MIDDLE BELT FORUM
Press Statement
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) joins the teeming supporters of His Excellency, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state in congratulating him for marking the event of his 59th birthday. Considering his astounding footprints on the sands of governance in Benue state, he has, no doubt, been at the forefront of providing untainted leadership for the overall good of the majority.
In a state that was renowned with ceaseless attacks and avoidable murders resulting from internecine warfare between herdsmen and some Benue communities, Governor Ortom has stood firm and tackled this problem by facilitating the passage of the anti-open grazing law that criminalizes open grazing by herders. This has helped in drastically reducing incidence of bloodshed unleashed by arm-carrying herdsmen against defenceless communities.
Without any form of equivocation, the Governor has remained unrelenting in evolving strategies that engender development and, at the same time, rallying forces to battle perennial forces of insecurity in order to stop further decimation of farming communities by vicious attackers.
In demonstration of his political acumen in resolving issues that confront citizens of the state, Governor Ortom has retooled the wheel of governance towards attaining the best for the overwhelming majority. Besides tackling these worrisome attacks by invaders that have created a sense of insecurity across the state, the Governor has realised that security of the state should never be compromised.
Realising the need to provide dividends of democracy for the citizenry, the Ortom-led administration in Benue state has plunged headlong in combating myriad of problems plaguing the people, especially building a solid platform for the development of state. Under his watch, no fewer than 200 doctors have graduated from the Benue State University. Not only are road construction in the rural areas now a focus, the state government is aggressively involved in developing rural areas in a bid to attract investments and development.
More than anything, Governor Ortom has left no stone unturned to ensure the protection of citizens. Not only is he vigorously presently pursuing the dream of returning Internally displaced Persons (IDPs) to their sacked villages, relevant security agencies are collaborating with the Benue State Government to ensure adequate security measures for the returnee IDPs.
As someone not given to blame game and repudiating the performance profile of his predecessors, the Governor has since his inauguration as the Chief Executive of the state has completed road projects, including Oshigbudu to Obagaji, and Zaki-Biam-Afia-Gbeji, among others, on record time. Under his administration, no fewer than 34 ongoing rural road construction and electrification projects were carried out.
The MBF is pleased that Governor Ortom’s performance has not only been commendable, but also geared towards achieving the common good. as he celebrates his 59th birthday, the Middle Belt Forum is proud to associate with his numerous strides and urge him to do even more for the state. Having achieved so much since he came to power, the MBF believes that he should never let down the gauntlet in providing the dividends of democracy for his people and broadening spheres of growth in all positive ramifications.
As he marks the 59th year of his birth, we call on him never to cease from providing dividends of democracy for the state electorates and strive at all times to collaborate, as he is wont, with relevant security agencies of the Federal Government to ensure peace and order for the development of the state.
Signed:
Dr. Pogu Bitrus
President
