ORTOM PREACHES PEACE...FROM THE BENUE PEOPLES HOUSE

21st – 26th Dec.

By Terver Akase

Hello Friends,
I am glad to welcome you to the Christmas edition of ‘From the Benue Peoples House’, a weekly review of activities of Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.
In this package, Governor Ortom felicitates with the people and enjoins them to sustain peaceful coexistence in his message to the Christian and Muslim communities during the 2015 Eid-el-Maulud and Christmas. He promotes education, and gives assurance on security as well as fulfilment of promises. Governor Ortom also held the last executive council meeting in 2015 during which the 2016 budget estimates were concluded.
The week was expectedly characterised by activities marking this year’s Christmas as the Benue Peoples House was colourfully decorated in readiness for the birth of Jesus Christ. The State Governor performed a number of functions before leaving for his country home in Gbajimba, Guma Local Government Area to celebrate the Yuletide with his people.
MONDAY
ORTOM CHAIRS LAST 2015 EXCO MEETING
Governor Ortom chaired a marathon session of the Benue State Executive Councila at which the final figures of the 2016 state budget were deliberated upon and decisions arrived at preparatory to presentation to the State Assembly. The meeting started at noon and lasted far into the night.
...ASSURES ON SECURITY DURING THE YULETIDE
Also on Monday, Governor Ortom assured the people of the state that his administration will support security agencies to ensure a hitch-free festive season.
Governor Ortom gave the assurance when the Benue State Council of Imams and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force paid him a courtesy visit at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi.
He said the State Government would continue to accord priority to the security of lives and property in all parts of the state.
Governor Ortom urged the people of the state to collaborate and support security agencies to do more in combating crime.
He said the existing peace between herdsmen and farmers would hasten development in the areas previously affected by clashes, promising that his administration would continue to engage the governments of neighbouring states to curb border crises.
Earlier, the Deputy Chairman of the Council of Imams, Mallam Umar Shuaibu, commended Governor Ortom for his security initiatives leading to the restoration of peace to areas affected by frequent clashes between herders and farmers.
Still on Monday,
DEPLOY CREATIVE IDEAS, SKILLS TO BOOST ECONOMY – ORTOM
Governor Ortom, that same day, charged the people of the state to deploy their creative ideas and skills to boost the economy of the state.
He gave the charge when separate groups visited him at the Benue Peoples House in Makurdi.
These included the Ipusu community in Makurdi, the Workman Network and the Ortom Mastermind Group.
Governor Ortom stated that it had become imperative for indigenes to look inwards and rely on their creative ideas and entrepreneurial skills to pull out of the current economic downturn.
He commended indigenes that have embarked on small scale enterprises such as shoe and soap making saying his administration would encourage micro, small and medium scale firms even as it would create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.
The Governor commended the groups for their support during his electioneering campaigns and their support for his administration.
He said they raised funds on their own and exhibited uncommon resilience to the realization of his aspiration assuring that their labor would not be in vain because they sowed on fertile ground.
Leaders of the various groups, Elder Nder Anye for the Ipusu community, Reverend Abraham Ayuba, Workman Network and David Adzenda for Ortom Mastermind commended the Governor for his initiatives in governance and requested the empowerment of members of their groups.
They said their members have set up medium scale enterprises such as groundnut and soya mills, massive crop production, printing presses, fashion houses as well as cement block industries among others and appealed for patronage.
TUESDAY
... INTERACTS WITH BENUE PEOPLE ON HIS BLUEPRINT
Benue people interacted with Governor Ortom during a special edition of Radio Benue weekly audience participatory programme, Issues of the Moment.
The Governor received over 300 text messages to which he responded during the two-hour programme, from 8 to 10 am. The programme focused on the blueprint of his administration, “Our Collective Vision for a New Benue.”
Most of the people who interacted with the Governor through the messages or phone calls either drew his attention to key areas which they wanted his administration to concentrate on or commended him on his efforts since assumption of office.
Governor Ortom reassured the people that his administration will fully implement its blueprint.
WEDNESDAY
...LEAVES FOR GBAJIMBA TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS
Governor Ortom left for his country home in Gbajimba, Guma Local Government Area of the state to celebrate Christmas with his people.
THURSDAY
...PREACHES PEACE IN HIS CHRISTMAS AND EID-EL-MAULUD MESSAGE
Governor Ortom felicitated with the Christian and Muslim communities in the state on the occasion of the celebration of the 2015 Christmas and Eid-el-Maulud.
The occasions mark the births of Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammed respectively.
In a statement, the Governor prayed that the peace and love of the season may be with the people and also enable them to have hitch-free celebrations.
He urged Muslims and Christians in the state to live in harmony and avoid acts that engender discord and that are likely to breach the prevailing peace among the two groups.
According to the Governor, the festive season should not only be a time for celebration but also for sober reflection on the lives of both the Lord Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammed who lived lives of piety, prayer and service to God and humanity.
He reassured the people that his administration would continue to do those things that promote unity, love and development while reiterating the commitment of his administration to safeguarding lives and property in all parts of the state.
The Governor also wished the people of the state a happy and prosperous New Year in advance.
Still on Thursday,
DR EUNICE ORTOM CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS WITH ORPHANS AND CHILDREN
Wife of the Governor, Dr Mrs. Eunice Ortom hosted Benue children at the new banquet hall of the Benue Peoples House for a Christmas party.
Mrs. Ortom addressed the children, who were either accompanied by their parents or other relations.
Below was her message:
‘‘Greetings to you my dear lovely children of Benue State.
I am overwhelmed to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with you here in the Benue Peoples House and I therefore on behalf of His Excellency, Samuel Ortom, welcome you all to this Christmas Party, specially put together for you because Children are special people.
Christmas is a day set aside by Christians from all over the world to remember the virgin birth of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who was born on 25th December. It is a day of happiness and celebration.
As we gather here today, I want all of you to be well behaved and respectful children because the Bible tells us to respect our parents so that our days may be increased. You are therefore expected to be humble, and of good character in your families and any where you are, respect your elders, guardians and teachers.
I also call on you to read your books very well and excel in school because education is the key to success. Do not join bad company in school and at home. Do not be wayward children and be of help to your parents at home.
Finally, I wish you all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance.’’
FRIDAY (CHRISTMAS DAY)
WE'LL FULFILL PROMISES – ORTOM
Governor Ortom, on this day, reassured the people of the state that his administration will fulfill its promises to lift the state to an enviable height.
He gave the assurance in a sermon as a lay preacher during the Christmas Day Church Service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Excellent Parish, in Gbajimba, Guma Local Government Area.
Governor Ortom urged the people to show love and kindness to the needy and to sustain peace in the state.
He stated that God gave His only Son Jesus Christ to die for the sins of the world and that mankind had no reason to continue in sin, stressing that if people allowed God to take dominion over their lives, they would have glorious testimonies to make.
Governor Ortom said his administration would continue to position the state on the path of success, assuring the people that the present economic challenges will be overcome.
He expressed confidence that 2016 will be a year of joy for the people of the state.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the Church Service, the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Eunice Ortom thanked God for guiding the present administration to turnaround the numerous challenges it met and placing the state for greater things in the coming year.
Mrs. Ortom urged parents to monitor the conduct and movement of their children especially during the festive season to prevent them from engaging in negative acts. She wished the people merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Still on Christmas Day,

... SAYS EDUCATION REMAINS PANACEA FOR POVERTY

Governor Ortom urged the people of the state to embrace education as it remained the surest solution to ignorance, poverty and disease.
Governor Ortom who made the call while addressing hundreds of people across the state and beyond who came to celebrate Christmas with him at his home in Gbajimba, advised parents and guardians to ensure that their wards go to school as that would empower them to build careers and aspire to any position in life.
He urged youths of the state to accord elders respect so that they could also grow, stressing the need for the people to return to agriculture as oil revenue from the federation’s account could no longer sustain the state.

Governor Ortom thanked former Governor of the state, Senator George Akume for the immense support he provided for his emergence as Governor and thereafter, assuring the All Progressives Congress, APC leader in the state that he will not disappoint Benue people.
Earlier, Senator George Akume commended Governor Ortom for his efforts despite what he described as the terrible state the economy was in when he assumed office.
He called on the people to be patient with Governor Ortom as he was still cleansing the mess left behind by the immediate past administration.

Senator Akume urged the Governor not to be distracted by the few voices of the opposition who had vowed never to see anything good in his administration.
‘’Do not be bothered Governor; majority of our people are with you. The people appreciate what you are doing and are supporting you. You are doing quite well. Those opposing you are in the minority," he stressed.

Also speaking, former governorship candidate and the Director-General of the Ortom-Abounu Campaign Organisation, Professor Steve Ugbah, expressed conviction that the Ortom administration would deliver on its promises to the people.
He urged the people to support the state government, adding that with the manner Governor Ortom had begun, there was hope for a new Benue.
SATURDAY
... RETURNS TO MAKURDI
Governor Ortom returned to Makurdi after the Christmas celebration at his country home in Guma.
That ends this edition of ‘From the Benue Peoples House’. Special thanks to Tahav Agerzua, Special Adviser, Media and ICT for his contribution.
Join us again next weekend for a fresh package. Happy New Year people.

POSTED BY TERYILA IBN APINE