By Hassan Zaggi
The President of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr. Pogu Bitrus, has called on the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, not to relent in his efforts of providing dividends of democracy to residents of the state.
He made the call in a statement he personally signed, Thursday. He, however, congratulated the governor on his 59th birthday.
“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,” the MBF said.
While applauding the governor for his efforts in making impact in the lives of residents since he took over the mantle of leadership of the state, the MBF said: “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.”
