By Governor Alia Media Centre
His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue State, is affectionately known to many as “Ohitty.”
Over time, the nickname has become a popular expression of recognition among his supporters, reflecting their perception of a leader who is attentive, decisive, people-oriented, and deeply connected to the aspirations of the people.
Born on 15 May 1966 in Mbangur, Mbadede, Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, Governor Alia was ordained a Catholic priest in 1990. He subsequently pursued further studies in the United States, earning a Master’s degree in Religious Education, with a focus on Psychology and Counseling, from Fordham University, Bronx, New York, as well as a Master’s and Doctorate degree in Biomedical Ethics from Duquesne University, Pennsylvania, USA.
Before venturing into politics, he was widely known for his pastoral ministry and healing masses, which brought him into close contact with ordinary people across Benue. Those years of service helped shape his understanding of the challenges, hopes, and aspirations of the people he would eventually lead.
One account often associated with the origin of the “Ohitty” sobriquet dates back to his seminary days when among fellow seminarians, the young Hyacinth is said to have declared with characteristic boldness:
“Yange me hitty bucks me due A Benue ke chan kengkeng.”
The expression, rooted in the Tiv language and reflective of youthful confidence, has been interpreted as a declaration of his determination to break the shackles of poverty and pursue greater prosperity for Benue State.
It is remembered by his supporters as an early expression of personal resolve and a vision that appeared to connect his own destiny with that of his people. Whether spoken in a moment of youthful camaraderie or with deep personal conviction, the statement is today regarded by many as a striking foreshadowing of the determination that would eventually take him from the seminary into public leadership.
Thus, “Ohitty” has come to represent, for his supporters, more than just a nickname, but an affectionate echo of the confidence and sense of purpose attributed to the young seminarian who dared to imagine a better future for Benue.
That same sense of purpose has continued to define his vision as governor, with his administration prioritising the early and regular payment of salaries and pensions, extensive infrastructure renewal, particularly road construction and urban development in Makurdi and other parts of the state, agricultural support, the revitalization of long-abandoned agro-processing industries, youth empowerment, rural development, and strengthened security measures.
These initiatives represent practical steps towards transforming Benue, Nigeria’s “Food Basket,” into a more productive, prosperous, and secure state.
For many who proudly use the name, “Ohitty” captures the continuity between the determined young seminarian and the governor he has become—a leader who continues to speak about service, results, transformation, and the future of Benue.
Ladies and gentlemen, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia — The OHITTY of the masses!