Hyacinth Alia (born May 14, 1966) is a politician and Catholic priest from Mbangur, Mbadede in Benue State’s Vandeikya Local Government Area. One of the leading candidates who ran for governor of Benue State in 2023 and won the election was Hyacinth Alia, who represented the All Progressives Congress.
Full names: Hyacinth Alia
Born: 14th May 1966
Nationality: Nigerian
Education: St. Augustine’s Major Seminary, Jos
Occupation: Politician
Deputy: Hon. Sam Ode
Political party: All Progressives Congress (APC)
Net worth: N/A
Hyacinth Alia Early Life
On May 14, 1966, Hyacinth Alia was born in the Benue State LGA of Mbangur, Mbadede, and Vandeikya. At St. Francis Primary School in Agidi, Mbatiav, and Gboko, he received his primary education.
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His spiritual journey began when he enrolled in Makurdi’s St. James Minor Seminary in 1983. He was then permitted to continue his education at St. Augustine’s Major Seminary in Jos. In 1987, he got a Diploma in Religious Studies, and in 1990, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sacred Theology.
In order to further his education, he enrolled in Fordham University in the Bronx neighbourhood of New York City, where he eventually graduated with a Master’s in Religious Education (Psychology and Counseling) in 1999.
Alia also has a master’s and doctorate degree in biomedical ethics from Duquesne University in Pennsylvania, USA.
Hyacinth Alia Career
In July 1990, Hyacinth Alia was ordained as a Catholic priest. Bishop Athanasius Atule Usuh, the respected spiritual leader of the Makurdi Catholic Diocese, presided over the ordination ceremony. With this major event, Hyacinth Alia went on a religious journey, accepting his vocation as a devout Catholic Church servant.
Fr. Hyacinth Alia became a conduit of God’s grace and an instrument of His love and compassion through his ordination. He devoted himself completely to his ministry, embracing Catholic principles and attempting to live a life of faith, humility, and service.
In May 2022, Alia ran for governor of Benue State on the APC platform. In a fast response, the state church hierarchy said unequivocally that the canon law of the Catholic Church bars priests from active participation in politics, resulting in his suspension as a priest.
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Alia framed his suspension as one of the sacrifices he would have to make in order for his “good plans” for the state to become a reality. He also underlined his determination to lift the state out of poverty.
Hyacinth Ali was proclaimed the winner of the governorship election in Benue State on March 20. He received 473,933 votes, defeating Titus Uba of the PDP, who received 223,913 votes.
Personal Life
Because Hyacinth Alia is not married, Benue State is the only state in the union without a First Lady.
Net Worth
He is a politician and a Catholic priest who was elected Governor of Benue State in the 2023 gubernatorial election. His net worth is not available at the moment.
Social Media
Instagram: @fryacinthalia