Middle Belt Forum Congratulates Ortom @59
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has congratulated Governor Samuel Ortom on the occasion of his 59tyh birthday even as the Forum declared that the Benue Governor “has been at forefront of providing untainted leadership for the overall good of the majority.”
In a press statement signed by the MBF President, Dr Pogu Bitrus, the forum noted that, “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.”
Commending Ortom for retooling the heels of governance towards providing the dividends of democracy, MBF commended the governor for tackling the incessant bloodshed and at the same time “resolving issues that confront citizens of the state, Governor Ortom has retooled the wheel of governance towards attaining the best for the overwhelming majority.”
According to the statement, “Realising the need to provide dividends of democracy for the citizenry, the Ortom-led administration in Benue state has plunged headlong in combating myriad of problems plaguing the people, especially building a solid platform for the development of state. Under his watch, no fewer than 200 doctors have graduated from the Benue State University. Not only are road construction in the rural areas now a focus, the state government is aggressively involved in developing rural areas in a bid to attract investments and development.
 “More than anything, Governor Ortom has left no stone unturned to ensure the protection of citizens. Not only is he vigorously presently pursuing the dream of returning Internally displaced Persons (IDPs) to their sacked villages, relevant security agencies are collaborating with the Benue State Government to ensure adequate security measures for the returnee IDPs.
“As someone not given to blame game and repudiating the performance profile of his predecessors, the Governor has since his inauguration as the Chief Executive of the state  has completed road projects, including Oshigbudu to Obagaji, and Zaki-Biam-Afia-Gbeji, among others, on record time. Under his administration, no fewer than 34 ongoing rural road construction and electrification projects were carried out.
“The MBF is pleased that Governor Ortom’s performance has not only been commendable, but also geared towards achieving the common good.  as he celebrates his 59th birthday, the Middle Belt Forum is proud to associate with his numerous strides and urge him to do even more for the state. Having achieved so much since he came to power, the MBF believes that he should never let down the gauntlet in providing the dividends of democracy for his people and broadening spheres of growth in all positive ramifications.”
