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Tag: Ortom

  • Only agric can tackle youth unemployment, says Ortom

    BENUE State Governor Samuel Ortom has said agriculture can provide employment for the youth.

    He urged Nigerians to take advantage of the Federal Government’s facilities, policies and programmes to embrace agric.

    In an interview, Ortom said: “I tell you, we have taken advantage of the facilities provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to improve agriculture in Benue State. As you go out from our premises, you will see 50 tractors with implements that were bought from the Central Bank facility, which we secured. We secured N2 billion from the bank and with part of it, we were able to attract Bank of Industry(BOI) to come here and help our people with a counterpart funding of N1 billion and they also brought in N1 billion and we have N2 billion in that account.

    “The whole thing is to encourage Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs), especially in agricultural processing, for people to access these loans and process.Though I am no longer chairman of the company I established because of the position I hold today, I encourage them and several other Benue people to secure a N1.5 billion facility from the CBN.

    ‘Today, if you go to the Industrial Layout, you will see a feed mill that is being constructed by this facility; you’ll see a rice mill that is being constructed by this facility; you will see a cassava and yam processing mill that is being sponsored by this facility and you’ll also see a maize flour mill that is being constructed. All the raw materials that I am talking about are home-based. You need just some little additives to complete the process, otherwise more than 90 per  cent of these raw materials are home-based.

    “Take, for instance, the cassava and yam mill produces 23 tonnes per day and that is massive. If you multiply that by 22 days in a month, you can imagine the amount of yams and cassava that will be coming in. The rice mill is 100 tonnes per day. The corn flour is 100 tonnes per day and then the feed mill is 50 tons per day. So, you can imagine the benefit for our rural farmers and our people. And there are several companies that have indicated interest through my education to assess this loan because when we got this, it was the  Minister of Agriculture that introduced it to us here.

    Ortom said about N500 million is available in the Central Bank-Agriculture Development Fund, which the Federal Government provided, adding that it has worked very well.

    The governor urged farmers to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the fund to boost their farming.

    He added: ‘’With what is happening, if yams are processed into powder form, you can take them the Asian market, the United States of America, to Europe and other parts of the world. You can imagine the number of jobs that will be created along the line and the economic impact on this state if these things are happening and if you have about 50 of the enterprises like this working for Benue State.’’

  • Ortom launches campaign against beef consumption

    •‘Buying cows is empowering the enemy’

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has urged the people to venture into rearing of goats, piggery and poultry farming, among others, as an alternative to beef.

    According to the governor, buying cows was tantamount to empowering the enemy to continue to kill harmless Benue people.

    He spoke while celebrating Christmas with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Ugba, Anyiin, Abagena and Daudu in Logo, Makurdi and Guma local governments.

    The governor advised the people to rear native cows to discourage them from buying Fulani cows, stressing that an independent survey last year showed that Benue people spent N2.1 billion on cows for Christmas.

    He added that any Benue person alleging that the state was behind the killings should be taken to a psychiatric hospital.

    Ortom noted that it was disheartening for any sane person to exonerate the militia herdsmen of killings in the state when the herders had claimed responsibility for the killings, citing conquest agenda and rustling of their cattle among others, as reasons.

    He added that he chose to celebrate the Yuletide with the IDPs because he would have also been in the camp as an IDP if he were not a governor as his village was overran by the herdsmen militia.

    The governor hinted that he got reports that herdsmen were moving into Guma and Logo councils, but warned that a law against open grazing was still in force and must be obeyed.

    The Ter Logo, Chief Jimmy Meeme, and Chairman of Logo council Richard Nyajo, said Ortom had stood for the truth and God would not let him down.

    He noted that the people would support him to achieve his desires for the state.

  • Ortom to report Akume to Tiv Council over comments on killings

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has threatened to report former Governor George Akume to the Supreme Assembly of the Tiv Area Traditional Council for accusing the state government of masterminding the killings in the state.

    Ortom spoke at Tyulen in Guma Local Government Area during at the burial of Mama Roseline Adzuu, mother of the lawmaker representing Guma in the House of Assembly, Mr. Terseer Adzuu and the governor’s Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Administration, Frank Adzuu.

    The governor said since Akume, a senator and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), told President Muhammadu Buhari that militia herdsmen were not behind the killing of Benue residents, it implied that he has adequate knowledge about the killings.

    He challenged the senator to tell the traditional council details of what he knows.

    Read also: Akume’s comment on Benue killings baseless, says Ortom

    Ortom described as shocking and unfortunate, Akume’s utterances, saying they were clearly in favour of enemies of the state.

    The governor wondered why the former governor, who he said was expected to provide leadership to the younger generation, took sides with those he said had vowed to deprive his people of their ancestral land.

     

     

     

  • Akume’s comment on Benue killings baseless, says Ortom

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has described the allegation over killings in the state by former Governor George Akume as baseless and unfounded.

    The former governor, now a senator, told reporters after he led a delegation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders on a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari the state government was behind killings in the state.

    But Ortom, who spoke through a statement by his Special Adviser (SA) on Media and ICT, Tahav Agerzua, described the allegation as unfounded.

    The statement reads: “Even those he seeks to impress at the expense of the people of the state will no doubt, sooner than later, realise that he has no positive value.

    “A few days back, the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, made a similar baseless and reckless claim on Channels Television, even as the APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, sang the same song few months earlier. It is a clear case of blaming the victim.

    “Yet, we wonder what kind of logic exists in the senator and his co-travellers’ worldview that a government popularly elected by the people for their protection and preservation will turn round to arrange the mass murder of the same people.

    “Not even the open admission of responsibility for the killings by several Fulani groups, including the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and the Fulani Nationality Movement, has persuaded the renegade senator to tone down on his toxic rhetoric.

    “On Tuesday, May 30, 2017, the leaders of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore addressed a media briefing in Abuja that the crisis in Benue State is a struggle for the natural resources of Benue and that they would mobilise their kith and kin to invade the state and resist the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017.

    “Barely 48 hours after the mass burial of 73 victims of the recent herdsmen attacks in Benue, the National Vice President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Herders Association, Husaini Yusuf Bosso, warned that more blood would be shed in the state if the anti-grazing law introduced by Governor Ortom is not completely scrapped.

    “Other Fulani leaders, including Garus Gololo, claimed responsibility for the Benue attacks and killings, citing justification for rustled cattle.

    “The Fulani Nationality Movement met in Kano and issued a statement that the Benue attacks were a continuation of the 1804 Jihad.

    “The police also arrested some of the leaders of Fulani herdsmen who attacked and killed people in Benue State, including police officers in Keana, Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.”

  • Ortom picks Abounu as running mate

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has picked his deputy, Benson Abounu, as running mate for next year’s election.

    In 2015, the governor lost the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship  primary and moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC) where the leader of the party, Senator George Akume, provided him with a platform to pick the ticket.

    Akume’s decision to give Ortom the ticket did not not down well with some aspirants, especially Emmanuel Jime, who seemed to be  coasting home to victory.

    But, Akume had his way. He also single handed chose Abounu as running mate to Ortom.

    The duo of Ortom and Abounu won the election in 2015.

    Things took a dramatic turn as Ortom dumped the APC which brought him to power for the PDP after three and half years in the saddle.

    His deputy, was silent throughout the meetings that led to Ortom’s defection .

    It took the promptings of reporters at a  function in the Government House before Abounu admitted that he will follow his boss to the PDP.

    When the governor negotiated his way back to PDP, it was a difficult time for Abounu, who was Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment under former Governor Akume.

    Abounu is not a novice when its comes to politics. He was the first politician from Benue South to contest for the position of a governor.

    Abounu’s long  silence on his next move generated controversy.

    There were rumours that he may be dropped for another candidate from Zone C.

    The choice of Abounu, as a running mate to Ortom was a hard one, but necessary for the governor. It was a matter of the “ the devil you know is better that the angel you don’t know“.

    Abounu is the chairman of Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi.

    Benson Abounu is a dutiful and loyal deputy. He never rocked the boat. He is humble, tested and trusted.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Ortom picks Abounu as running mate

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has picked his deputy, Benson Abounu, as running mate for next year’s election.

    In 2015, the governor lost the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship  primary and moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC) where the leader of the party, Senator George Akume, provided him with a platform to pick the ticket.

    Akume’s decision to give Ortom the ticket did not not down well with some aspirants, especially Emmanuel Jime, who seemed to be  coasting home to victory.

    But, Akume had his way. He also single handed chose Abounu as running mate to Ortom.

    The duo of Ortom and Abounu won the election in 2015.

    Things took a dramatic turn as Ortom dumped the APC which brought him to power for the PDP after three and half years in the saddle.

    His deputy, was silent throughout the meetings that led to Ortom’s defection .

    It took the promptings of reporters at a  function in the Government House before Abounu admitted that he will follow his boss to the PDP.

    When the governor negotiated his way back to PDP, it was a difficult time for Abounu, who was Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment under former Governor Akume.

    Abounu is not a novice when its comes to politics. He was the first politician from Benue South to contest for the position of a governor.

    Abounu’s long  silence on his next move generated controversy.

    There were rumours that he may be dropped for another candidate from Zone C.

    The choice of Abounu, as a running mate to Ortom was a hard one, but necessary for the governor. It was a matter of the “ the devil you know is better that the angel you don’t know“.

    Abounu is the chairman of Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi.

    Benson Abounu is a dutiful and loyal deputy. He never rocked the boat. He is humble, tested and trusted.

  • Tashaku: I have been vindicated –Ortom

    Governor Samuel Ortom has said that he has been vindicated by the release of Alhaji Aliyu Tarshaku by security agents.

    Tashaku, a  Boko Haram suspect, was appointed head of Civilian Joint Task Force, and when anti- Open grazing Law was enacted, he became the head of Livestock Guards .

    His reign came to an end when he was arrested by a combined team of soldiers, DSS and Police  and arms and catchment of ammunitions recovered from him

    The governor who stated this during an interaction session with the media yesterday in Makurdi pointed out that up till the time of the media interactive; he had not received any briefing on circumstances that led to the release of the former head of Livestock Guards.

    He said it was a big lie to say he was using the Tashaku to kill the people he swore on oath to protects

    The governor directed the immediate renaming of the LGEA Primary School, Ogene -Amejo in Edumoga, Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state after the 13-year old Miss Ochanya Ogbanje was reportedly raped to death by her uncle and his son.

    He said the action was to immortalize the late Miss Ochanya considering the circumstances that led to her death.

    He further directed the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, to carry out massive renovation work on the primary school to accord it a befitting standard.

    Governor Ortom expressed the hope that when the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, eventually releases its counterpart contribution to march the state government counterpart funding of N3.3 billion already deducted at source from the last tranche of Paris Club refund to the state, it would help to further improve infrastructure at the primary education level.

    He urged Benue people to keep faith with the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, whom he described as a man with the private sector background rich enough to take the nation to greater heights.

  • I’m the poorest governor in Nigeria, says Ortom

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has described himself as the poorest governor in Nigeria with a simple house he built for over eight years before his election.

    Ortom, who addressed reporters in Makurdi, the state capital, stressed that despite being a governor, he cannot compare himself with other governors who have property in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other big cities.

    He said: “My only house in Abuja is in the Games Village and my only house in Makurdi is in the Judges quarters, which everybody knows. It is just now I’m laying a foundation for a new house.”

    Ortom said the poor federal allocation accruing to Benue, occasioned by non-payment of salaries to workers, would not allow him to live a luxury life while civil servants go hungry.

    He added: “I go about in simple cars.”

    The governor blasted the Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for what he called selective war against corruption while overlooking those who belong to the ruling party.

    Ortom said he has nothing to hide while running the affairs of Benue State.

    The governor maintained that his bank accounts are available for public scrutiny.

    He hailed security agencies for the new zeal in the fight against herdsmen attack, saying the attacks on farmers had reduced while Benue would become the better and safer for it.

    Ortome said he was vindicated by the release of Tashaku Oradi from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    According to him, many people have accused him falsely of recruiting Oradi to kill innocent people.

    “Why did they release him (Tashaku) without charging him to court? I think they said Governor Ortom sponsored him to kill people,” he said.

     

  • Ortom emerges Benue PDP guber candidate

    Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has emerged as the 2019 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ortom defeated other three contestants; John Tondo, Paul Orhii and Felix Atume at the primary election.

    The Chairman, PDP Electoral Panel for the state, Hajia Zainab Maina announced that Ortom scored 2,210 votes to emerge winner, while Tondo got 475 votes and Atume and Orhii polled 44 and 10 votes respectively.

    No invalid votes were recorded during the election.

    Read Also: Air Force Jets destroys Boko Haram meeting venue

    According to her, the election is free, fair, peaceful and conducted in accordance with the party’s constitution.

    In his acceptance speech, Ortom commended the delegates for re-electing him as the party candidate, adding that he would ensure unity among party members for the progress of PDP.

    He promised to carry all aspirants along for growth and development of the state for the future generations to benefit.

    Ortom promised to carry all stakeholders along in tackling insecurity in the state in order to ensure safety of lives and property.

    He also urged those who lost in the contest to support the party candidates so as to ensure victory in the 2019 general elections.

  • APC leaders accuse Ortom of arming militia group

    •‘I don’t need militia group to win re-election’

    LEADERS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State have accused Governor Samuel Ortom of arming a militia group to cause crisis ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Addressing a gathering of APC stakeholders in Abuja at the weekend, leader of the APC Senator George Akume also accused the governor of a slew of constitutional breaches.

    Akume warned of imminent breakdown of law and order if nothing was done by the security agencies to check the governor’s alleged excesses.

    He said: “Governor Ortom, apart from recruiting and arming militia to cause mayhem in the 2019 general elections, has continued to use his Livestock Guards and Vigilante Groups to harass and intimidate APC supporters across the state.

    “Most of the affected were those who have refused to defect with him to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “Nigerians may wish to recall that in January 2018, soldiers of the 93 Battalion in Takum area of Taraba State had arrested nine members of the Benue State Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) which was later renamed Livestock Guards with AK-47 riffles.

    “The arrested members of the group are still in custody of the security agencies.

    “We therefore call on security agencies to check the activities of these groups as we gear up to the 2019 general elections.

    Akume also blamed the governor for allegedly masterminding the crisis that culminated in the change of leadership of the House of Assembly.

    But the governor dismissed accusations by Akume and his group, saying they were being sent on premature political retirement

    In a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media and ICT) Tahav Agezua, the governor also challenged Akume to account for his stewardship in the Senate in the past eleven years.

    Akume represents the Benue North West sartorial district.

    He said: “The so-called world press conference addressed by Senator Akume and his co-travellers to political retirement, in Abuja is yet another futile attempt to resurrect a diminished platform which has lost touch with the people.

    “Since Governor Ortom and other patriots in Benue State took the wise decision to dump the APC, for the PDP, Senator Akume and his small band have found it difficult to recover from this political uppercut which left their floundering and sinking party in total confusion.

    “They have consequently resorted to Ortom bashing as a favourite pastime and lamentation as if that will bring their discredited party back to life.”

    The governor argued if he could win election in 2015 without a militia group, there was no need whatsoever for him to resort to illegal means to win in 2019.

    On corruption allegation, he said: “The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) indeed investigated allegations of the N28 billion diversions against Governor Ortom and gave him a clean bill”.