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Tag: Governor Samuel Ortom

  • We’ve started impeachment moves against Ortom – Hon. Ikyange

    It’s illegal and unconstitutional – Governor

     

     

    The impeached speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Terkimbir Ikyange said on Monday that the assembly has initiated impeachment moves against Governor Samuel Ortom.

    This is coming at a time when another faction of the lawmakers under the new speaker Hon. Titus Uba said they have suspended the entire Ikyange led members for six (6) months.

    Read Also:Oshiomhole interfering with investigation of suspected killers, Ortom alleges

    Speaking to newsmen at his official residence after plenary, Ikyange stated that the house would communicate the notice of impeachment to the governor in seven (7) days.

    Ikyange led twelve (12) lawmakers to plenary Monday under tight security.

    He accused Ortom of embezzling state funds amounting to N55 Billion.

    He stated that Ortom embezzled N33 billion through reduction of Local Government funds and used another N22 billion to shop for political platform before he decamped to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    According to Ikyange, as a result of the financial recklessness of Ortom civil servants in Benue state are being owned seven (7) months salaries, while local government are owned eleven (11) month and pensioners fourteen (14) months .

    He said the impeachment moves against Ortom also has to do with his non-performance in office.

    But reacting, Ortom dismissed the allegations of fraud and non – performance as blatant lies.

    The Governor said he has worked with the Speaker for three (3) years but he did not raise the issue of fraud and wondered why the issue is coming now after he defected to the PDP.

    “The only crime against me is I enacted “anti – Open grazing prohibition law which is the product of the People of Benue State.”

    Ortom pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to call the Inspector – General of Police (IGP) and DSS to order, as according to him “democracy is about rule of law.”

    He said eight (8) members of the House cannot over rule twenty two (22) members.

    “All that they are trying to do is to change the narratives against me and demobilized me.”

  • Ortom: I’ll not rest until killings stop

    Ortom: I’ll not rest until killings stop

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has vowed not to rest until the killings rocking the state stop.

    He called on the Federal Government, public-spirited individuals, organisations, and the international community, to help in tackling humanitarian challenges associated with herdsmen attacks in the state.

    The governor spoke yesterday when he visited some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Makurdi and Guma local government areas.

    According to him, the Federal Government has the capacity to stop the killings but has, instead, resorted to looking for scapegoats to divert attention.

    Ortom assured the displaced persons of his continued support towards ameliorating their suffering.

    He directed the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Cecilia Ojabo, to station a medical team at the camp in Abagena.

    He said security should be tightened.

    The governor advised the IDPs to complement one another and endure the pains in the camp, stressing that everything is being done to ensure they return home.

    Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Emmanuel Shior said the camp at Abagena had registered 6,675 IDPs, most of who are from Nasarawa State.

    He added that food and non-food items had been provided in the camp.

    Other camps visited by the Governor include LGEA Primary School, Daudu, and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees shelter on the outskirts of Daudu.

    The State Security Council has placed a N50 million bounty on suspected kidnap kingpin, Terwase Akwaza, otherwise known as Gana.

    At a meeting presided over by Governor Samuel Ortom, the council said the bounty was reviewed from N10 million to N50 million to quicken the search for Gana and rescue Katsina-ala local government from criminals.

    The council urged the people to volunteer information leading to Gana’s arrest, urging them not to cover him and his gang.

    Commissioner for Information and Orientation Lawrence Onoja Jr, who addressed reporters after the meeting, said vehicles with covered number plates and sirens have been banned.

    He said security agents had been directed to arrest and prosecute owners of such vehicles.

    The council gave traditional rulers till February ending to obtain proper vehicle number plates.

  • Northern Govs beg Ortom not to abandon Forum over Benue killings

    Northern Govs beg Ortom not to abandon Forum over Benue killings

    The Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, led northern governors to beg Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, not to resign from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum over herdsmen killings in the state.

    It was the first move from governors in north since Fulani herdsmen killed 73 people in Benue.

    The visit came after South- south, South East, South West and Middle Belt stakeholders condoled with Governor Ortom on the tragic incident.

    Shettima was accompanied on the trip by governors Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Simon Lalong (Plateau).

    The Deputy Governor of Osun State, Otunba Grace Titilayo Laoye also visited the Benue governor.

    Governor Shettima, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said they were in Benue to commiserate with Ortom on the killings.

    But midway into his speech, there was murmuring from some guests who expressed dismay that he did not condemn the attack or made mention of the Fulani herdsmen in his address.

    The governor also clashed with journalists outside the Banquet hall of the Benue Government House.

    He accused South West and South-south leaders of coming to score cheap political points.

  • Not time for bickering

    Not time for bickering

    Two governors of neighbouring states, both elected on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have different ideas of the cause, and thus solution to the herdsmen crises ravaging various parts of the country. Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and Tanko Al Makura of Nasarawa State are at war over the location of the killer herdsmen who have invaded and murdered many farmers and innocent residents of Benue State. Ortom accused the neighbouring Nasarawa of harbouring and, perhaps, supporting the herdsmen who allegedly strike from Tonga and recoil there to avoid being apprehended by the security forces. But, Al Makura has expressed angst that his colleague could make an allegation he regarded as wild. The Nasarawa State governor explained that he was so concerned about the crisis that he had to cut short his vacation to lend a helping hand. He said many of the displaced Benue residents have been accommodated in the same Awe Local Government that Ortom claimed hosts the murderers.

    The tango is uncalled for. The two gentlemen are supposed to share and compare notes with a view to finding a lasting solution to what has become a major plague. If Gov. Ortom could be running to Abuja so frequently to seek support and solution to the crisis, it is surprising that he never considered visiting neighbouring states with a view to finding and tackling the problem at its root. What would Gov. Al Makura gain by being a source of Benue’s pain? Why would the [people of Nasarawa be allies of the marauding herdsmen who are not doing the same in their own state?

    We understand the pressure under which Governor Ortom is operating and the likely consequences. However, it is the mark of leadership that a man weighs his words and actions because of the likely effects. Utterances have been known to set communities and countries ablaze. At this point what Benue needs are friends, not enemies. If Gov. Al Makura were to react to the allegations by his Benue counterpart, he would send the displaced persons back to their state of origin and that would not only deepen the woes of the people, but is capable of exacerbating the crisis.

    We are surprised that the security forces are yet to get to the root of a crisis that has festered for so long. Had the Police and the Department of State Services responded promptly and professionally to the crisis when it began, there would have been no controversy over the location of the purveyors of death and their modes of operation. The Federal Government should be reminded again that the primary purpose of governance is two-fold -security of lives and property and welfare of the citizens. Any government that fails in these respects does not deserve the support and respect of the people. So far, government agencies have failed the Benue people and, by extension Taraba and other states. It was this failure that led to the promulgation of the anti-open grazing law and increased tension between farmers and the herdsmen.

    What has the government done to rein in and bring the murderers to book? What, too, has been done to ensure that the herdsmen have access year-round to water and grazing for their livestock? Do we have a virile policy that would promote livestock farming in the most conducive environment? It is unfortunate that the President had to wait for the sacrifice of about 73 lives in the latest round of butchery before he realised the need to dispatch the Inspector General of Police to the State, and send the Interior Minister to assess the situation. Mr. President should realise that the whole country is his constituency and injury to one is injury to all. He has to learn to respond more swiftly to crisis. It is his predilection for slow reaction that has given rise to allegations that he supports crimes committed by the Fulani. Indeed, this is a wakeup call to him and his government.

  • A governor recalls his motor park days

    A governor recalls his motor park days

    On a day Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom was honoured alongside others, he held the audience spellbound detailing how he worked his way from being a motor park to driver and all the way to the government house, reports DELE ANOFI

    Everyone has their story. For Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, life roughly began at a motor park. He has not forgotten that and always said it when the moment was right.

    He found that moment again at the Sheraton Hotel’s  Ladi Kwali hall, Abuja where he was rewarded for his humble beginnings and hard work that shot him to the top.

    The event was organised by the promoters of a television programme, True Nigerians, produced by Zaaki  Azzay. It recognises Nigerians whose lives are capable of impacting and inspiring younger generations.

    Apart from Ortom, two other governors, Tanko Almakura (Nasarawa), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) and Onyeka Onwenu were recognized and given awards on the night.

    Though, he was not the only recipient of the award, the video clip of the episode that featured Ortom became the major attraction of the night as the packed hall could not help but applauded every minute of the clip.

    The governor was shown at a motor park in Benue where it all began. At the park, he looked to be at home. The governor was said to have begun life as a park tout, then a bus conductor before becoming a driver. As a driver, destiny linked him up with a Christian leader, who was a prominent politician in the state as his driver. He narrated how that move later led to the continuation of his education home and abroad, then politics and eventually where he is today. After a little pep talk, the producer asked the governor to oblige Nigerians his prior professional acumen as a bus conductor while living a life in a motor park. He did, calling passengers into a bus and collecting fares from them, the hall erupted in appreciation of a former Minister that never forgot his beginning.

    In his acceptance speech, Ortom emphasised the virtues of being humble, determined, focused and God fearing.

    He said, “The message there is to appreciate the fact that no matter your little beginnings, greatness lies ahead of you, once you persevere, once you are determined to succeed and above all once you have faith in God. Heaven will be your limit; you can achieve anything as exemplified by the lives of those who are receiving this award tonight. This programme has inspired many as many have come to me after watching it that they received inspiration from what they saw. The programme has touched and still touching lives. It has inspired lots of Nigerians.

    “I need to state that for me, this is something that keeps reflecting on my life as I take on the responsibilities of leadership. God has so helped me, despite my humble beginning, God has been so helpful and this is what gets me humbled anytime I think about my beginning because many people you see in that video clip are still at that motor park. It could have  been me still there but why is it that God has chosen me to be where I am today after passing through other several leadership positions? So, each time I reflect on this I  become more humble and I have no reason to pride over any other human being because I could have been in that motor park up till today. For that, I appreciate God and I want to say that I’ll continue to acknowledge the mercy of God upon my life and I will continue to live with the fear of God which will translate to truthfulness, equity, fairness, humility, integrity, justice, selflessness, accountability and above all love to all.

    “Ordinarily I don’t go about receiving awards but this one is so touching to me because it inspires people, especially our younger generations. This award is dedicated to my mother who taught me to be dedicated, selfless and hard-working”.

    While Dankwambo was absent but represented at the event, Gov Almakura on his part urged Nigerians, especially the youth not to disregard or dump their cultural values. He also emphasised the fact that the future generations needed to have insights into the lives of Nigerians that have done well for themselves and made the country proud along the way. He said the little efforts made along the road by the recipient’s should be a motivation for the younger generation. Almakura appreciated the organisers for the recognition of his simplicity and attachment to his cultural roots, saying, “I feel too small but grateful to be considered for this recognition compared to the big ones that have received this award like former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Little efforts made along the years should be a motivation and these are the kind of examples our children should imbibe so that they don’t get lost in the attractions of today. The mindset of children today is to compete with their rich parents and they get lost in the process only to realise very late in life that it is impossible to retrace their steps. Children should not dump our tradition and their thoughts should not be elitist but down to earth. These are our core values and Nigerian should imbibe live and let live. This has always been my guiding principle and the reason for embarking on projects that appear simplistic but they ultimately affect the lives of the rural people in Nasarawa”.

  • Ortom plans BENPOLY takeover by Fed Govt

    Governor Samuel Ortom said his administration would constitute a committee to plan the takeover of Benue State Polytechnic Ugbokolo by the Federal Government.

    He made the announcement during the 10th combined convocation of the institution spanning 2006 to 2016, held in Ugbokolo last Saturday.

    The Governor also directed the Polytechnic to hold convocations yearly in order to avoid piling up of graduates for many years.

    He restated his administration’s resolve to continue to improve the quality of education in the state, stressing that the closure of illegal schools was a step in that direction.

    He promised that grant-aided schools would be returned to their owners to allow government focus on its secondary schools.

    Ortom also directed the Education, Science and Technology Commissioner, Prof Dennis Ityavyar, to carry out an assessment of the failed Umabe River Water Works and report to him with the objective of fixing it to address water supply challenges in the Polytechnic and the entire Ugbokolo community.

    While congratulating his wife, Eunice, Ortom and other recipients who were conferred fellowships of the Polytechnic, Ortom also commended the graduates for completing their studies and wished them well in their future endeavors.

    In separate remarks, Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Usman Kuti and Chairman Governing Council, Dr. Joseph Ngbea, thanked Ortom for supporting the institution.

    Kuti listed challenges confronting the institution to include inadequate man power, the need for the accreditation of more courses and lack of portable drinking water and solicited government intervention.

     

  • A governor recalls his motor park days

    A governor recalls his motor park days

    On a day Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom was honoured alongside others, he held the audience spellbound detailing how he worked his way from being a motor park to driver and all the way to the government house, reports DELE ANOFI

    Everyone has their story. For Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, life roughly began at a motor park. He has not forgotten that and always said it when the moment was right.

    He found that moment again at the Sheraton Hotel’s  Ladi Kwali hall, Abuja where he was rewarded for his humble beginnings and hard work that shot him to the top.

    The event was organised by the promoters of a television programme, True Nigerians, produced by Zaaki  Azzay. It recognises Nigerians whose lives are capable of impacting and inspiring younger generations.

    Apart from Ortom, two other governors, Tanko Almakura (Nasarawa), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) and Onyeka Onwenu were recognized and given awards on the night.

    Though, he was not the only recipient of the award, the video clip of the episode that featured Ortom became the major attraction of the night as the packed hall could not help but applauded every minute of the clip.

    The governor was shown at a motor park in Benue where it all began. At the park, he looked to be at home. The governor was said to have begun life as a park tout, then a bus conductor before becoming a driver. As a driver, destiny linked him up with a Christian leader, who was a prominent politician in the state as his driver. He narrated how that move later led to the continuation of his education home and abroad, then politics and eventually where he is today. After a little pep talk, the producer asked the governor to oblige Nigerians his prior professional acumen as a bus conductor while living a life in a motor park. He did, calling passengers into a bus and collecting fares from them, the hall erupted in appreciation of a former Minister that never forgot his beginning.

    In his acceptance speech, Ortom emphasised the virtues of being humble, determined, focused and God fearing.

    He said, “The message there is to appreciate the fact that no matter your little beginnings, greatness lies ahead of you, once you persevere, once you are determined to succeed and above all once you have faith in God. Heaven will be your limit; you can achieve anything as exemplified by the lives of those who are receiving this award tonight. This programme has inspired many as many have come to me after watching it that they received inspiration from what they saw. The programme has touched and still touching lives. It has inspired lots of Nigerians.

    “I need to state that for me, this is something that keeps reflecting on my life as I take on the responsibilities of leadership. God has so helped me, despite my humble beginning, God has been so helpful and this is what gets me humbled anytime I think about my beginning because many people you see in that video clip are still at that motor park. It could have  been me still there but why is it that God has chosen me to be where I am today after passing through other several leadership positions? So, each time I reflect on this I  become more humble and I have no reason to pride over any other human being because I could have been in that motor park up till today. For that, I appreciate God and I want to say that I’ll continue to acknowledge the mercy of God upon my life and I will continue to live with the fear of God which will translate to truthfulness, equity, fairness, humility, integrity, justice, selflessness, accountability and above all love to all.

    “Ordinarily I don’t go about receiving awards but this one is so touching to me because it inspires people, especially our younger generations. This award is dedicated to my mother who taught me to be dedicated, selfless and hard-working”.

    While Dankwambo was absent but represented at the event, Gov Almakura on his part urged Nigerians, especially the youth not to disregard or dump their cultural values. He also emphasised the fact that the future generations needed to have insights into the lives of Nigerians that have done well for themselves and made the country proud along the way. He said the little efforts made along the road by the recipient’s should be a motivation for the younger generation. Almakura appreciated the organisers for the recognition of his simplicity and attachment to his cultural roots, saying, “I feel too small but grateful to be considered for this recognition compared to the big ones that have received this award like former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Little efforts made along the years should be a motivation and these are the kind of examples our children should imbibe so that they don’t get lost in the attractions of today. The mindset of children today is to compete with their rich parents and they get lost in the process only to realise very late in life that it is impossible to retrace their steps. Children should not dump our tradition and their thoughts should not be elitist but down to earth. These are our core values and Nigerian should imbibe live and let live. This has always been my guiding principle and the reason for embarking on projects that appear simplistic but they ultimately affect the lives of the rural people in Nasarawa”.

  • Police smash kidnap gang in Benue

    Police smash kidnap gang in Benue

    Benue State Police Command has busted two kidnap syndicates in Makurdi and Katsina-Ala including a gang of four allegedly led by a woman believed to be an associate of the wanted militant leader, Terwase Agwaza, also known as Gana , who a week ago abducted a Katsina/Ala-based businessman.

    The police operation also led to the arrest of three women whose responsibilities were to provide food for the victims, who was rescued alive.

    The arrest is coming few days after Governor Samuel Ortom assented to the anti-kidnapping bill, which prescribed death penalty for offenders.

    Parading the suspects  at the Command Headquarters in Makurdi, the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Bashir Makama, said the businessman was kidnapped alongside his son, who was later released to source N20 million as ransom for his father.

    Makama said: “We tracked them from intercepts; that case gave us sleepless nights, but we got them in their hideout after a gun battle at Abaji in Katsina/Ala and the notorious criminal, Bem Uga, alias Jugas Jnr , and one Oraondo, alias Bishop , were also nabbed without any ransom paid for the releases of the victim, who was rescued alive.

    “During investigations, we discovered that the lady, who was arrested, had the responsibility of penciling down those to be kidnapped and those to be killed by the gang.

    “They are all associates of Gana, the wanted militant leader. Among them is the driver of Gana’s wife, Queen. They are all giving us useful information.

    “Also arrested, after reliable information, is one Victor Ayanngor, who conspired with Ordue Abraham, Kelvin Dankor and Emmanuel Terver to kidnap his girlfriend and collect N200, 000 ransom.”

     

  • Benue spends over N2 bn on rural projects – Adviser

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has spent more than N2 billion on rural projects since May 29, 2015.

    Dr. Adzer Abya, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development and Cooperatives, said this after inspecting some of the projects in Gwer and Apa local government areas of the state on Tuesday.

    Abya explained that the projects which were spread across the state included rural roads, culverts and bridges as well as electrification.

    He said N1.8 billion came from the N10 billion infrastructure facility provided by the Federal Government while the rest came from the statutory allocations in accordance with budgetary provisions.

    He, however, appealed to contractors to accelerate their pace of work in keeping with the zeal of the administration.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the projects inspected included Mase-Paka feeder road with a bridge on Nchila stream at Shanna, Howe-Kinga-Shawa with several culverts and a major bridge across Ulobo stream at Tse-Gabu, and three span bridge across Gbaya stream near Taraku.

    Electrification projects included Uturugh, Ageba and Shawa villages near Taraku, and Jato-Daula in Gwer as well as Upaha in Apa local government area where the construction of a rural road is also ongoing.

    NAN reports that the Upaha and Jato-Daula electrification projects have been completed and energized.

    The Mase-Paka road traverses nine communities of Agabee, Tswarikyegh, Shanna, Tse-Nyibiam, Tse-Unombor, Tse-Gbenshi, Hundu, Paka and Tse-Aku.

    A beneficiary of the road, Mr. Aniwange Iorhaa, commended government for bringing the project to the community, saying it will alleviate the community’s suffering in the transportation sector.

    At the Uturugh electrification project which covers Jiwunde and other communities, a spokesman, Moses Akura, said they will remain eternally grateful for the project, adding that when completed it would boost commerce.

    Retired Army Warrant Officer Christopher Ela said at Upaha that “Ortom has done a wonder unprecedented in the community” with the completion of the electrification project.

     

  • Ortom sacks convicted Executive Secretary

    Ortom sacks convicted Executive Secretary

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state had ordered the immediate termination of the appointment of the Executive Secretary (ES) of the Teachers Service Board (TSB), Mr James Pine, for embarrassing the state government.

    The Acting Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Bem Meladu, revealed this on Monday in Makurdi that the state government was embarrassed by the actions of Pine who assaulted a staff member under him.

    He said that Pine also used criminal force on the staff and while the case was in court, he turned
    down all overtures toward peaceful resolution of the matter.

    The SSG regretted that the matter dragged on in court till he was convicted by a court on charges
    of assault and criminal force.

    He said that very senior officials in government tried to arbitrate in the matter to no avail and
    lamented that the conviction was “very embarrassing to the government”.

    “Ortom has, therefore, directed the termination of his appointment because Pine’s conviction by the court was an embarrassment to the governor, the government and the people of the state.”

    Pine, who was appointed by Ortom in 2015, was dragged to court by one of his subordinates, James Asema, on account of assault and criminal force.

    The magistrate court had on Thursday last week found him guilty and sentenced him to five
    months imprisonment or an option of N10, 000 fine.