Gunmen suspected to be bandits have attacked the convoy of Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.

The incident, as gathered happened on Saturday at Tyo Mu along Makurdi/Gboko road in Makurdi Local Government Area of the state.

Briefing journalists, Governor Ortom, who described the gunmen as ‘herdsmen’, said about 15 of the attackers trailed him to the river bank where he was on foot.

The governor also commended his security details that were just about six in numbers for responding quickly to the attack and repelled them promptly before providing cover for him to return to safety and his vehicles.

According to Ortom, the troops of operation whirl stroke, the police and DSS have mobilised to the forest between Tyo-Mu and Abinse where the armed herdsmen camp to comb the area.

The governor  further called for the arrest and prosecution of the leadership of Miyetti Allah, Kautal Hore who only last week, gathered in Yola the Adamawa state capital to single him out for assassination.

Ortom asked President Muhammadu Buhari and the security chiefs to expect a formal petition from his lawyers and move quickly to arrest the situation.

The post Insecurity: Governor Ortom’s convoy attacked in Benue first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post Insecurity: Governor Ortom’s convoy attacked in Benue appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

The UN Country Director, Edward Kallon disclosed this in Makurdi, the Benue state capital at a meeting with Governor Samuel Ortom, noting that killings by armed herdsmen and bandits outweigh killings by the Book Haram terrorist in the country.

According to Kallon, “pockets of conflicts and insecurity in the country at large especially where I am today (Benue), the herders and farmers crisis and also kidnapping and banditry. This is now really getting out of hand.

“The last statistics I saw from the government was that over 1,400 people were killed as a result of kidnapping and banditry since the elections.

“This is not a pleasant statistics,” he said.

Kallon also claimed that institutional failure at all levels of governance is responsible for the killing of over 1,400 persons since March 2019, particularly by armed herdsmen, bandits, and kidnappings.

He called on the government to pay attention to issues of insecurity.

“We all know the statistics and the menace of herders/farmers problems. There were more people killed by the herders and farmers crisis than the Boko Haram crisis in Nigeria.

“When I said this in Abuja, it was not being welcomed but that was one statistics we have.  These are all due to weak institutions and governance deficit at the Federal, state and local level,” Kallon said.

Governor Samuel Ortom at the event alleged that those responsible for fashioning out a solution to herdsmen attacks choose to politicise the issue.

According to Governor Ortom,  adopting the position of the National Economic Council which recommended ranching is the best solution to animal husbandry.

Kallon is in Benue state to follow up on earlier commitment by the UN to support the rehabilitation and resettlements programme for victims of herdsmen attacks in the state.

After signing the visitor’s register at the end of the meeting, the UN delegation moves to Gbajimba in Guma local council to take possession of the land donated to them by the state government for the rehabilitation projects to ensure these IDPs are properly reintegrated back to the society.

The post UN decries killing of over 1,400 Nigerians by gunmen within 6 months first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post UN decries killing of over 1,400 Nigerians by gunmen within 6 months appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

The group rejected Governor Ortom’s proposal as they occupy the Benue State Government House in Makurdi, the state capital.

The protesters have been occupying the Government House for the third day running, an action they began since Wednesday.

The governor, who had been out of the state, arrived to meet with the factional group of pensioners at the Government House.

Ortom explained the challenges the state has in meeting its financial obligations, especially with total arrears of over N51 billion pension and gratuity.

The governor also added  that he has directed the payment of April and May 2019 pension arrears, but the pensioners insisted on occupying the Government House gate.

Addressing newsmen,  Chairman of the group, Mr Peter Kyado, demanded that the pensioners be placed on a first-line charge before payment of salaries to civil servants.

He was responding to Governor Ortom’s proposal to source N40 billion bond to clear the pension arrears which stand at N18 billion, in addition to the two months payment.

But,  the state chapter of NUP alleged that the leadership of the Concerned Benue Pensioners was being used by opposition parties to cause crisis.

The state chairman of NUP, Mr Joseph Ikyume, accused the Kyado-led group of mischief, partisanship and creating confusion within the union.

Ikyume maintained that the group had been suspended from the NUP and has lost its case at the National Industrial Court.

The post In Benue Pensioners Group Reject Ortom’s N611m Payment Proposal first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post In Benue Pensioners Group Reject Ortom’s N611m Payment Proposal appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

Governor Ortom, also directed the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to furnish the relevant government agencies with information about the contractors so appropriate action can be taken.

He gave this directive while inspecting projects in the state capital, including St. Theresa’s Primary School, preparatory to the award of additional projects from the N6.6 Billion funds available for the next phase of interventions.

In a related development, the state government is also working on projects to address concerns of residents over the state of Federal roads across its three senatorial districts.

To address the challenge, the state government accessed a N3.5 billion facility to rehabilitate the Wurukum axis of the Makurdi-Gboko Federal Highway down to the Air Force Base.

The Makurdi-Ankpa Road through Naka is not left out with repair works also ongoing, including the canalization of the low-density area to stop flooding.

Ortom also inspected the Pever Agenga Road in Logo II, which is expected to provide relief for a huge student population and the host community to the Benue State University.

The post EDUCATION: Ortom orders prosecution of contractors who allegedly abandoned SUBEB projects first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post EDUCATION: Ortom orders prosecution of contractors who allegedly abandoned SUBEB projects appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

The governor raised the concern during an interactive session with traditional rulers and other stakeholders at an event in Makurdi, the state capital.

https://iso.keq.mybluehost.me/late-oyo-nurtw-boss-fele-finally-laid-to-rest-in-ibadan/

Ortom claimed he received an information that there were plans to attack his convoy on his way to Abuja and kill his security personnel, after which he would be kidnapped and tortured him to the plan to kill him is because he dared to speak out over the invasion of communities and the series of killings in the state.

https://iso.keq.mybluehost.me/inec-lacks-capacity-to-conduct-free-and-fair-general-elections-in-2019-pdp/

The governor also disclosed that as a result of the information, he had to take chartered flights to Abuja in some cases.

He decried that the flights were reportedly stopped from landing at the Makurdi Airport.

Governor Ortom blamed the insecurity in Benue on the inability of the government to arrest and prosecute those behind the attacks since the beginning of the year.

https://iso.keq.mybluehost.me/details-of-vp-osinbajos-meeting-with-governors-security-chiefs-emerge/

He said, “If those that perpetuate violence like armed herdsmen are arrested, prosecuted, jailed, or appropriate sanctions applied on them, it will serve as deterrence for those contemplating violence in the future.”

Governor Ortom who spoke at the event organised by the Makurdi Catholic Diocese on the peaceful conduct of the general elections in 2019, therefore called on Nigerians to use the 2019 elections to demand an end to the herdsmen’s aggravated violence.

The post Benue governor, Ortom raises alarm over alleged threat to his life first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post Benue governor, Ortom raises alarm over alleged threat to his life appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

Terver Akasehief, who is the Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor confirmed this on Wednesday.

https://iso.keq.mybluehost.me/why-osinbajo-fired-dg-dss-lawal-daura/

According to Akase, who condemned the action by the EFCC, said the Governor, Samuel Ortom would speak on the matter today in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

The freezing of the accounts by the anti-graft agency, as learnt was a result of investigations which indicated alleged abuse of Benue State’s security funds.

There were concerns that if the accounts remain frozen, the state government might find it difficult to meet its financial obligations, especially the payment of salaries to workers in the state.

But, the state government tagged the action of the EFCC as part of alleged plots to frustrate its efforts after Governor Ortom left the All Progressives Congress (APC).

https://iso.keq.mybluehost.me/oyo-govt-prosecutes-45-illegal-street-traders/

It would be recalled that Governor Ortom dumped from the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on July 25, after some youths prevented him from attending a reconciliatory meeting convened by the APC national leadership.

Barely one week later, eight members of the APC in the Benue State House of Assembly were reportedly served an impeachment notice on Governor Ortom.

The post EFCC freezes Benue govt accounts first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post EFCC freezes Benue govt accounts appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

The former President made this conclusion on 7 November at the NZHF meeting in Ebonyi state. The Ebonyi meeting was the second NZHF assembly after Benue hosted a similar one in June.

“I see a healthy competition between states which is good, ” the former President said as participating governors recounted progress made towards food security in their respective domains.

The governors said that in less than a year the Zero Hunger initiative was already having a positive impact on the food security of their states.

According to them, the initiative through its peer advisory/review mechanism has brought a new vigor and zeal to the agricultural sector with more commitments by participating states. They also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his strong support to the states’ agricultural programs.

For Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, there is now a realization of untapped agricultural opportunities that the state can explore to benefit its people, thanks to the NZHF.

Describing the Zero Hunger Forum as a great initiative, Governor Ortom said the state keyed into the initiative with the conviction that it would help the state to maintain its pride as the food basket of the country.

“We have keyed into this program and believe that through NZHF, Nigeria will be helped,” he added.

The governor explained that the recently passed anti-grazing bill was aimed at promoting peace between herdsmen and crop farmers with a view to achieving zero hunger by 2030. He further announced that the state would also facilitate peace between the people of Agila in Benue and Ngbo in Ebonyi to end the border crises and bring peace in that area, so farmers can go back to farming.

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state said the benefits of the Nigeria Zero Hunger initiative were priceless as participating states were learning from each other.

“When we went to Benue, we learnt from them and today, Benue and other states are here to also learn from us,” he said.

 The Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, who was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Usman Mamman Durkwa, expressed gratitude to the NZHF for the support given to the state early this year to cushion the effects of insurgency. Particularly mentioned were the “seeds of renaissance” from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), AfricaRice, and ICRISAT, and the rice from Ebonyi to feed the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Borno State.  

The Zero Hunger meeting in Ebonyi was attended by more than 500 persons including policymakers and development partners.

The meeting discussed the progress made by Ebonyi state towards the attainment of zero hunger.

The President of the African Development Bank, Dr Akin Adesina who was represented by the Director (Agriculture), Dr Chiji Ojukwu, commended the implementation of the initiative and reiterated the Bank’s support to feeding Africa. He reminded stakeholders that Africa must take agriculture seriously and implement policies and programs that would engender inclusive growth.

The Director General of IITA, Dr Nteranya Sanginga, pledged the Institute’s commitment to supporting and working with states to achieve their food security goals.

Participants at the meeting included the host, Governor Umahi of Ebonyi State, Governor Ortom of Benue State, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi, Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman of Borno State, and a representative of the Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

Participants from the donor and international community included Dr. Sanginga, Director General of IITA; Dr. Ojukwu, Director (Agriculture) of AfDB; Dr. Abiodun Oladipo, World Food Program; Dr. Abraham Shaibu, AfricaRice; Dr. Tawanda Muzhingi, International Potato Center (CIP); members of Ebonyi State Executive Council, representatives from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, academia, the private sector, farmer groups, traditional rulers, and members of the press.

The post Obasanjo, governors highlight gains of Zero Hunger initiative first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post Obasanjo, governors highlight gains of Zero Hunger initiative appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.