Governor Hyacinth Alia, fondly called the "Capacity Reverend Father," launched a controversial empowerment initiative on July 27, 2025 wheelbarrows to over 150 women in Benue State.
The event, held in Makurdi, aimed to support women in transporting agricultural produce amid ongoing security challenges that have disrupted farming activities in the state.
However, the initiative has sparked mixed reactions across social media and local communities.
Governor Alia, a Catholic priest and the state’s chief executive, defended the program, stating that the wheelbarrows, branded with the slogan "Alia Cares," are designed to assist women in moving farm produce to markets, particularly in areas affected by insecurity from herder-farmer conflicts.
“Since Fulani herdsmen attacks have limited access to farmlands, these durable, high-capacity wheelbarrows will help women sustain their families by facilitating small-scale trade and transport,” Alia said.
The wheelbarrows, with sturdy steel frames and 100-liter capacity, are intended to enhance mobility and economic resilience.
The initiative follows Alia’s broader efforts to empower Benue’s youth and women, including the Benue Tech Skills program, which has trained over 10,000 youths in digital skills.
However, the wheelbarrow distribution has drawn comparisons to a 2017 controversy under former Governor Samuel Ortom, who faced criticism for a similar empowerment scheme involving branded wheelbarrows. Critics on social media platforms argue that the initiative perpetuates poverty rather than addressing its root causes.
Supporters, however, praised Alia’s gesture as a practical response to the state’s agrarian challenges.
The initiative has fueled polarised discussions, with some hailing it as a creative stopgap and others mocking it as inadequate for 21st-century empowerment.
Governor Alia is yet to respond to the criticisms but is expected to address the controversy during his next public appearance.
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