Gov. Ortom Calls For Vigilance, Restate Belief in the Unitry of Nigeria

By Aviashima Toom

Considering the persistence attack on innocent and hapless rural Benue people by Fulani herdsmen militia, Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom has called on the Benue people to remain vigilant even as he reaffirmed his belief in one united Nigeria.

The governor spoke Sunday at the 2021 Democracy Day Inter-denominational Church Service organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Benue State Chapter in conjunction with the Benue State Government held at First Baptist Church, Makurdi, Benue State.

Represented by his deputy, Engr. Benson Abounu restated his belief in one united and peaceful country.

He said that, whereas Benue State will not take up arms against any part of the country, the people of the state would not hesitate to defend themselves if attacked, adding that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees everyone the right of self defence.

He commended the leadership and members of CAN in the state for their prayers and support, and promised to fully justify the mandate given them by the Benue people.

Giving the word, the Presiding Bishop, All Nations Evangelical Ministry and National Chairman, Association of Clergies in Nigeria, Archbishop Yiman Orkwar, who preached on the theme, "hope against all hope" called on Christians not to lose hope, but to continue praying for God's intervention.

He  said only God can salvage the country from the abyss it has been driven into by a government he said has been unable to offer  offer any solution to the myriad of problems affecting the country.

Archbishop Orkwar stated that for Nigeria to prosper as a nation, our democracy must have human face, and must be anchored on the fear of God. He called for a sovereign national conference and a new constitution for the country.

State  chairman, CAN, Rev. Augustine Akpen Leva lamented the pathetic situation in the country, where life has been reduced to nothing with the daily killings of people without any response from government.

He condemned the attack and killing of innocent people, including those staying at the IDP camps by Fulani herdsmen, describing it as unacceptable.

Rev. Akpen Leva expressed worry over the silence of the federal government on the increasing cases of kidnapping, attacks by Fulani herdsmen, armed banditry and other forms of criminality in the country.

He thanked Governor Samuel Ortom and his deputy, Engr. Abounu for standing by the people of the state, and for defending the Benue Valley against the forces of external aggression and expansion.

There were prayers and thanksgiving to God for the democratic leadership in the country, and for the President and 36 governors and their cabinets to lead with the fear of God. 

 There were also prayers for peace, and an end to the divisive tendencies in Nigeria and Benue State, as well as prayers asking God to dry up the sources of sponsorship of terrorism in Nigeria and an end to shedding of blood in the country.

The prayers were led by some players in the Samuel Ortom administration among them, the Head of Service, Mrs Veronica Onyeke, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Àrc. Terwase Orbunde , the Commissioner for Lands, Sir Bernard Unenge, the commissioner for Education, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Joseph Odaudu.