By Godwin Akor
History was today made in Benue state as Governor Samuel Ortom dedicated the state to God in a grand style at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB, Square, Makurdi.
Governor Ortom who had declared a 14 day prayer for the state, lay flat on the ground to offer prayers to God for the state’s redemption.
He listed the problems of armed robbery, kidnapping, raping, maiming, destruction of property and killing by herdsmen, political differences, drunkenness, unemployment, adultery, cultism as affecting the state and asked God to forgive the people of their sins.
The Governor prayed God to restore Benue’s wealth and glory which evil forces had destroyed through sin and other evils in the past four years.
On behalf of the people he appealed for forgiveness, and pledged to do what was right.
As the Governor prostrated to pray, many of the people that attended the occasion of the dedication began to weep as other dignitaries including his wife, Dr Eunice Ortom; the Deputy Governor, Engr Benson Abounu, Senators George Akume and Barnabas Gemade, the speaker of the Assembly, Mr Terkimbi Ikyange, and others who were on the pulpit with him knelt down.
The Governor also spoke about his achievements in the past one year and called for the people’s understanding and cooperation.
He said apart from clearing arrears of salaries owed state and local government staff by the past administration with a N28 billion bailout, his administration has embarked on the construction of two new roads and completion of 12 others started by the previous administration.
“The last one year was busy and fulfilling and a year of uncommon achievements in service delivery. Together with my cabinet, we have carefully focused on my campaign promises, making every effort to translate my blueprint to reality. All I have achieved in 12 months is a result of collective effort and is beyond the expectation of those who laid booby traps for us. Now we can clearly see the hand of God in the governance of this state”, he stated.
Governor Ortom said a N10 billion infrastructure loan was obtained from the Federal Government and noted that he has been able to effectively utilize the facility for the resumption of work on abandoned roads in the three senatorial districts.
In separate words of exhortation, Brother Gbile Akanni and Senior Pastor Paul Enenche of Peace House, Gboko and Dunamis International, urged Governor Ortom to purify his administration of bad eggs and keep doing God’s will.