The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ortom

  • Ortom signs MoU with Chinese firm

    Benue State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a group of Chinese companies under the auspices of CGC Alliance.

    It was signed for the industrial and commercial revitalisation of the state.

    Areas of focus include coal power plant, potable water and irrigation, renovation of agriculture service centres, building of Makurdi-Guma Road and reticulation of water in Makurdi, Otukpo and Katsina-Ala.

    Others are airport and industrial park construction, sugar cane plantation and refineries.

    Governor Samuel Ortom signed on behalf of the government in his office in the Benue Peoples House. The Managing Director of the group, Tony Ye, signed on behalf of the companies.

    The governor expressed confidence in the ability of the group to deliver, as it had built the Otobi and Katsina-Ala water works.

    He said although the state owed CGC a huge amount on the two projects, he appealed for understanding, assuring that his administration would do its best to honour contractual agreements.

    Mr. Ye said companies could team up under the alliance to handle infrastructural projects, if given the opportunity and thanked the Ortom administration for inviting them to partner in the development of the state.

    The governor has appealed to the Bill Gates Foundation to consider the whole value chain in its approach to promote the cultivation of cassava and rice in Benue.

    Ortom, who spoke when he received a delegation from the Synergos Institute, led by Adewale Ajabi, on behalf of the foundation, expressed the willingness of the state to partner viable investors and create an enabling environment to boost investments.

    He said unless attention was given to the value chain, the cassava produced would be wasted.

    Ajabi noted that the foundation was willing to collaborate with the government to assist in cassava and rice processing.

    He said the objective was to assist farmers to get value for their produce and boost the state’s economy.

    The governor also received a delegation from the Mutual Union of Tiv in America (MUTA), who were in the state for a health fair.

    He assured Mr. Doo Gar and Mrs. Tivzenda that although things were difficult, the state would assist the team.

     

  • Ortom dissolves boards

    Ortom dissolves boards

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has dissolved the boards of parastatals, non-statutory commissions and governing councils of tertiary institutions.

    A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Targema Takema, said the dissolution was with immediate effect.

    It urged heads of the affected organisations to take note.

    The governor promised to make government media establishments functional for effective dissemination of information.

    He spoke in Abuja at an interactive session with members of the People’s House Press Crew, organised by the Special Adviser on Media and ICT, Mr. Tahav Agerzua.

    Ortom, who noted the poor condition of Radio Benue and Benue Printing and Publishing Company, publishers of The Voice, assured that everything would be done to restore the lost glory of the media establishments.

    He said he would withdraw the case against Ashi Waves Radio Station, Katsina-Ala, in line with his objective of forgiveness.

    The governor said he met Benue in a bad economic state, hoping that God would help the people to surmount the problems and assist his administration to provide good governance.

    Agerzua assured Ortom that members of the People’s House Press Crew were professionals determined to support his government to succeed through fair reporting of his administration’s activities.

    The governor urged the indigenes in public offices to project the image of the state by excelling in their assignments.

    He spoke in Otukpo at a reception after a thanksgiving mass in honour of ex-Senate President David Mark, organised by the people of Benue South Senatorial District.

    Represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Terwase Orbunde, Ortom acknowledged the achievements of the lawmaker at the Senate, saying Benue people were proud of him.

    Senator Mark said the successes recorded in piloting the affairs of the upper chamber in the last eight years were accomplished by the grace of God and through the support of his colleagues, friends and well-wishers.

  • Ortom resumes, appoints SSG, others

    Ortom resumes, appoints SSG, others

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom yesterday assumed duty at the Government House, Makurdi at 11am.

    He made his first appointment with Targema Takema becoming the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). Terwase Torbunde was appointed as the Chief of Staff and Tahav Agerzua, the Head of Media and Information Technology.

    The governor was received by the Permanent Secretary, Government House Administration, Eugene Ivase and senior civil servants.

    He was led into his office by the Chief Security Officer (CSO), Dickson Pawa and clerics, who prayed and anointed the office.

  • Ortom to scrutinise Suswam’s notes

    A benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has said he would scrutinise the handover notes of his predecessor, Dr. Gabriel Suswam and make disclosure about the state’s financial status

    He spoke at a thanksgiving service at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Mega parish, Makurdi to conclude activities organised for his inauguration.

    Ortom said the disclosure became necessary because the figure of N9.3billion, which Suswam gave as the debt profile of Benue, was not a true reflection of the state of affairs, as it did not include arrears of salaries, allowances, retirement benefits, commitments to contractors and other obligations.

    He promised to fight corruption so that he would conserve funds to develop the state.

    Dignitaries at the event included Senators Akume and Gemade, former Deputy Governor Chief Steve Lawani and others.

  • ‘Ortom ’ll reposition Benue’

    ‘Ortom ’ll reposition Benue’

    Groups and individuals coming to pay courtesy calls on the Benue State Governor-elect, Dr. Samuel Ortom, have advised him to rule with the fear of God. The visitors overwhelmed his Makurdi Judges Quarters residence. He had to host other large groups in nearby Senator George Akume’s house.

    Also, overwhelming are the gifts the visitors bring. Community development associations, women, men, youth groups professionals, politicians, and individuals throng the residence to felicitate with their new governor.

    Attempts by aides led by the campaign adviser, Terwase Orbunde, and erstwhile administrative secretary, Abrahams Kwaghngu, and even Chief Dr Ortom himself to schedule the visits and bring sanity have so far proved abortive.

    The former Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, apologised to a delegation of community leaders from Nongov, in Guma local government area, and other groups for the rowdy situation.

    He said those who gate crash always disrupt arrangements made with those who had booked appointment. He said it was a moment of joy and therefore, inappropriate to turn anyone away.

    Delegations from Gboko, Gwer, Makurdi, Obi, and Oju who had been scheduled to meet with Chief Dr Ortom could not find space in his residence and had to be moved to Senator Akume’s residence.

    Last week, when he returned from a trip to China, aides were astonished with the governor-elect’s stamina as he stood in the scorching sun from morning till evening addressing groups.

    Although he wanted to meet with about 10 groups he ended up with about 30.

    Each group usually insisted on praying, making an address through leader of the delegation who most times read a written catalogue of demands and announced gifts brought after which Chief Ortom responded and assisted with fare for the return trip.

    Most times, the groups and individuals insisted on taking a photograph with him and he always obliged.

    So far Nongov community in Guma local government area have presented the largest gifts comprising 3,000 yams, 10 cows, a ram, five 20 litres each of palm and ground nut oils, as well as baskets of fish and onions.

    A team of women in the house has a hectic time serving food and water and other refreshments.

  • Ortom promises credible council poll in Benue

    Ortom promises credible council poll in Benue

    Benue State Governor-elect Samuel Ortom has promised that his administration will conduct credible a local government election when he assumes office.

    The governor-elect spoke in Makurdi, the state capital, when he hosted a delegation of the Nongov community during a congratulatory visit.

    Ortom hails from Nzorov, a part of the community, in Guma Local Government Area.

    The governor-elect decried the practice of the party outgoing ruling party in the state, which he said always ensured that it won 100 per cent in local government elections.

    He said his administration would allow the people to choose their grassroots leaders through credible, free and fair polls.

    The former Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment said it was incumbent on the leaders of the incoming All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, particularly its governors, to replicate the conduct of credible polls the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) achieved in the last general elections.

    He noted that though the challenges facing the state were frightening, they could be surmounted through collective efforts and the deployment of international best practices.

    President of the Makurdi branch of Nongov Community Development Association, Chief Samuel Aga, told Ortom that members of the association were elated by his election victory.

    He expressed gratitude to God and the people of the state for voting for Ortom to enable him pursuing his aspirations for the state.

     

  • Ortom: our govt’ll punish corrupt officials

    Ortom: our govt’ll punish corrupt officials

    Benue State Governor-elect Samuel Ortom has said his administration will punish corrupt government officials to curb corruption.

    The governor-elect spoke at a church service at NKST Yina, in Makurdi, the state capital.

    He said one of the ways to conserve scare resources to confront the financial challenges confronting the state is to tackle corruption in consonance with the principles of the Muhammadu Buhari administration at the federal level.

    The former Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, noted that at the personal level, he had forgiven those who offended him during the campaigns.

    Ortom promised to allow the law to take its course on those who offended the state.

    The governor-elect said his spiritual powers saw him through with the prayers of the Christian community, irrespective of their denomination.

    He said his emergence as governor-elect had convinced unbelievers of the existence and power of God and strengthened the faith of believers who saw God’s power in his favour during the election.

    According to him, his administration will provide a conducive environment for the private sector to thrive.

    Ortom urged those with creative and viable business ideas to bring them forward for funding.

    The governor-elect said they would be sourced from within and outside the country.

    He pledged to implement the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which would provide free and compulsory primary and secondary school education in the state.

    Resident Pastor DKurugh Antyev hailed Ortom for showing appreciation for his victory.

  • Ortom to Benue electorate: I won’t let you down

    Ortom to Benue electorate: I won’t let you down

    Benue State Governor-elect Samuel Ortom has lauded voters in the state for entrusting him with their mandate, promising never to let them down.

    Speaking through Mr. Tahav Agerzua, the media director of Ortom/Abounu Governorship Campaign Organisation,  Dr Ortom, attributed the nationwide electoral victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to God’s intervention in human affairs and the people’s determination to effect change.

    Ortom said the victory has placed upon the APC a huge responsibility to turn around the fortunes of the state for the better, stressing that the party cannot afford to toy with what he called a sacred responsibility.

    The governor-elect pledged to govern with the fear of God which according to him, will translate to the entrenchment of core values.

    He listed truthfulness, selflessness, honesty, transparency, accountability, fairness, integrity, integration, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation, peace and unity as the attributes that will stimulate development.

    Ortom urged politicians from all political divides in the state to be civil and decorum in the discharge of their duties and activities. He promised to accelerate the process of healing and unification.

    He also lauded leaders and supporters of other political parties and all other stakeholders for their various roles in ensuring the smooth conduct of elections in the state.

    The governor-elect commended Governor Gabriel Suswam, the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) its governorship candidate, Prince Terhemen Tarzoor and his campaign organisation for accepting the results in good faith in the spirit of good sportsmanship.

  • Ortom hails Benue electorate

    Ortom hails Benue electorate

    Benue State Governor-elect Samuel Ortom has hailed the people for giving him the mandate to rule.

    In a statement by the Media Director of the Ortom/Abounu Governorship Campaign Organisation, Mr. Tahav Agerzua, Dr. Ortom attributed the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to God’s intervention in human affairs and the determination of the people to effect change.

    He said the victory conferred on the APC a responsibility to turn around the fortunes of the state, stressing that the party cannot afford to toy with this sacred duty.

    According to him, the people voted for change, which they must get.

    The governor-elect pledged to rule with the fear of God, which would translate into entrenching core values.

    He listed these as truthfulness, selflessness, honesty, transparency, accountability, fairness, integrity, integration, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation, peace and unity.

    Ortom enjoined politicians and citizens to be civil and  exercise decorum in their conduct and speech, eschew violence and take steps to accelerate healing and unification.

    He praised Governor Gabriel Suswam, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its governorship candidate, Prince Terhemen Tarzoor, and his campaign organisation for accepting the results in good faith.

    The governor-elect promised to promote excellence and merit above sycophancy and mediocrity.

  • Ortom: I’ll reconcile people in 100 days

    Benue State Governor-elect Samuel Ortom has said he will focus on reconciling the people in his first 100 days.

    He spoke when a group of five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants visited him to congratulate him in his Makurdi home.

    Dr. Ortom said if the people were united, they would achieve more.

    The former Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment said he would tap people’s talents irrespective of ethnicity, political and religious affiliations, to enable him move the state forward.

    He said the aspirants were experienced and patriotic indigenes, who sought to offer quality service to the people, assuring that he would rely on them to deliver on his mandate. Ortom pledged to promote excellence above sycophancy and mediocrity.

    The governor-elect said his doors remained open to the PDP members, adding that they were free to offer suggestions on what could be done to develop the state.

    “You should feel free to correct me if I make mistake.”

    The group’s spokesman, Mr. Hingah Biem, congratulated Ortom and urged him to reconcile the indigenes and transform the state.

    He pledged their support for the governor-elect.