Thousands of women welcome former minister at strategic town hall meeting; Benue Deputy Governor pledges support for Tinubu
Thousands of women in Benue State have welcomed and celebrated Dr Betta Edu as she marked her 40th birthday with a series of activities, including a visit to internally displaced persons (IDP) in the state and a strategic town hall meeting with women stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The women, who gathered in large numbers, received Edu with dancing and songs from the airport to the venue of the meeting, reflecting the enthusiasm surrounding her visit.
Edu, who serves as Co-Director of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council Women Mobilisation Directorate, was received at the airport by Hon. Scholastica Ben-Sor, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady Designate in Benue State, alongside women supporters from across the state.
She subsequently paid a courtesy visit to the Benue State Government House before proceeding to the town hall meeting and birthday celebration.
The event attracted Deputy Governor Sam Ode, who represented Governor Hyacinth Alia; Secretary to the State Government Deborah Aber; female commissioners, including Hon. Elizabeth Ogenyi; women government appointees; female vice chairpersons; wives of local government chairmen; and other women leaders.
Deputy Governor Commends Edu’s Support for IDPs
Speaking on behalf of Governor Alia, Deputy Governor Ode commended Edu for choosing to spend part of her birthday with internally displaced persons in Benue State.
He described her as a friend of the people of Benue, particularly vulnerable residents, and acknowledged her involvement in humanitarian initiatives.
“There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Dr Betta, you have been that friend to Benue people,” Ode said.
He also expressed confidence in the state’s political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections, declaring that Benue would deliver more than one million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Edu Charges Women on Grassroots Engagement
In her remarks, Edu thanked the women for the reception and acknowledged their support for President Tinubu, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Governor Alia.
She urged women leaders and supporters to intensify grassroots engagement by reaching voters in their wards and polling units ahead of the elections.
According to her, women would play a significant role in political mobilisation, and she encouraged supporters of the APC to campaign for the party’s candidates across the ballot.
Edu also highlighted the Tinubu administration’s initiatives, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), as well as road infrastructure and other development projects she said were creating opportunities for economic growth.
She further commended the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative for reaching vulnerable families and praised the Benue State Government for its reported investments in roads, housing, schools and primary healthcare facilities.
Ben-Sor Highlights Birthday Empowerment Initiatives
Ben-Sor praised Edu for what she described as sustained support for Benue residents, particularly people living in IDP camps.
She listed several interventions attributed to Edu, including 40 business start-up grants, 40 academic scholarships, 40 mobile hair-washing start-up kits, 40 sewing machines, 40 deep freezers and 40 grinding machines.
She also cited training programmes and a medical outreach reportedly benefiting more than 10,000 elderly and vulnerable people.
According to Ben-Sor, the interventions had supported beneficiaries, particularly residents of Ichwa IDP Camp in Makurdi.
She said Benue women would sustain grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections, expressing support for Tinubu and Governor Alia.
Birthday Celebration Ends with Donations
A major highlight of the event was a donation by Edu to support the women’s grassroots mobilisation activities.
The programme also featured the cutting of her birthday cake and her presentation in traditional Benue attire as a gesture of welcome and cultural appreciation.
The celebration combined humanitarian outreach, women’s engagement and political discussions as stakeholders began preparations for the 2027 general elections.