Gov Ortom to sign amended law on community volunteer guards Oct 26

By Jimin Geoffrey

Barring any last minute changes, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State will on Tuesday, October 26th, 2021, assent to the amended Community Volunteer Guards law of the state.

The Law was first passed in year 2000 by the Benue State House of Assembly and assented to by the then Governor George Akume.

Governor Ortom spoke Sunday, October 24th, 2021 at NKST Church Jato-Aka, Kwande Local Government Area during the wedding between former Miss Sandra Nguavese Orban and Master Desmond Mhembena Anza.

The Governor explained that the amended law when assented to, will enable the Community Volunteer Guards to be equipped with legal weapons recognised by constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to assist conventional security agents fight crime and terrorists activities.

Governor Ortom lamented that previous calls and appeals to the Federal Government to declare killer herdsmen as terrorists fell on deaf ears.

He regretted that the activities of militia herdsmen were worse compared with other groups that had already been proscribed by the Federal Government.

The Governor acknowledged the support of the Church to his administration through prayers and counsel, saying it has guided him greatly in administering the state through thick and thin.

While counselling the newly wedded couple, Governor Ortom advised young people to settle down with their partners, stressing that parents feel fulfilled when they see their children grow into adulthood and prosper in life.

He congratulated the couple on their union and prayed God to bless the marriage with children.

In a sermon, Rev J.I. Tyonongo tasked the couple on love for each other and to depend on God for their needs, adding that God never disappoints those who trust in Him.