Alia announces plan to upgrade College of Education in Oju

Governor Hyacinth Alia has announced plans to upgrade the College of Education in Oju into a larger institution, as part of what his administration describes as a broader push to expand tertiary places for young people in Benue State.

Alia made the announcement at a town hall meeting with residents of the Oju and Obi federal constituency held at the college, during a statewide tour. He said the institution would take on a new name once the upgrade is completed, and assured the constituency that the Oju-Awajir road under construction would be finished.

The governor also said the Igumale cement factory in Enone would be revived, adding that experts had assessed the plant and that rehabilitation work would begin. Deputy Governor Sam Ode listed road construction, agro-processing investment, healthcare and security measures among the administration's interventions in Benue South. Neither a timeline nor a cost for the college upgrade was given at the meeting, and the change of status of a state college in Nigeria normally requires legislation by the state assembly and accreditation by the relevant federal regulator.