Why we’ll not surrender our land to criminals – Gov. Ortom

A Weekly publication of Updates on the activities of Gov Samuel Ortom by the Office of the Principal Special Assistant on Media to the Governor of Benue State

BENUE PARTNER OGP, OTHERS FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE

■ Benue state Governor Samuel Ortom says his administration will partner with all deveplomental bodies that could add value to good governance. The governor bared his mind Monday May 11th, 2020 when the Civil Society Steering Committee of the Open Government Partnership, OGP, paid him a courtesy call. The group was led by Barrister Rommy Mom.

Governor Ortom while expressing willingness to embrace the initiative, recommended that the policy be institutionalised to encourage transparency and accountability, which would translate to good governance.
Barr Mom in his remarks disclosed that Nigeria joined the organisation in 2016 as the 70th member state. He pleaded with the Benue State government to sign up to the OGP and develop a sub national plan thereto. Mom pointed out that the OGP is an international multi-stakeholder global coalition of reformers drawn from government and the civil society, working to make government transparent, accountable and participatory, to truly serve and empower citizens.

GOV ORDERS SECURITY AT BORDERS TIGHTENED

■ Efforts to halt the spread of COVID-19 in Benue state continued with a review meeting this day. State Deputy Governor and Chairman, State Action Committee on COVID-19 briefed the meeting on successes and challenges in containing the pandemic. One of such challenges he observed, is the high tendency of community transmissions. He said it was threatening because of the rate influx of persons from highly infested states into Benue even when our borders were said to have been shut. This situation he pointed out, was dangerous to the state.

■ Gov Ortom in his response directed that security be tightened at all borders into the state to avoid a catastrophic situation in the state. At the end of the meeting, churches and mosques were still asked to remain shut until further notice.

TUESDAY MAY 12th:

EXPOSE CRIMINAL ELEMENTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES, Gov Ortom

■ The recurring violence across the state is disturbing to the state governor. When the herdsmen are not killing and destroying Benue communities, criminal gangs masquerade as clanish warlords to take up arms against one another. As at the last count, there are several communities where violence, killings and wanton destructions have been carried out by these gangs apart from herdsmen invasion.

So on Tuesday May 12th, the governor invited traditional leaders, elders and some critical stakeholders from Buruku, Ushongo and Vandeikya local governments for a security meeting. It was in response to recent violent clashes in those areas. In Buruku, there were skirmishes between Kusuv and Ishorov. Some homes were torched and one person feared killed. Foodstuffs were also said to have been destroyed. Kusuv elders apologised on behalf of their youths who carried out the acts and promised compensations.

■ The crises between Mbagwaza kindred in Ushongo local government and Tsambe in Vandeikya local government also held. The Council Chairmen of the two local governments, traditional and elders from both kindreds spoke with one voice. They dispelled insinuations that the violence that erupted over a pond of water was communal crises. They identified cult and criminal activities by youths from the affected areas as the cause of the conflict. The traditional and community leaders from both kindreds recommended severe punishment to anyone found to have a hand in the crises. They asked that security agents be brought in to arrest anyone found culpable and be prosecuted.

■ The governor why addressing journalists at the end of the meeting, directed a manhunt for all those suspected to have actively participated in the crises to be arrested. He warned that his administration will not surrender the state to criminal gangs to rule. Gov Ortom decried the situation where elders have abdicated their responsibilities to the youths, saying this is unacceptable.

■ An enlarged follow up security meeting is slated for tomorrow, Monday 18th, 2020 to take strategic steps in tackling security challenges in the state.

ORTOM INAUGURATES 9-MEMBER COMMITTEE ON ESTABLISHMENT OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES CENTRE

■ In taking advantage of the global pandemic on COVID-19 and strategising ahead, the Benue state governor on this day inaugurated the steering committee for the Establishment of a Centre for Emerging Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Intelligence and Management, CEITDIM. He was represented by the State commissioner for Health, Dr Sunday Ongbabo who’s also the chairman of the committee. Other members of the committee included the Vice Chancellor, Benue State University, Prof Moses Kembe; Provost, College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Prof Linus Saalu, Prof Dennis Ityavyar, Prof Prince Emmanuel Oguejiofor Nwokedi, Prof Terrumun Swende, Nathaniel Ikyur, Terver Akase with Mrs Nguemo Aondona Adi, Deputy Registrar/College Secretary as Secretary of the committee.

The governor said the establishment of this centre is timely. That it will upsacle government’s investments in the health sector. And that at the end of the day, the health sector in Benue would have been elevated. The committee which has two weeks to submit its report also took time to visit government structures to be recommnded as permanent campus.

THURSDAY 14th:

7th GOVERNING COUNCIL OF BSU INAUGURATED

■ The 7th Governing Council of the Benue State University, BSU, Makurdi was this day inaugurated by the benue state governor Samuel Ortom. The givernor charged the council to reposition the institution to enable it attain greater heights. He urged the university council to ensure the university produces graduates who would be self-employed. He acknowledged that even his worst critics have applauded his passion for the development of the instution and tower other state-owned tertiary institutions.

Nathaniel Ikyur
Principal Special Asst on Media
Governor of Benue State