By Queen Kunde
The Group Managing Director of the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC), Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, has challenged youths in Benue State to take charge of the state’s development, declaring that “Benue will be built by you.”
Asemakaha gave the charge on Wednesday in Makurdi while delivering a keynote address, titled “Benue Will Be Built by You,”at the 2026 International Youth Day celebration.
He said the day should go beyond celebration and serve as a reminder to young people of their responsibility to the state.
According to him, youths must stop waiting for government appointments or recognition and instead become problem-solvers, entrepreneurs and job creators.
He urged them to look at major challenges facing Benue, including food insecurity and unemployment, as opportunities to create businesses and livelihoods.
“Be self-relevant,” Asemakaha told the youths, urging them to develop skills that can make them useful to themselves, their families and the state.
He pointed to the example of 17-year-old Eno Olokpo, who designed an artwork titled “The Builder,” describing it as proof that young people can demonstrate leadership, creativity and vision without holding any formal position.
The BIPC boss encouraged youths to take advantage of technology, agriculture and vocational training to create wealth.
He said a young person could learn coding and earn in dollars while living in Makurdi, just as skills in welding, tailoring and agro-processing could provide steady income and improve families.
Asemakaha noted that Benue has vast land, talented young people and strong human resources, saying these advantages should be used to build the state rather than relying entirely on government assistance.
He also called on youths to continually improve their skills in technology, agriculture, leadership, trade, creativity and public service.
Describing skills as the “bricks” needed to build a stronger Benue, he said government could provide the foundation, but young people must build the house.
He said the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia was laying the foundation for a new Benue, but stressed that the success of the transformation would depend greatly on the active participation of youths.
Asemakaha urged every young person in the state to pick at least one skill, master it and use it to contribute to Benue’s development.
“Benue will not be built by wishes. Benue will be built by you,” he declared.
He urged the youths to be relevant so they could not be ignored, self-reliant so they would not have to beg, and skilled enough to help rebuild the state.
“Rise first, and Benue will rise with you,”he said, wishing the youths a happy International Youth Day and continued progress for Benue State.
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