Benue State Directorate for Diaspora Linkages and Investments

16/03/2026

16/03/2026

The Benue State Directorate for Diaspora, Linkages and Investments office,
Invites the Benue Diaspora Community to the second Benue virtual TOWNHALL community Interactive Session with His Excellency, the Governor of Benue State.
Special guest of honor:
Rev. Fr. Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia.
While Prof. Abraham Girgih, Director General, Benue State Directorate for Diaspora, Linkages and Investments is the Host.

Date, Saturday, March 21st, 2026.

Time: 10.00 pm Nigerian Time

Zoom ID : 916 4779 2513
Pass word : ONEBENUE

For enquiries, Pls call. +2347039886210 Nigeria, (WhatsApp only)
Or +1-557-232-4789 (USA)

You may also reach us via Facebook on Benue state Directorate for Diaspora, Linkages and Investments.

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04/10/2025

Date: 23rd September, 2025
Courtesy Visit to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security

The Benue State Directorate for Diaspora Linkages and Investments (BESDDLI) paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to meet with the Honourable Commissioner, Dr. Benjamin Ashaver.

Speaking on behalf of the Director General, Prof. Abraham Girgih, the Deputy Director General, Dr. John Kpetsum, who led the team, expressed gratitude to the Commissioner for granting audience despite his busy schedule. He commended the Executive Governor of Benue State, Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia for the timely appointment of Dr. Ashaver, describing it as a strategic decision given the pressing need to reposition agriculture in the state.

Dr. Kpetsum further encouraged the Commissioner not to relent in his efforts to place Benue on a positive and progressive path in the agricultural sector.

He also explained that the Diaspora Directorate had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security , during which the Directorate was asked to formally submit its requests and pleads that the commissioner follows up.

Dr. Kpetsum presented the acknowledgment letter from the request and appealed to Dr. Ashaver to use his good office to follow up and fast-track the commitments made by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in support of Benue State.

The commitments were outlined as follows:

1. Technical assistance in cultivating high-demand crops such as cassava, ginger, soybean, sesame, and cashew.

2. Provision of 21 tractors to be shared across the three senatorial zones.

3. Development of irrigation infrastructure for dry-season farming, targeting the acquisition of 50,000 units of solar water pumps and panels.

4. Supply of farm inputs , including herbicides, pesticides, organic fertilizers, growth enhancers, and seedlings to empower between 75,000 and 100,000 farmers by 2027.

In his response, Dr. Benjamin Ashaver apologized for keeping the Directorate’s team waiting, noting that his assumption of office has come with numerous engagements in the service of the people of Benue. He assured that, within his mandate, he would work to foster collaboration with relevant bodies and stakeholders in the agricultural sector to drive and implement impactful policies.

Dr. Ashaver also promised to follow up on the commitments made by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to ensure that Benue State fully benefits from the identified opportunities.

The Commissioner further urged that no one with knowledge or expertise should remain silent but should contribute meaningfully as the state strives to achieve sustainable growth in agriculture.

Doosuur Igba
Information Officer

04/10/2025

Directorate for Diaspora Linkages and Investments Pays Courtesy Visit to Federal Mortgage Bank, Makurdi Branch

Date: Monday, 22nd September, 2025
Location: Makurdi, Benue State

In line with the vision of the Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, to promote diaspora engagement and attract strategic investments into the state, the Benue State Directorate for Diaspora Linkages and Investments paid a courtesy visit to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Makurdi Branch.

The delegation was led by the Deputy Director General, Dr. John Kpetsum, on behalf of the Director General, Professor Abraham Girgih, who was absent due to official engagements. The team also included the Directorate’s Information Officer, Mrs. Doosuur Igba, and Administrative Staff, Rev. Dugh.

The purpose of the visit was to seek clarification and explore partnership opportunities on the proposed “Diaspora Village”, a housing initiative conceived by the Directorate to benefit members of the Benue Diaspora community. Dr. Kpetsum explained that the proposed Diaspora Village will comprise modern housing units integrated with essential facilities such as schools, hotels, a shopping mall, and recreational centers. He emphasized the Directorate’s desire to collaborate with FMBN, given the Bank’s pivotal role in advancing affordable housing and property investment across Nigeria.

In his response, the FMBN Makurdi Branch Manager, Mr. Godwin Yange, commended the Directorate for the innovative concept, describing it as a laudable step towards integrating the Benue Diaspora into sustainable housing development schemes. He informed the team that FMBN’s headquarters is currently partnering with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) on the Diaspora National Housing Fund (NHF) Mortgage Loan, a product designed to enable Nigerians abroad to register with the National Housing Fund, make monthly contributions, and access mortgage loans for homeownership in Nigeria.

Mr. Yange, however, clarified that state branches are expected to await formal directives and policy guidelines from the Bank’s national office before engaging directly in diaspora-specific projects. Nonetheless, he advised the Directorate to develop a practical and sustainable repayment plan for potential beneficiaries, stressing the importance of aligning the plan with beneficiaries’ income levels.

He further highlighted key preliminary steps necessary for the successful takeoff of the project, including:

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties expressing optimism for future collaboration. The Directorate pledged to incorporate the Bank Manager’s recommendations, particularly those on land acquisition and repayment models into its project planning. FMBN, on its part, assured the Directorate of its support and technical guidance once official directives are received from its headquarters.

Doosuur Igba
Information Officer
Directorate for Diaspora Linkages and Investments

01/08/2025

BESDDLI OPENS DOORS FOR DIASPORA INVESTMENTS

Benue State Directorate for Diaspora Linkages and Investments (BESDDLI) engaged the global Benue diaspora community in a collaborative session through a virtual meeting held via Zoom on Sunday, 28th July 2025 with Tiv Youth in Diaspora and Mzough U Tiv Russia (MUTRU) in active participation.

This engagement which was aimed to chart a progressive path for development in Benue State through strategic diaspora partnerships and innovative investment programmes was moderated by Dorcas Yongo who steered the agenda with great precison and clarity.

The meeting opened with a prayer by Mr. Joseph Abudar. Thereafter, welcome remarks were delivered by Chief Tuleun Terhemen (M.MAN) - President of Mzough U Tiv Russia (MUTRU), who emphasized the strategic importance of diaspora contributions to the development of Benue State. He encouraged participants to engage actively in the discussions and commit to actionable outcomes.

Goodwill messages were delivered from Mr. Aondona Terwase and several other diaspora representatives, all of whom expressed excitement and support for the new partnership platform being fostered by BESDDLI.

The highpoint of the meeting was a detailed presentation by the Director General of BESDDLI, Professor Abraham Girgih. The DG provided an in-depth overview of the directorate’s mission, strategic objectives, and current programmes designed to harness diaspora potential for the benefit of Benue State.

Explaining BESDDLI's vision and mandate, Prof. Girgih narrated that the Benue State Directorate for Diaspora Linkages and Investments was established by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, as a dedicated platform to bridge the gap between Benue’s diaspora and opportunities back home. The directorate’s core mandate is to mobilize diaspora resources from financial, intellectual, and cultural make-up to achieve sustainable development in key sectors such as agriculture, education, sports, health, and infrastructure.

According to Prof. Girgih, BESDDLI is not just an institution but a movement to reinvent the Benue spirit of community, innovation, and resilience by reconnecting Benue indigenes abroad to developmental initiatives at home. He stressed the importance of coordinated diaspora engagement, strategic investment facilitation, and knowledge exchange as critical pathways for economic empowerment and social transformation.

*Key Strategic Initiatives Presented:*

• *Benue Diaspora Agricultural Farm Project*
A flagship initiative under BESDDLI’s agricultural desk which seeks to launch a large-scale commercial farm beginning with cassava cultivation. The aim is to attract targeted diaspora investment, create employment for local youth, and introduce irrigation-based farming to improve food security and profitability. Investors can choose from two models:

• Profit Sharing Model: Return based on shared profit.

• Fixed Bond Model: Investment of ₦2.4 million with a guaranteed return of 25% principal + 5% interest.

• *Benue Diaspora Sports Ambassador* Programme
This initiative aims to leverage the influence and expertise of Benue-born sports icons such as Jon Alagh, Dooter Agom and many more to inspire youth, promote talent development, and establish sports academies that serve both educational and professional goals.

• *Benue Diaspora Education Support Programme*
This initiative is designed to facilitate international scholarships and academic exchanges. The programme will offer pathways for Benue students to study abroad while also encouraging academic sabbaticals for Benue-born lecturers in global institutions to share and transfer knowledge.

• *Benue Diaspora Multipurpose* *Cooperative Union*
In a bid to ensure sustainability and institutional memory, BESDDLI is supporting the formation of a diaspora-led cooperative union. This structure will enable consistent and collective investment actions across generations and serve as a funding and implementation vehicle independent of changing government administrations.

Dr. John Kpetsum, Deputy Director General of BESDDLI, further elaborated on the financial and technical modalities of the cassava farming project. He explained that the project offers robust value chain potential in processing, packaging, and export while being structured to ensure transparency, accountability, and investor confidence.

During the interactive session, participants expressed strong interest in the initiatives and sought clarification on operational timelines, legal frameworks, monitoring structures, and investment guarantees. The BESDDLI team committed to providing all relevant documentation, including investment prospectuses and legal assurances, to all interested diaspora investors.

In his closing remarks, the Director General of BESDDLI, Prof. Girgih reiterated that the development of Benue State is a collective responsibility and that the diaspora remains a crucial pillar in this transformation journey. He called on the Tiv Youth in Diaspora to see themselves not just as stakeholders but as co-builders of a prosperous homeland.

Prof. Girgih concluded by expressing heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia, He acknowledged the Governor’s strategic foresight in establishing BESDDLI as a dedicated institution to mobilize and coordinate diaspora investments. According to Prof. Girgih, the creation of BESDDLI is a testimony to Governor Alia’s belief in the power of partnership, the richness of the Benue spirit, and the untapped potential of its people across the globe.

We thank him immensely for giving this vision a platform to thrive,” he stated.

Doosuur Igba
Information Officer
Benue State Directorate for Diaspora Linkages and Investment (BESDDLI)

19/07/2025

MUTA Donates Humanitarian Aid to Yelewata IDPs Following suspected herdsmen Attack

Makurdi, Benue State – July 14, 2024

In the wake of the recent terrorist attack on the Yelewata community in Benue State, the Mutual Union of Tiv People in America (MUTA) has extended a vital hand of support to internally displaced persons (IDPs) through the donation of food, non-food items, and essential medical supplies.

The humanitarian intervention was facilitated by the Benue State Directorate for Diaspora Linkages and Investment (BESDDLI), which coordinated the direct delivery and distribution of relief materials to victims at the Yelewata IDP camp located at the International Market in Makurdi.

Representing the MUTA President, Professor Akaa Daniel Ayangeakaa, at the event was Professor James Gire, who led the MUTA delegation. He was accompanied by prominent members of MUTA , Dr. Diwa from the United States, Mrs. Tsafa (former MUTA Vice President), and Engr. Dr. Comfort Adadu, Director General of the Benue State Public Procurement Commission.

The visiting delegation was received by the representative of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management/Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), Sir James Iorpuu PhD and other key officials.

In his address, Prof. Gire expressed deep concern over the dire conditions observed at the IDP camp, describing the humanitarian situation as both urgent and heartbreaking. He called on the international community and humanitarian organizations to amplify their efforts in bringing aid to those affected by the ongoing violence in Benue State.
“Our visit here is not only to deliver relief materials but also to show solidarity with our displaced brothers and sisters. The crisis in Benue cannot be ignored. We must all rise in action to restore dignity and hope to those who have lost everything,” Prof. Gire stated.

Dr. John Kpetsum, Deputy Director General of BESDDLI, represented the agency’s Director General, Prof. Abraham Girgih. In his remarks, Dr. Kpetsum applauded MUTA’s unwavering commitment to humanitarian outreach, emphasizing that the group’s actions reflect a strong sense of responsibility and compassion for their homeland. He urged other well-meaning individuals and organizations to emulate MUTA’s example by contributing to the ongoing efforts to support IDPs across Benue State.

The representative of BSEMA, Mr. Robert Nyom, who spoke on behalf of Sir James Iorpuu, also commended MUTA’s timely intervention. He acknowledged the vital role played by the Directorate for Diaspora Linkages and Investment in facilitating the donation and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that the needs of displaced communities are addressed.

The relief materials were distributed directly to the IDPs, ensuring transparency and immediate impact. Additionally, medical supplies were formally handed over to the clinic management at the camp to boost access to healthcare services for camp residents.

Also present at the occasion was Ambassador Geraldine, Coordinator of One Love Nigeria and the World Kindness Movement, as well as staff from the Directorate for Diaspora Linkages and Investment.

This act of generosity by MUTA serves as a powerful reminder of the potential of diaspora communities to impact lives positively, particularly in times of crisis. It also reinforces the importance of partnerships between governmental and non-governmental entities in addressing humanitarian emergencies.

The visit concluded with a solemn prayer session led by Rev. Fr. Dr. Mario Akaatenger. In his intercession, he asked for divine strength, comfort, and protection for all IDPs, and prayed for their eventual safe return to their ancestral homes.

Doosuur Igba
Information Officer,
Directorate for Diaspora Linkages and Investment

21/05/2025

Benue Diaspora Community to a Virtual Town Hall Engagement.

Theme: Interactive session with His Excellency, the Governor of Benue State.

Date: May 25th, 2025.
Time: 10.00pm Nigerian Time
Venue: Zoom

21/05/2025

The Benue State Directorate for Diaspora Linkages and Investments office is inviting the Benue Diaspora Community to a Virtual Town Hall Engagement.

Theme: Interactive session with His Excellency, the Governor of Benue State.

Date: May 25th, 2025.
Time: 10.00pm Nigerian Time
Venue: Zoom

Prof. Abraham Girgih.
Director-General
Benue State Directorate for Diaspora Linkages and Investments
(Host)

His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Executive Governor of Benue State (Special Guest)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://umsystem.zoom.us/j/7700498130?pwd=TXJYY2tPYjFXaVRXQTZSaDVLdmgvQT09&omn=99032317023

Meeting ID: 770 049 8130
Pass word: OneBenue

For Enquiries:
Call:
+234 703 988 6210
*WhatsApp only: +1573 202 1741

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01/04/2025

GOV ALIA APPOINTS GIRGIH AS DG, DIASPORA LINKAGES AND INVESTMENT

Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024

The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has appointed Professor Abraham Girgih, as the Director-General, Benue State Directorate For Diaspora Linkages and Investments.

Prof. Abraham Girgih, whose appointment takes immediate effect, is a seasoned academic of international repute.

His strength lies in his ability to negotiate, mediate and mobilize for investments worldwide, using appropriate and effective global linkages for the benefit of his people as a true ambassador.

He has been supportive in enhancing the successful implementation of agricultural policies in the current administration of Governor Alia, by co-convening the Benue Food Security Team (BFST), which is composed of a mix of 25 Doctoral consultants and Professors in specialized areas of Agricultural production, extension, food processing and marketing, that developed the ‘Benue Food Security Document’ to help drive the agricultural production, extension services, food industrial and marketing sectors to succeed.

The Directorate For Diaspora Linkages and Investments, is established by the Governor, with the focus on bringing innovative linkages and investments that will be targeted on rural transformation and development, enticing the youths to stay back in the rural areas and invest their energies in Agriculture and farming, to enhance sustainability and stability, thereby reducing the current crime rate in the State.

According to the Governor, the Diaspora Linkages and Investments, is an emerging phenomenon and a much-needed area to help re-globalize the State in economic and social development processes.

The initiative would be in line with his understanding of the contributions of the diaspora towards the development of infrastructure, commerce and industries, which enables economies to build strategies for collaboration and partnership between source and destination economies, thus accruing benefits for the State and country at large.

The Governor also believes that the establishment of the Directorate would serve as a direct link between his government and diaspora experts, cutting off middlemen exploitation of the State and linking it directly with source companies that want to invest and do business on Benue soil, without undue hindrances and bottlenecks often put in place to frustrate
genuine investments.

He describes the economic and non-economic benefits of diasporas' involvement in the development of their home State and country as numerous.

He pointed out some of the benefits to include remittances, sourcing funds from overseas for investment in the State, transfer of skills and technology, promotion of entrepreneurship and creation of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) which creates new jobs for the youths, stimulation of international trade, promotion of democracy and good governance, as well as community development.

The Benue State Directorate For Diaspora Linkages and Investments will have its Headquarters in any convenient USA State and a Liaison office in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

While Governor Alia congratulates the new DG, he urges him to swing into action, bearing in mind the eagerness of his administration to prioritize the masses by providing them with dividends of democracy for entrusting him with their mandate.

Sir Tersoo Kula, MNIPR,
Chief Press Secretary.