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Tag: Samuel Ortom

  • Efforts ongoing to free Kidnapped catholic priest – Ortom

    Efforts ongoing to free Kidnapped catholic priest – Ortom

    Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom has assured the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo that the State Government has intensified efforts to secure the release of the Vicar General of the Diocese, Reverend Father John Adeyi, who was kidnapped two weeks ago.

    The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo has severally pleaded for his release saying they don’t pay ransom as such has no money to do so.

    Rev Adeyi, who is the Vicar General of Catholic Diocese   of Otkupo  and priest in charge of St Bernard Catholic Church Okpoga, in Benue south was kidnapped two weeks ago after he conducted a mass at an out station church .

    Governor Ortom who gave the assurance when he paid a solidarity visit to the Bishop of Otukpo Diocese, Most Reverend Dr. Michael Apochi, said the State Security Council had met and directed that everything lawful should be done to ensure that Reverend Father Adeyi regains freedom.

    He expressed worry that after two weeks of the priest’s abduction, he is yet to be freed, describing the situation as unfortunate and condemnable.

    Governor Ortom who was accompanied by his Deputy, Engineer Benson Abounu, said they were at the Bishop’s house to identify with him and the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo and to reassure them that the State Government will not relent in its efforts to ensure the unconditional release of the Vicar General.

    He stressed the commitment of his administration to the security of lives and property, disclosing that part of the measures taken was the introduction of the anti-kidnapping law which will soon be enacted in the state, adding that he had intensified talks with the Federal Government towards ending frequent attacks and killing of people by herdsmen in the state.

    Responding, the Bishop of Otukpo Diocese, Most Reverend Dr. Michael Apochi, thanked Governor Ortom for the visit and his prompt action to have Reverend Father Adeyi released by his abductors. He said the Church will continue to pray for the safe return of the Vicar General.

  • Ortom visits Agatu over herdsmen attacks

    Ortom visits Agatu over herdsmen attacks

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has solicited assistance from the Federal Government, global agencies, organizations, and individuals to rehabilitate destroyed communities in Agatu and other parts of the state.

    He also requested federal government’s support to institute a commission of inquiry to examine the causes of the attacks, document the losses and recommend solutions.

    Governor Ortom made the requests while speaking with journalists in Okokolo, Agatu local government area after the state executive and security councils inspected some communities destroyed by herdsmen during the recent attacks.

    He described the magnitude of destruction as monumental and far beyond the financial capacity of the state to rehabilitate the affected communities.

    The Governor said he had visited some of the places attacked by insurgents in the North East but the magnitude of devastation in Agatu far exceeded those places.

    Governor Ortom requested the Federal government and people of goodwill across the world to assist the Benue State government to enable ravaged communities to recover and get their lives together again.

    According to him, farming and grazing were incompatible hence the imperative to establish ranches as a permanent solution to the incessant clashes between farmers and herders.

    He announced that the state government would construct the road from Obagaji to Agagbe in Gwer West local government area while the road from Oshigbudu to Obagaji would be completed in order to enhance accessibility to the area.

    Governor Ortom stated that with the inspection, the councils would take further steps to secure the area so that the people could return to their homes.

    He addressed the affected communities at Aila, Okoklo and those displaced at Obagaji.

    Those who spoke including Agatu Caretaker chairman, Joseph Ngbede, traditional rulers of Agatu and Apa, Chiefs Godwin Onah and John Antenyi, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leader in the area, John Ngbede, Special Adviser, Alhaji Isah Usman, Assembly member. Alhaji Sale Audu, and former council chairman, Mike Inalegwu commended Governor Ortom for his efforts in restoring peace in the area.

  • Ortom wants quick end to farmers/herdsmen clashes

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom on Thursday sought more cooperation from the Federal Government to end the hostilities between farmers and herdsmen in his state.

    He spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, the invasion of Agatu local government area of the state by herdsmen is getting out of hand.

    Stressing that several settlements have been razed down, the governor said an undisclosed number of people have been killed, while many of them have become refugees.

    He said: “There are issues in my state especially the invasion of one of my local government areas by herdsmen.

    “While we are making our own efforts to ensure that we maintain law and order, I thought it was necessary to also brief the Presidency.

    “We also discussed other issues of interest. I think that the situation in Benue, especially in Agatu is getting out of hand.

    “I cannot sit back in Benue State when such thing is happening.

    “The security agents within the state are also trying. The police, the army, the civil Defence and the DSS have tried their best to address the situation. We have been holding series of meetings. It is really alarming.”

     

  • Buhari backs Benue amnesty programme

    Buhari backs Benue amnesty programme

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Tuesday said President Muhammadu Buhari has thrown his weight behind the amnesty programme initiated by the state government to get illegally armed youths in the state to surrender their weapons.

    The governor spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

    According to him, President Buhari endorsed the programme after he briefed him on the security situation in the state.

    Ortom said the President was impressed with the success of the amnesty programme which started last year, and gave him the nod to continue with it as part of efforts to keep the state and the nation safer.

    He said the state government would in turn support efforts of the federal government on the war against corruption because the optimum use of the country’s vast resources at a time of dwindling oil revenues is seriously hampered by corruption.

    He also denied the recent allegations of bailout funds misuse by his administration.

     

     

  • FG ‘inherited’ N13.6b Abacha loot

    FG ‘inherited’ N13.6b Abacha loot

    The ‎President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration on Thursday disclosed that it inherited a total of N13.6 billion from the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration as loot recovered from family of former Head of State, late Gen. Sani Abacha.

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, stated this to journalists at the end of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the State House, Abuja.

    The NEC comprises state governors, federal attorney-general, Central Bank of Nigeria, Ministries of National Planning, Finance, and Federal Capital Territory.

    Ortom‎ said the balance of the Abacha loot as at end of November 2015 stood at $26,000,389 and £19,000,033 respectively.

    According to the governor, giving the exchange rate of N260 per dollar and N360 per pound, the total balance is estimated at N13.6 billion.

    Ortom said the Buhari administration which came on board in May this year, has not touched the money.

    He said: “We were also briefed on updates on Abacha loots in Council. The Accountant General of the Federation reported that the dollar account as at November 2015 ending has a balance of $26,000,389.00 while the pounds sterling has a balance of £19,000,033.00 That is where we are today.”

    Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, said the Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefuele, briefed the Council on foreign exchange policy.

     

  • Benue: Court upholds Ortom’s election

    Benue: Court upholds Ortom’s election

    The election of Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state was on Wednesday upheld by the court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi, Benue state.

    The election Tribunal had affirmed the qualification and election of Ortom as governor of Benue state, but Terhemen Tarzoor, the governorship candidate of the PDP, had asked the court to reverse the tribunal’s judgment in his favour.

     

  • Benue people want Suswam probed – Ortom

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Wednesday maintained that the people of his state want thorough investigation of activities under former governor Gabriel Suswam.

    Suswam has gone to court in attempt to halt the probe of his administration.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, Ortom said it was the desire of the people to know how the commonwealth of the state was spent, especially as the current administration in the state met empty treasury.

    He said: “I am handling the matter in a legitimate manner. It has to do with the rule of law and due process. I set up two panels, one judicial panel to verify the income expenditure from 2007 to 2015 and also a panel to verify the assets of government, so that we can get things in the right perspective.

    “I met a deficit treasury and the people of Benue State want to know what happened with their money, what happened with the SURE-P money, what went wrong with the excess crude money that came to Benue State, what went wrong with the shares of government in various corporations that were sold, where did the money go? These are questions that are begging for answer, which the people of Benue State told me to verify and am doing that.”

    “My predecessor went to court and stopped the process with an injunction and we have also made our facts known to the court and we are waiting for a judgment on the 9th. But after verification I believe that I will ensure due process in handling the matter.”

    He, however, said that his discussion with the President has nothing to do with Suswam’s case.

     

  • Road projects: NEC approves N535.5b reimbursement to states

    Road projects: NEC approves N535.5b reimbursement to states

    The National Economic Council (NEC) meeting on Thursday approved the reimbursement of N535.5 billion to states for the expenses incurred on Federal roads.

    Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    He was accompanied to the briefing by governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta).

    Ajimobi said: “Another issue discussed is on refund of expenses incurred on repair of federal roads by states. As listed here, we have 13 states that have fully complied with the reimbursements requirements, we have eight states that have partially complied, 21 states without compliance and the total sum of claims to be reimbursed is exactly 535, 596, 386, in other words, N535.5 billion.”

    [ad id=”403656”]He said N13 billion has been disbursed to states as at 2013 and that the challenges faced had to do with inadequate funding in the ministry.

    He also disclosed that 26 state governments have applied for restructuring of their bank loans amounting to N500 billion.

    While 11 of the states have concluded and submitted all relevant documents, he disclosed that 13 states are involved in the second phase that will commence soon.

    He added: “The other major item that was discussed had to do with the restructuring of bank loans to state governments, and the restructuring was done into Federal Government bonds and the DG of DMO reported as follows: That 26 states applied for the loans, 11 states have concluded and submitted all relevant documents and 13 states are involved in the second phase to commence immediately. The total money involved in the restructuring stood at over N500 billion.”

     

     

  • BENUE seeks SMEDAN’S partnership

    BENUE seeks SMEDAN’S partnership

    The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, yesterday solicited partnership with the management of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) in order to empower the citizens of the state economically.

    He spoke when the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Alhaji Bature Umar Masari, led directors to pay him a courtesy call at the Governor’s Lodge, Abuja.

    He said the times dictated that leaders must think outside the box to create massive employment, wealth and opportunities.

    He said: “It’s only when the private sector comes in form of micro, small and medium enterprises that we can surmount challenges of poverty and unemployment because government at all levels cannot provide the needed jobs.

    “My administration will be working closely with your agency so as to be able to tap the opportunities that we have in SMEDAN to be able to support our people to empower themselves economically.”

    The governor requested a position paper and details on areas of the partnership as soon as possible.

    “I worked with you in the Ministry, therefore my people are looking up to me to unveil a comprehensive programme in this area,” he stressed.

    Responding, Masari assured that the agency would launch its programmes in Benue State.

    He said: “We’re willing and ready to partner with you so that we can help your government attain its target of poverty reduction and developing its economy.

    “Benue is a state that is hugely blessed and we’re willing to tap the resources and talents in transforming the potentials into economic benefits.”

    He expressed optimism that with Ortom’s background and experience, he would steer the state in the right direction.

    Masari presented copies of the Federal Government’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises policy to Governor Ortom.

  • ‘Aviation debt down by N21b’

    ‘Aviation debt down by N21b’

    The Ministry of Aviation has said it has reduced its debt profile from N174 billion to N153billion.

    Former Supervising Minister of the Ministry, Samuel Ortom, who spoke in Abuja during the hand over to the new Minister, Osita Chidoka, said an interim report has shown that the debt profile has gone down.

    Ortom had set up a committee to look into the debt profile of the ministry. He explained that with the aid of the committee report, which is still ongoing, the ministry’s indebtedness has been reduced by about N21 billion.

    He said: “We received an interim report that gave us a figure of N174 billion commitment. The committee’s work is still going on; we have not concluded the work yet, but as at today, because of further verifications and other payments that had been made, we have been able to bring down the figure to N153 billion commitment.”

    He added that the commitments are for projects.

    Ortom also used the occasion to set agenda for the new minister, especially in relation to the establishment of a national carrier, even as he expressed optimism that the coming of the new minister will bring the floating of national carrier to fruition.

    Responding, Chidoka said the safety of the country’s airspace and security of aviation infrastructure remains two cardinal objectives for him to move the ministry forward. He then promised to continue getting briefing from the heads of department, permanent secretary and the parastatals, after which he will be in a position to tell Nigerians, clearly, where the industry is and where he hopes to pilot it to.

    “We are going to look at what the outgoing supervising minister has done with a view to maintaining them, improving on the ones that are going on and also to also take a step by step approach towards achieving our national aspirations in the aviation industry,” he assured.

    Chidoka also promised to establish cordial working relationship with the professionals in the ministry.

    He said: “I will seek professional advice; I will work with the system; we will align our processes to meet with government rules and regulations and we will ensure that the ultimate issue of mobility, which is what aviation is about, is done in a safe and secured manner.”