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Politics

Benue PDP Chairman tasks Councillors on quality legislation

 

Legislation

By Nicholas Dechi

Makurdi, Dec.30, 2020 (NAN) The Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue, Mr John Ngbede, has urged Councillors to prioritise issues bordering on the wellbeing rural dwellers in the state.

Ngbede gave the advice on Wednesday in Makurdi when the Councillors’ Forum of Nigeria, Benue State Chapter, led by its Chairman, Mr Terungwa Kusugh, paid him a courtesy visit.

He noted that quality legislation with direct bearing on the rural dwellers would go a long way to move the third tier of government forward.

Ngbede further charged the Councillors to live up to their responsibility in order to entrench development at the local government level.

“The Gov. Samuel Ortom-led administration is poised towards giving elected officials free hands to run their affairs.

“However, it will not hesitate to mete out sanctions to those who will attempt to take their responsibility for granted.

“You should at all times engage the executive arm constructively and also avoid unnecessary confrontations,” he said.

Earlier, Kusugh said that the visit was to thank the party for availing them the platform to contest for the elections which they eventually won.

He said that the forum was not meant to antagonise, but to enhance a harmonious relationship with local government council chairmen in order to bring the desired development to the people at the grassroots.

Kusugh pledged the commitment of the forum to the party. (NAN)

DND/ESAN/IU
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Edited by Abiodun Esan and Isaac Ukpoju

General news

Yuletide: Tor Tiv bans picnics in Tivland

Xmas

By Nicholas Dechi

Buruku (Benue), Dec.15, 2020 (NAN) The Tor Tiv of Tivland in Benue, Prof. James Ayatse, has banned his subjects from organising picnics during the Christmas and New year festivities slated between Dec.25 and Jan.1,2021.

The Tor Tiv gave the warning on Tuesday at Mbatie, Buruku Local Government Area of Benue while addressing traditional rulers, women cooperatives and stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

The paramount ruler lamented the unfortunate instances where lives of fun-seeking people were lost during such picnics, some of which took place at the riverside.

He said: “Some go for picnics on mountains and rivers across the state.

“While at the picnics, they drink to stupor and get themselves drowned  in the river.

“Also, some have accidents on their way back because they will drink and ride or drive recklessly.

“I don’t want the loss of any of my subjects. I want all of them to stay alive and contribute meaningfully to the development of the Tiv nation in particular and the globe in general.”

He, therefore, charged the traditional rulers to enforce the ban in their respective places and pledged  to contact security agencies for the enforcement of the ban.

Ayatse, therefore, appealed to all fun-seekers to obey the ban or incur the wrath of his kingship. (NAN)

DND/PD/MNA
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Edited by Philip Dzeremo/Maureen Atuonwu

General news

Gov. Ortom congratulates Adesina on his re-election as President of  AfDB

 

Re-election

By Nicholas Dechi

Makurdi, Aug. 28, 2020 (NAN) Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue on Friday congratulated Dr Akinwumi Adesina on his re-election for another five-year term as the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The congratulatory message is contained in a statement signed by Ortom’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Terver Akase in Makurdi.

Ortom said the election result, which gave Adesina 100 per cent votes from all regional and non-regional members of the Bank affirmed his competence.

“This affirmed the competence of the former Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to head the Bank for a second term.

“Adesina will continue to distinguish himself in driving a robust agenda to reform the bank for Africa’s development.

“The unopposed re-election of the AfDB President which followed his clearance after a corruption probe, has further brightened his credentials as one of Africa’s trusted administrators,” he said.

Ortom said that Adesina deserved support to enable him have a successful tenure of office. (NAN)

DND/DEB/PAD
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Edited by Debo Oshundun/Peter Dada

General news

Gov. Ortom pledges support for good FG policies

Support

By Nicholas Dechi

Makurdi, Aug. 27, 2020 (NAN) Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue, on Thursday, pledged his government resolve to support all good policies initiated by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

Ortom made the pledge when the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uchechukwu Ogar, paid him a courtesy visit in Makurdi.

“I am ready and ever willing to support good policies that can add value to the development of the country at large and Benue in particular.

“Politics is over, now is governance; we have to synergise in order to put smiles on the faces of our people.

“But I will not hesitate to criticise where necessary.

“My criticism will not be destructive but constructive,’’ he said.

Ortom commended the Federal Government for supporting the state to tackle its security challenges.

“The presence of the security forces deployed to the state by the federal government has brought relative peace to the state.’’

Earlier, the minister sought for synergy between the state and the ministry.

“We are seeking your support and cooperation for enhanced revenue generation from mining operations due to the federal government, from which the state government enjoys statutory allocation and 13 per cent derivation.

“We are also seeking partnership to fight illegal mining and smuggling of mineral commodities.

“We will support the creation of conducive environment for boosting mining operations and businesses in Benue,’’ Ogar said. (NAN)

DND/COF/AIB
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Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Abdulfatah Babatunde

Agriculture

Agriculturist fears drought may cause famine in Benue

Drought

By Nicholas Dechi

Makurdi, Aug. 20, 2020 (NAN) An agricultural expert, Mr Thomas Unongo, has observed that the prolonged absence of rains in Benue could lead to famine as many crops were beginning to wither.

Unongo, who is the Director, Agricultural Services, Benue State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, made the observation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Makurdi.

“Prolonged absence of rains can lead to loss of moisture in the soil, thereby affecting crops which might lead to famine.

“In order to tackle drought, farmers should strive to plant only drought resistance crops for their overall good and that of the society,’’ he said.

He further advised farmers to apply only liquid and crystalline fertiliser through foliar application during drought period.

“They should avoid the use of herbicides to weed farmland during this period of drought.

“The farmers should mulch newly planted seeds or seedlings,’’ Unongo advised, adding they should irrigate all newly planted seedlings and small scale farms of less than quarter hectare. (NAN)

DND/AWA/AIB
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Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa/Abdulfatah Babatunde

Education

Don’t shun invitations by investigative panels, Ortom advises appointees

Investigation

By Nicholas Dechi

Makurdi, Aug.18, 2020 (NAN) Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has advised both current and former appointees in the state to always appear before investigative panels, when invited.

Ortom gave the advice on Tuesday in Makurdi when the Committee saddled with the responsibility of investigating the current state of the State Teaching Service Board (TSB) presented its report to him.

The governor said that when they fail to make such appearance before investigative panels,  they would be doing a lot of disservice to themselves.

“You will be doing yourselves a lot of disservice when you are invited to come and make explanation on an issue or issues concerning you and you fail to turn up.

“The panel avails you the opportunity to come and clear the doubts about you, but if you fail  to appear, whatever the outcome may be, it will be assumed right,” he said.

Ortom said that by  appearing before such panels,  they would have the opportunity to plead for pardon, where necessary, and could be given a second chance.

“I believe in the rule of law. I also believe in following due process. The state government will take a critical look at the findings of the report and take action,” he said.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to Ortom on Education, Dr Sarwuan Tarnongo,  intimated the governor of some of the findings.

The adviser said that the board had six directorates which ought to be pruned down to three. (NAN)

DND/CHOM/SOA

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Oluwole Sogunle

 

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General news

Do not emulate corrupt leaders– Ortom cautions youth

Sycophants

By Nicholas Dechi

Makurdi, Aug.12, 2020 (NAN) Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has cautioned Nigerian youth against following footsteps of corrupt leaders in the country.

Ortom disclosed this when the Benue Youth Parliament paid him  a courtesy visit on Wednesday in Makurdi.

He expressed regret that many leaders were full of deceit, stressing that lies had taken over the leadership in the country.

“Leaders pay lip service to issues. They do not even respect the rule of law. The rule of law is selective. A big shame for us who are leaders. I pray God to help us,” he said.

He admonished youths not to take after them, by not allowing greed into their lives.

The governor said he hated dealing with sycophants and people who did not tell him the truth.

”I like to be criticized but it should be constructive criticism,” he said.

Ortom charged them to use their time to indulge in things that would benefit them and the society and not to indulge in ungodly acts.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, Mrs Ladi Ajene, applauded Ortom for involving youths in governance by curbing unemployment among the youths.

“He employed over 5,000 youths at the Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) as well as hundreds of them as lecturers at the Benue State University, Makurdi,” he said.

Majority Leader, Benue Youth Parliament, Mr John-Mark Tyonongo, appealed to the governor to give 40 per cent of appointments to the youths.

A member of the National Youth Parliament, Dr Timothy Ashibi, said they were advocating for a North Central Development Commission which would be saddled with the task of resettling displaced persons.

The President-General, Tiv Youth Organization, Mr Timothy Hembaor, appealed to Ortom to involve the youths in the security committee.

The Minority Whip, Benue Assembly, Mr Cephas Dyako, called on the governor to give more attention to the agricultural sector, stressing that if that was done, most of the challenges faced by youths would be solved. (NAN)

DND/OIF/MNA
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Maureen Atuonwu

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Economy

Gov. Ortom signs revised 2020 budget into law

Budget

By Nicholas Dechi

Makurdi, July 27, 2020 (NAN) Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has signed the revised 2020 state budget of N108.82 billion into law.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor signed the revised budget on Monday in Makurdi.

Ortom said that the initial budget estimate for 2020 was N190.89 billion.

“This figure represents a reduction of N80,660 billion or 43 per cent from the approved year 2020 revenue estimates,” he said.

The governor said that recurrent expenditure had been reduced from N108.55 billion to N68.56 billion in the revised approved 2020 Budget.

Ortom said: “Personnel cost, N50,637 billion to N37, 286 billion while Overhead is reduced from N63,911 billion to N31,271 billion.

“Capital cost is reduced from N74,934 billion to N40,265 billion and the total reduced from N190,886 billion to N108,822 billion.

“You will all recall that the 2020 budget was reviewed and passed by the State House of Assembly and I, duly signed it into law on Dec. 30, 2019 for implementation with effect from Jan. 1, 2020.

“However, by the end of the first quarter it became clear that we must revise the budget as a result of the global economic shocks created by the oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia and the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is in response to these changing circumstances that we have been forced to revise the macroeconomic projections on which the approved budget was set.”

The governor further said that based on the projections, the state was facing a fall in both oil-related and non-oil revenues, which could be between  57 per cent to 67 per cent drop over the course of the year.

He stressed that income from traditional revenue sources such as earnings, tax, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) under-recovery (now zero) and Value Added Tax (VAT) is expected to decline along with the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

“Needless to say, these adjustments have made it necessary for us to revise the approved 2020 budget,” Ortom added. (NAN)

DND/MAM/IU

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Edited by Modupe Adeloye and Isaac Ukpoju

Health

Gov. Ortom’s chief of staff tests negative to COVID-19

Gov. Ortom’s chief of staff tests negative to COVID-19

Coronavirus

By Nicholas Dechi

Makurdi, July 26, 2020 (NAN) The Chief of Staff (CoS) to Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue, Mr Terwase Orbunde who tested negative to Coronavirus pandemic had been discharged from the isolation and treatment centre.

Orbunde stated this in a statement on Sunday in Makurdi, adding that he had since resumed duties.

“It will be recalled that on July 4, I informed the public that I tested positive to COVID-19.

“Consequently, I went into self-isolation in compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

“After observing the stipulated protocols and having received the required treatment, I wish to state that the officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) after conducting other subsequent tests have declared that I am negative.

“The centre has also released me from isolation. I have since resumed my usual official duties,” he said.

The CoS, who expressed his appreciation to God for the fast healing, also thanked Gov. Ortom and the COVID-19 Committee chaired by the Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Benson Abounu, and all the frontline staff who stood by him during the trying time.

“I appreciate my wife, Abigail; my immediate family, the brethren, associates, staff, well-wishers and all those who stood by me through prayers and other forms of support.

“I stand in prayers with the first Lady, Dr Eunice Ortom; the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Anthony Ijohor; the Head of Service (HoS), Mrs Veronica Onyeke and all those who are infected by the virus, for their speedy and total recovery.

“I pledge to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the fight against the pandemic and to take all measures required to be safe while encouraging people to make themselves available for test and comply with the relevant protocols,” Orbunde said. (NAN)

DND/AZA/PAD
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Edited by Polycarp Auta/Peter Dada

Environment

Flood: Gov. Ortom appeals to FG on dredging of River Benue

Flooding
By Nicholas Dechi
Makurdi, July 25, 2020 (NAN) Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue on Saturday, appealed to the Federal Government to dredge River Benue to tackle the perennial flood in the state permanently.

Ortom made the plea in an interview with newsmen shortly after inspecting the flooded areas in Makurdi.

“Dredging of River Benue remains the best option to curtail flooding in the state.

“If the river is dredged, the perennial challenge of flooding in the state will be tackled permanently,” he said.

He called on National Assembly members representing the state to liaise with the Federal Government with a view to getting the river dredged.

The governor advised people to desist from building on waterways, saying that it was causing more harm than good.

He also warned people that built without getting approval from Urban Development Board (UDB) to desist forthwith.

He emphasised that any building in the state that did not have approval would be pulled down and no compensation would be paid to the owners.

Ortom said that the state government through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) would make adequate arrangement to provide a temporary shelter for the people that would be displaced. (NAN)
DND/KOLE/AJA
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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Adeleye Ajayi