Benue State Governor His Excellency Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has brought a new political ideology to the state, Professor Shadrack Kohol Iornem, founder of Menroi Rural Priority Foundation has said.
Professor Iornem said this when he appeared as guest on Benue TV show, “Home Sweet Home,” to discuss how the UK has shaped him, his motivation for promoting Tiv culture, and how Benue can benefit from his wealth of experience.
According to Prof Iornem, political ideology in Nigeria has often been driven by self-interest and was quick to add that Fr. Alia has introduced a new political ideology, which is facing some resistance.
“This resistance is understandable because people are used to interest-based politics. The governor has prioritised the needs of the general public and is providing infrastructural development,” the Menroi founder noted.
While comparing the political ideologies of the UK and Nigeria, Prof Iornem highlighted that while there are over 300 political parties in the UK, two major political parties: Labour and Conservative, dominate. He described the Labour Party’s ideology as one that aims to create a more equitable society by redistributing wealth and power from the elites to the general public.
Labour, according to Prof Iornem, believes it is the government’s responsibility to ensure citizens have access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and housing.
In contrast, he noted that the Conservative Party focuses on reducing public spending on welfare and public services while advocating for private companies to deliver these services.
Reflecting on the education system in the UK, Professor Iornem explained that, in England, where he resides education is free for all children aged 5 – 16 with some qualifying for free education right from nursery, usually at age 2. He noted that once children turn five years old and are not enrolled in school or receiving homeschooling, the government writes to the parents for an explanation.
“You can be prosecuted if you do not give your child an education,” Prof Iornem said to the TV show anchor Miss Mary Anweh.
Prof Iornem also shared his belief in voting for competent individuals rather than political parties. He explained that during his time with the NNPP, his campaign Director-General was a member of the APC, and his deputy director-general was from the PDP, but they worked together based on their belief in his competence.
When asked how he can contribute to his community, Prof Iornem stated that he has been actively involved in various initiatives, including raising public awareness about best practices adopted in the UK, providing bursaries, offering interest-free loans to small business owners, distributing relief materials, conducting medical outreach, renovating health centres and schools in Benue State. Some of the initiatives have been through Menroi Rural Priority Foundation, which he started in 2018.
