— As Committee of friends honours Kogi HoS, says he has uphold the core values of deligence, integrity and commitment to excellence
Close Associates of the Kogi State Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Elijah Adeiza Evinemi, hosted him to a reception on Friday, where stakeholders raised serious concerns over the escalating violence in Benue State, calling on the Federal Government to act decisively to end the killings and avert a potential national food crisis.
Kogi State Head of Service, (HoS), Elijah Adeiza Evinemi, recently bagged a Doctorate degree.
Speakers at the event, stakeholders described the situation in Benue as a growing national concern and emergency that threatens both lives and livelihoods.
In their various submissions, they however commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for the proactive steps taken so far to solve the security situation in the country, particularly his recent visit to Benue state to reassure the people of government’s commitment to their safety.
Speaking with Journalists on the sideline of the occasion, the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Dr. Salisu Usman Ogbo, stressed the economic significance of Benue to the nation.
“Benue is widely known as the food basket of the nation,” he said. “From grains to vegetables and livestock, the state plays a central role in feeding millions across Nigeria. If this violence continues, we risk plunging the country into a major food crisis.”
The Head of Service, Mr. Elijah Evinemi, echoed the concern, urging the Federal Government to take swift and strategic action to restore peace in Benue.
“This is not just a Benue problem; it is a national concern,” Evinemi stated. “We cannot sit back and watch a vital food-producing region descend into chaos.”
Also speaking, Comrade Onuh Edoka, Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo on Labour Matters, called for coordinated efforts to tackle the root causes of the conflict, including land disputes, criminality, and the displacement of communities.
“Security must be strengthened, and dialogue mechanisms must be put in place to address long-standing grievances,” Edoka advised. “The time to act is now.”
The traditional ruler of Ebiraland, His Royal Majesty Muhammed Tijani Anaje, urged a multi-sectoral approach, combining military intervention with community reconciliation.
Kogi State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Gabriel Amari, added that the economic implications could be dire if decisive steps are not taken.
“Already, food prices are soaring,” he said. “Further disruption to food production will hurt the poor the most. This crisis must not be allowed to fester.”
The stakeholders jointly called for enhanced security deployment, support for displaced persons, and robust conflict-resolution mechanisms. They stressed that unless swift action is taken, the deteriorating situation could spiral into a larger national disaster with far-reaching consequences.
Stakeholders however commended the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for placing security on the front burner in the state, saying that in spite of the challenges, Kogi still remain one of the safest state in Nigeria.
Earlier the chairman of the organizing committee, Alhaji Adeiza Momohjimoh, said the journey of life of Dr. Evinemi is a testament to the power of dedication, perseverance and hardwork.
Speaking further he said “from a humble beginning, he joined the state civil service with a secondary school certificate and has since risen through the ranks, earning a first degree, master’s degree and now a PhD. His unwavering commitment to self-improvement and academic excellence is an inspiration to us all.
He noted that as Head of Service, Dr. Evinemi’s Leadership is undoubtedly guided by his core values of diligence, integrity and commitment to excellence, saying “we are confident that his vision, expertise and passion for public service will propel our state’s civil service to unprecedented heights. We are already seeing signs for bumper harvests for Kogi State civil servants.
In his response, the highly elated Head of Service, Dr. Elijah Adeiza Evinemi, thanked the organizers for putting the event together, describing the gathering as a celebration of resilience, perseverance and the unwavering support of the people who have shaped his journey.
In his words “Through diligence and God’s grace, I rose through the ranks, from clerk to the pinnacle of civil service leadership. Along side my professional growth, I pursued academic excellence, reaching the highest qualification of a doctoral degree and attaining the distinguished titles of a chartered accountant and certified forensic accountant, all while in service. He noted.