Kula Fires Back at Critics, Slams Ityavyar, Lists Landmark Education Achievements — Calls Governor Alia’s Policy a Revolution.

By Raymond Enoch

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Sir Tersoo Kula, on Thursday launched a fierce rebuttal against recent criticisms of the state’s education policies, describing the remarks made by Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, former Commissioner for Education under the Ortom administration, as “disturbing insinuations carved in backlashes.”

Speaking during a press briefing held at the Government House, Makurdi, Kula accused Ityavyar of hypocrisy and an attempt to distract the public from the real progress the Alia-led government is making in reshaping the educational landscape of Benue State.

“It is unfortunate that someone who presided over the rot in the education sector for eight years would now have the audacity to criticize a government that is focused on fixing the mess he left behind,” the CPS said pointedly.

Also noted is Kula presentation of a compelling case for Governor Alia’s performance in the education sector, detailing what he described as “unprecedented achievements within just two years in office.”,

He put them succinctly to include, etablishment of the Benue State University of Science and Technology, Ihugh: The new institution has already received a license, land allocation, and funding. He added that construction is currently ongoing, with principal officers appointed, signaling a major leap in science and technical education access.
He also pointed out that resolution of Industrial Crisis in Tertiary Institutions, which he said the administration successfully negotiated peace with striking university lecturers by paying 38 months of earned allowances, a rare feat unmatched by even many federal institutions.

He dropped statistics of over 9,700 qualified teachers have been employed to revive public primary education in the state, adding that a total of 16 government-owned colleges and secondary schools are undergoing full-scale rehabilitation, while 225 public primary schools are either being renovated or completely rebuilt. Notably, many now feature multi-storey classroom blocks—a first in several local government areas.

Institutional Reforms: The administration established the Benue State Bureau for Quality Assurance, which has identified and is addressing over 4,000 substandard private schools, either through mandated upgrades or closure.

Expansion of Technical Education: A Faculty of Engineering has been added at the Moses Orshio Adasu University to cater to the growing demand for technical and STEM-based disciplines.

Student Welfare Initiatives: A Student Insurance Scheme, developed in partnership with NICON Insurance, now covers all public school learners. Additionally, bursary allowances of ₦200,000 each have been paid to 131 Benue law students across Nigerian law schools.
Free Exam Registrations: Over 18,000 final-year public secondary school students had their WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB fees fully paid by the state government.

“These are not projects on paper. They are visible, measurable, and impactful. Governor Alia is not here for praise-singing; he’s here to deliver real results,” Kula declared.

Turning the spotlight on Prof. Ityavyar, Kula questioned the moral standing of the former commissioner, blaming him for the collapse of the School of Nursing and Midwifery in Makurdi—an institution that, according to Kula, was nearly run aground during his stewardship.

He also alluded to unresolved allegations of scholarship fraud and illegal levies imposed on students during the previous administration.

“The same individual who watched Benue’s schools crumble is now attempting to mount a moral high horse. It’s laughable. The people know better,” Kula said.

According to him, forensic audits ordered by Governor Alia have unearthed significant financial discrepancies from the last administration, some of which are now subjects of ongoing investigations.

He suggested that Ityavyar’s recent public attacks were part of a “preemptive move to stir public sympathy ahead of potential probes or prosecution.”

Addressing the absence of elaborate commissioning ceremonies for some completed projects, Kula remarked:

“What matters is not how many ribbons the governor cuts, but how many lives the policies touch. Governor Alia prefers delivery over drama.”

He concluded with a challenge to critics: “Let them bring their report card from eight years and lay it beside ours. Let the people of Benue judge who really served them.”

Kula reaffirmed the administration’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and people-driven governance, urging citizens to remain discerning and not be swayed by “political grandstanding in the guise of criticism.”

The CPS’s address has sparked widespread discussion across the state, with many educational stakeholders acknowledging the visible changes in school infrastructure and personnel motivation.

An education analyst, Mr. Clement Anum, reacting to the briefing, said:

“This is the first time in many years that we are seeing a government not just talk, but act decisively in the education sector. What’s happening in our schools today is a quiet revolution.”

As Benue continues to push for educational excellence, the stakes are high—and the battle of legacies has just begun.