On Sunday 30 November 2025, Her Excellency Torkwase Elizabeth Jessica Kuraun announced a transformational vision that has already begun to inspire hope across Benue State. At a time when many political leaders speak only about roads and buildings, she is presenting a new direction for development. It is a vision that sees humanity as the greatest resource of a people. It is a vision that sees young men and women not as political spectators but as creators, innovators, and leaders of a new economy.
During her address, Her Excellency explained her plan to create an enabling environment where talents can flourish. At the heart of that plan is the establishment of one of the biggest creative studios in Africa but located here in Benue State. This is not just a project. It is a revolution that will open the doors of opportunity that generations have prayed for.
The benefits of this vision are powerful. It will unlock the dormant talents of our youths. It will revive abandoned dreams. It will create a platform where singers, filmmakers, photographers, broadcasters, digital creators, fashion designers, script writers, sound engineers, editors, dancers, influencers, actors, comedians, and all forms of creative minds can grow and shine without leaving Benue. This is how cities rise. This is how economies expand. This is how a people discover themselves again.
With a world class studio in Benue State, our young people will no longer travel to Lagos, Abuja, or Accra before they can be seen. Investors will come to us. Creators across Africa will come to us. Benue will become a hub for entertainment, media technology, culture, and digital innovation. This will attract tourism, create employment, increase revenue, empower communities, and elevate the image of our state.
Her Excellency also emphasized the need for skill acquisition and empowerment. She cited the example of several European countries where strategic investment in skills training has created strong, self reliant youths, globally competitive industries, and vibrant economies. She believes that Benue can achieve even more because our people are gifted, hardworking, and full of potential waiting to be refined.
Some of the most impactful skill acquisition programs that can transform Benue State include
Catering and hospitality training
Fashion design and garment production
Photography and videography
Digital marketing and content creation
Website and software development
Mechanical and electrical works
Furniture and interior design
Agricultural processing and packaging
Event management and decoration
Beauty, makeup, and personal care
Film production and script writing
When young people are equipped with these skills, they become creators of jobs instead of seekers of jobs. Communities become more productive. The economy becomes stronger. Poverty reduces. Innovation increases. Lives change.
Her Excellency made it clear that this is not a dream without direction. She and her husband, Dr Jeffrey Kuraun, have taken time to truly understand the challenges and realities facing Benue people. Their commitment is not based on self praise but on sincere observation, compassion, and experience. They listen to the struggles of families. They recognize the pressure on youths. They understand the frustration of abandoned talents and the pain of unemployment. Their proposals reflect solutions that speak directly to the needs of the people.
Benue State needs a leadership that will not only build roads but build people. A leadership that will not only talk about change but create opportunities that produce change. A leadership that understands that the future belongs to those who empower human capacity.
This is why the Kuraun family has continued to stand out in the eyes of many. They are not coming with mere promises. They are coming with a plan. A plan that connects the dreams of our youths with the development of our state. A plan that will rebuild confidence, restore dignity, and reposition Benue for greatness.
Dr Jeffrey Kuraun is not just ready to lead. He is prepared to transform. He represents a leadership that understands the realities of our time and provides ideas that meet the challenges before us.
The future of Benue deserves this kind of visionary leadership.
The people of Benue deserve this kind of hope.
By Terlumun Timothy Iorwuese
Advocate for Good Governance and People Centered Leadership
