational projects to be located in the Apa–Agatu axis.

In response, Mr. Nic Joko, Director of Administration and Supply in the Ministry, disclosed that the Governor had already approved the establishment of a technical school in Agatu, even before the elders’ request was made. He assured them that the Ministry would continue to address their concerns and ensure fair educational development across the state.

The visit concluded with the presentation of gifts to the Commissioner and a group photograph session with the Ministry’s management team.