The governor of Benue state, Dr. Samuel Ortom, has commended security agencies and the media for playing significant roles in warding off killer-herdsmen from over-running the state.
He said the pro-activeness of the security agencies and the vibrant and objective reports from the media helped in restoration of peace in the state.
Ortom stated this in Abuja Tuesday in his acceptance speech after being conferred with the award of Courage in Leadership” by The Sun Newspapers.
The governor, who attributed the award and his achievements to God, acknowledged that “a man can receive nothing except it is give to him from above.”
He commended security agencies and the media saying, “Today, I commend the security agencies for ensuring that the state was not over run by killer-herdsmen.
“I chose to honour and receive this award because The Sun Newspapers has established itself as a paper of repute and integrity. It is very objective in its reportage.
“I appreciate The Sun for standing with me and the people of Benue during the trying time.
The Sun was always reporting objectively to let the whole world know the kind of persecution that we were going through in Benue.”
Ortom dedicated the award to the people of the state, saying, “This award is dedicated to Benue people who stood by me during my trying period to ensure that I carried out my constitutional mandate.”
Earlier, while presenting the award, the managing director and editor-in-chief of The Sun newspapers, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, said Governors Ortom’s courage by standing firm against the activities of killer herdsmen won the award for him.
Ukeh said: “In 2015, suspected herdsmen invaded Benue and massacred farmers. In his Excellency’s determination to protect his people, he assented to grazing prohibition and ranching law in 2017 and insisted that ranching remains the global best practice for rearing livestock and ensuring peace between herdsmen and farmers.
“Governor Ortom refused to trade off the people of Benue for his political ambition. Even he was given a red card, he never caved in, but returned to his old party, the PDP, and the people did not disappoint him.”
The event was witnessed by members of the National Assembly from Benue state as well as popular musician, Zaki Azzay and Innocent Idibia popularly known as Tubaba.
