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Tag: Ortom

  • Benue PDP Reps Caucus Leader, Hon Okwu hails Ortom for promoting youths inclusion in governance

    Benue PDP Reps Caucus Leader, Hon Okwu hails Ortom for promoting youths inclusion in governance

    Leader of the House of Representatives, Benue Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Caucus, Hon Samson Okwu on Friday hails Governor Samuel Ortom for encouraging youths participation in governance.

    Okwu in a chat with journalists in Abuja described Governor Ortom’s move to encourage Benue youths to actively participate in governance as laudable.

    The top ranking lawmaker said”Ortom within a space of five years has changed the political landscape of the Food Basket of the Nation into an adorable place for youth development.

    “I am saying this as the chairman of the youth sports development body of the state because the evidence are abound across our state.

    “In sports we have never had it this good and the testimony is there for all to see in our beloved state as this is fast crystalizing into bringing the youth closer to corridor of power.

    “His latest efforts to bring our youths to actively participate in governance will give them a sense of exhibiting their energy towards positive development of our state,”Okwu added.

  • Ortom reacts to viral reports of male genital disappearances in Benue

    Ortom reacts to viral reports of male genital disappearances in Benue

    Amid rumours of the alleged disappearance of male genitals through mystical powers, Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue, on Wednesday, dismissed such rumours as “baseless and the handiwork of mischief makers“.

    According to reports, the alleged claims had led to acts of arson in Daudu in the Guma Local Government Area of the state.

    Ortom, who refuted the claims when he visited Daudu in Guma Local Government Area, where the alleged genital disappearance occurred, explained that ” there was no single confirmed case of the incident”.

    The governor said the concocted tales of male genital disappearance was not true but only meant to encourage hatred and underdevelopment of the area.

    He expressed regrets that while the people had yet to recover from the effects of herders` attacks, “it was unthinkable for the youth in the area to embark on destruction of property for a nonexistent disappearance of genital organs”.

    Ortom noted that such allegations could scare people who go to Daudu for investment purposes, adding that “law and order must be maintained at all times”.

    The governor, who requested those with complaints of missing genital organs to present themselves for physical examination, only one person turned out but could not prove his claim of genital disappearance hence his male organ was still intact.

    Ortom warned the people against any breakdown of law and order and said such acts would be tackled by the security agents.

    He appealed to the people to refrain from resorting to jungle justice and to report all criminal activities to the security agencies.

    Also speaking, the Chief of Guma, Dennis Shemberga, commended elders and other stakeholders, especially security agents, for the critical roles they played in ensuring that peace returned to Daudu.

    He said the governor’s visit was timely and would help to douse tension in the area.

    The governor was accompanied on the visit by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Mukadas Garba, and members of the State Executive Council.

    It would be recalled that the Police Command in Benue had also dismissed the claims but admitted that it had arrested eight people in connection with the destruction of property in the area.

  • Oshiomhole begs for out-of-court settlement in Ortom’s N10bn libel suit

    Oshiomhole begs for out-of-court settlement in Ortom’s N10bn libel suit

    A former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomole, on Tuesday, sought for an out-of-court settlement in the N10bn libel suit instituted against him by Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.

    Ortom had filed the suit against the former APC chairman over his comments against him at a press conference on July 27, 2018, where Oshiomhole accused the governor of having a hand in the death of two Catholic priests and other parishioners at Mbalom Community, Gwer East Local Government Area on the grounds that one of the priests had preached a “very critical sermon” against him (the governor).

    Earlier on the suit, Oshiomhole had filed six preliminary objections which the court resolved all in Ortom’s favour.

    However, at the resumption of the case on Tuesday, counsel for Ortom, Samuel Irabor, submitted that he was ready to call his witnesses, but said that Oshiomhole’s counsel, Festus Jumbo had informed him that they have considered putting up a retraction of the publication and it would be ready within a week.

    He said he was applying for another date to take a look at the terms of settlement canvassed by Oshiomhole.

    Titus Akhuwa who held the brief of Oshiomhole’s counsel, Festus Jumbo confirmed the submission of Governor Ortom’s lawyer.

    The Presiding judge, Justice Augustine Ityonyiman of State High Court sitting in Makurdi, after listening to both parties, adjourned the case to October 29, for a report on the out-of-court settlement.

  • Ortom expresses shock over killing of Benue’s most wanted criminal

    Ortom expresses shock over killing of Benue’s most wanted criminal

    Benue State Governor; Samuel Ortom has expressed shock over the interception of a government convoy, arrest and killing of Terwase Akwaza, aka Gana by military authorities.

    Governor Ortom made his feelings known on Wednesday at the Government House Makurdi while briefing Journalists on the state of the second amnesty programme of his administration which covers Sankera geopolitical zone.

    He however noted that he was still awaiting briefing from the Commander Operation Ayem A Kpatuma from Doma in Nasarawa State, Major General Moundhey Gadzama Ali who promised he was coming to brief him on their operation.

    The Governor stated that five repentant youths from Ukum Local Government Area who were among those arrested by the Nigerian Army were released and were conveyed to the Benue Peoples House Makurdi by the Council Chairman of Ukum, Hon. Stephen Ayua to be part of the amnesty offer.

    The Governor explained that the amnesty programme was not truncated as those who could not make it to Makurdi due to the confusion created by the military operation would be given another chance.

    He urged the people of Sankera to remain calm as he was still investigating circumstances surrounding the arrest and killing of Gana before taking action on the matter, stressing that he owes Benue people the duty to protect lives and property.

    Governor Ortom had earlier addressed the 42 repentant youths and commended them for choosing to abandon their negative ways to open a new chapter of their lives.

  • Insecurity: Allow responsible citizens carry AK47 to defend themselves, Ortom tells FG

    Insecurity: Allow responsible citizens carry AK47 to defend themselves, Ortom tells FG

    Sequel to rising insecurity in some parts of the country, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has advised the Federal Government to grant licences to responsible citizens to carry sophisticated weapons such as AK47 to defend themselves.

    The governor said that the policy should be backed by a strict legal framework to prevent illegal possession of arms by the citizenry without exception.

    Ortom stated this and other recommendations in his presentation on Tuesday during a virtual meeting convened by the Centre for Values in Leadership, in collaboration with Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

    In the paper titled ‘Insecurity and Governance Challenges in the New Normal’, Ortom said governments at all levels must come to terms with the fact that insecurity is a real threat to the development of the country and must be willing to sincerely tackle the menace.

    He also recommended adequate funding of security agencies and continuous training of their personnel to enable them to be abreast of global dynamics in the fight against insecurity.

    The governor urged the Federal Government to embrace ranching as it remained the global best practice of animal husbandry, adding that it was also important for the apex government to enact a law to end open grazing.

    According to the statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, Ortom also advocated improved educational standards and enhanced public enlightenment campaigns to give the people, particularly youths the needed orientation to shun negative acts and become more patriotic.

    TheNewsGuru.com TNG reports that Benue State has suffered constant attacks allegedly perpetrated by herdsmen. Thousands have died while others are scattered across IDPs in the state.

  • Ortom’s wife, son recover from COVID-19

    Ortom’s wife, son recover from COVID-19

    Wife of Benue State Governor, Mrs Eunice Ortom, and her son have recovered from COVID-19.

    The first lady alongside her son and domestic staff on July 3, 2020, reportedly tested positive for the disease.

    According to the statement personally signed on Tuesday, Mrs Ortom said after a series of evaluations, she and her son were on Tuesday confirmed free of the disease.

    She said, “It is with gratitude to God that I wish to inform you that after series of review evaluations, today 28/7/2020, we have been confirmed to be fully recovered, certified to be COVID-19 negative and so discharged from isolation.”

    Mrs Ortom appreciated her husband, Governor Samuel Ortom, her family, and the medical experts who are at the frontline in the fight against the pandemic.

  • Boat mishap: Gov. Ortom urges community to cooperate with rescue team

    Boat mishap: Gov. Ortom urges community to cooperate with rescue team

    Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has urged members of Kwaghter community, where a boat capsized, to cooperate with the police rescue team to locate those missing.

    Sympathising with people over the incident, Ortom in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Terver Akase on Monday in Makurdi, described the incident as painful and unfortunate.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 23 where declared missing when a boat they were travelling in capsized in River Benue.

    He said Marine Police personnel were immediately deployed to the area, assisted by local divers in rescuing the victims.

    The governor particularly consoled with ECAN Church, Ijaha, Makurdi Local Government Area which members were involved in the boat mishap.

    He reminded Benue people about the 2020 weather predictions on torrential rains and advised that those who travel by water should employ all safety measures to avoid unforeseen incidents.

    Ortom also enjoined Benue people to always observe COVID-19 prevention measures by staying away from crowded places to curb the spread of the disease.

  • COVID-19: Ortom orders deputy to undergo test

    COVID-19: Ortom orders deputy to undergo test

    The Benue State Government on Saturday confirmed its first case of coronavirus disease otherwise known as COVID-19.

    Governor Samuel Ortom revealed this while briefing newsmen in Makurdi, the state capital, just after the announcement by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control.

    He gave the name of the patient as “Susan Okpe”, who returned from the United Kingdom, adding that the state action committee had already began contact tracing of about eight persons.

    The governor clarified that he disclosed the identity of the patient so that those who had made contact with her could take the necessary steps.

    He said the patient is presently being managed at the State Treatment Centre located at State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.

    The governor said he had ordered his deputy, Benson Abounu, to be tested for coronavirus.

    He noted that 70-year-old Abounu was at a recently held National Economic Council meeting in Abuja.

    The PUNCH gathered that two attendees at the meeting tested positive for coronavirus.

    He said, “We are already tracing of all those Susan Okpe came in contact with.

    “In addition, samples of two other ladies have been collected but one among them turned to be negative to the virus.

    “I have also told my deputy governor to go for a test having returned from the National Economic Council meeting in Abuja even though he told me that he had no close contact with those suspected to have contacted the virus.”

     

  • Herdsmen menace: Ortom gives marching orders to security operatives

    Herdsmen menace: Ortom gives marching orders to security operatives

    Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom has charged the state Livestock Guards to impound any livestock seen grazing openly.

    The governor who gave the charge on Friday in Makurdi while inspecting impounded cows at the quarantine unit of the state Ministry of Agriculture, said enforcement of the ranching law would continue to enable those who wish to do livestock business comply with its provisions.

    He stated that there had been influx of armed herdsmen with large herds of animals into the state, despite the high level of awareness creation to the existence of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law.

    The governor stated that several herds of cattle had been impounded and quarantined in other local government areas in the state, pointing out that trucks have been acquired by government to help Livestock Guards convey impounded livestocks from long distances to quarantine units for safe keeping.

    He described the influx of the armed herdsmen as life threatening, saying such would not be condoned by his administration.

    Ortom said over four hundred herders have been arrested and are being prosecuted at various stages, pointing out that the herders destroy farm produce and even make harvested crops feeds for the cattle.

    He insisted that there was no intention to repeal the ranching law, stressing that ranching remains the global best practice of animals husbandry and urged all Nigerians to key into it with a view to ensuring peace between herdsmen and farmers.

    State Commander Livestock Guards, Mr. Linus Zaki said his men had arrested three herdsmen during the recent operations.

    Zaki added that 214 cattle were impounded in Ukum LGA, 69 in Logo, 219 in Guma, 96 in Makurdi and 16 in Gwer West LGA.

  • How I was rescued when herdsmen attacked me at the farm – Gov Ortom

    How I was rescued when herdsmen attacked me at the farm – Gov Ortom

    Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue state, on Monday said he was attacked by suspected herdsmen while at his farm located along Makurdi-Naka road in Makurdi, Benue state capital, last week.

    During an interactive session with reporters in Makurdi, Ortom said he would not bow to the attempt to intimidate him for speaking up for his people.

    He also reiterated his call for arrest and prosecution of Miyetti Allah leaders for allegedly instigating violence against farmers in Benue state.

    “I went my farm last week and the herdsmen who were coming back to Benue state in their numbers shot at me, ” Ortom said.

    He said it was men of Operation Whirl stroke, an outfit set up by the defence headquarters, who rescued him.

    Ortom expressed concerns that herdsmen were allowed to “carry sophisticated weapons more than security agencies while farmers are arrested for holding cutlasses”.

    He said herdsmen were not coming to the state for grazing but to create problems.

    Ortom said Nigeria is no longer in the 50s and 60s when cows were grazing for free.

    “Anti- open grazing prohibition law is still in force and anyone who wants to do business of animal husbandry must embrace ranching,” he said.