Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom says he has no regrets standing with people of the state in the face of persecution.
Governor Ortom bared his mind Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi when the Association of Benue Indigenous Publishers presented an award to him as “Greatest Leader of Our Time”.
The Governor who received the award before the commencement of the State Executive Council meeting said he was honoured that Benue people gave him their mandate for two terms, stressing that he had no regrets standing with the people against all odds.
“I am happy for this award. I have no regrets for being who I am and for doing what I did for my people in Benue State. I have no regrets at all. In fact, I have no regrets losing the Senatorial election. I have no regrets for losing it.
“I am proud of my people who elected me as Governor for the first term. And despite the opposition from the Federal Government, they elected me for a second term in 2019,” Governor Ortom stated.
He continued: “The Bible says all things work together for them that love God and all who are called according to His purpose. I love God and I am called according to His purpose. So, whatever happens to me, that is how God wants it and I give glory to His name. No going back.”
Governor Ortom used the occasion to invite the public to his Thanksgiving service to mark the end of his tenure and also for losing his senatorial election which comes up May 28th, 2023 saying, “I don’t know what would happen if I had gone to Abuja. So whichever way, I am grateful to the Almighty God.”
In his remarks, President of the Association of Benue Indigenous Publishers, Mr Akaha Sule stated that the award was in recognition of Governor Ortom’s milestones in the areas of road construction, provision of quality healthcare, educational development and upliftment of the traditional institution.
According to him, “We have come to the firm conclusion that you are a worthy, fearless, selfless, patriotic and great leader of repute. We have arrived at this, considering the bold/ fearless steps you have taken in defence of our fatherland even at the detriment of your second term aspiration as Governor, as well as Senatorial ambition.”
Mr Sule further lauded the Governor for promoting the rule of law and “demonstrating patriotism by patronizing local contractors including those in the opposition just as you have patronized local manufacturers to discourage capital flight.” he stated.
Meanwhile, Governor Ortom in his opening remarks at the State Executive Council meeting stated that the transition committee report was almost ready, noting that he shall formally handover to the incoming Governor on May 28th, 2023.
The Governor disclosed that more projects including electricity, roads, Benue Television among others executed by his administration will be commissioned during the week, stating that a road will be named after late Major Gideon Orkar who stood for truth and justice to immortalize him as well as foundation laying for BIPC Mall in Makurdi.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Joseph Ngbea presented the Governor with the Distinguished Award of Excellent Leadership presented earlier by the Association of Resident Doctors, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH for being the first Governor to domesticate the Medical Residency Training Act and Fund.
He also presented to the Governor the Award of Excellence Presented to Benue State by the Federal Government National Immunization Department for the Benue State being the best State in Immunization Performance 2022.
Earlier, Governor Ortom received the new Controller of Corrections posted to the State, CC Mary Oche and assured her of the Government’s continuous support.
“For us in Benue we will continue to support the Correctional Centre because the inmates whether they are our indigenes or not, they are our people and human beings like us.”
The Controller of Corrections, Makurdi Correctional Centre, Mrs. Mary Oche expressed appreciation to the Governor for building and donating to the Correctional facility a hostel block housing 146 inmates, paying for fines of the inmates and donation of vehicles to the Centre as well as granting pardon to some of the inmates.
She also appealed to the Governor to further assist in providing an electricity transformer for the Correctional facility to cater for stable power supply.
Nathaniel Ikyur
Chief Press Secretary
May 16th, 2023