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Tag: Samuel Ortom

  • EFCC Releases Ortom After Hours Of Questioning

    EFCC Releases Ortom After Hours Of Questioning

    Former Governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom has been released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Ortom arrived Makurdi zonal office of the agency around 10:00am on Tuesday, June 20. He was accompanied by his media aide, Terver Akase, and Principal Special Assistant on Special Duties, Abraham Kwanhgu.

    Ortom who handed over a debt profile of N187.7 billion to the administration of Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, was grilled on the financial expenditure of Benue under him as governor.

    After spending the entire day at the Commission, the ex-Governor was seen being driven out of the EFCC office in a Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, at about 7:55 pm, accompanied by some friends and associates who had waited patiently at a nearby hotel for his release.

  • Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, summoned and questioned by EFCC

    Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, summoned and questioned by EFCC

    Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Makurdi. The EFCC had invited Ortom for questioning regarding an ongoing investigation into alleged financial misappropriation during his tenure as governor.

    Ortom arrived at the EFCC’s Makurdi zonal office, located at Alor Gordon Street, at 10 a.m. on Tuesday in response to the invitation. According to a reliable source, the former governor is being questioned regarding the alleged misappropriation of funds during his time in office.

    Despite attempts to reach the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, for comments on the matter, he did not respond to phone calls or text messages from our correspondent.

  • EFCC Invites Ortom For Questioning

    EFCC Invites Ortom For Questioning

    Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has been taken into the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Ortom was invited for questioning by the anti-graft agency for alleged misappropriation of funds, a month after leaving office.

    Channels Television reports that the ex-Benue governor arrived at the Abuja office of the EFCC on Tuesday morning and was sighted walking into the building of the anti-graft agency.

    Benue State is said to have a debt profile of N187.7 billion.

    More details later…

  • I’m Ready To Sacrifice My Senatorial Ambition For Obi’s Victory – Ortom

    I’m Ready To Sacrifice My Senatorial Ambition For Obi’s Victory – Ortom

    The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, says he is ready to sacrifice his senatorial ambition in the National Assembly elections this Saturday, if it will ensure the victory of the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi.

    Ortom, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is contesting the election in the Benue North-West senatorial district.

    His January endorsement of Obi came after months of refusal to support the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, whose emergence in May 2022 was viewed by several high-ranking party members as unfair.

    The Benue governor reiterated his support for the former Anambra State governor while addressing members of the Igbo community in the state on Monday.

    “For me, it’s not even that I’m contesting an election. Yes, the form was bought for me by the people of Benue State. I’ve gone round; they have accepted that they will vote [for] me,” he said.

    “But if I’m to sacrifice my senatorial ambition for Peter Obi to win, so shall it be,” he said to loud cheers from the crowd.

    He added, “I know that if [any group of] people are connected in this world, they are the Igbo. This is the opportunity you have to say that an Igbo man from the South-East is president.”

    Ortom identified with those who believed in the unity of Nigeria and working together, saying it was for this reason that he accommodates everybody.

    “So, let us not miss this opportunity that God himself is providing. The youth have told me, my own people have told me – stakeholders here, traditional rulers, party people across party lines. Obi’s matter is not about APC or PDP or SDP or any other party. It’s about Nigeria.”

    Speaking to the crowd, he told them that they have the population, adding that they should thank God for “what is unfolding”.

    He described Obi as a species that is not bound by ethnicity.

    “That is why when I hear some prominent Igbo personalities castigating Peter Obi for contesting the election – is it not you people that have been saying you have been marginalised since after the war?

    “The opportunity has come today and you’re still complaining. What do you want?! What are you looking for?

    “The whole country – North, South, East, and West – are saying Peter Obi, and you hear some people say, ‘We don’t want it.’ Haba! Those people should be outcasts.”

  • 2023: Wike, Other PDP Govs Meet in Enugu

    2023: Wike, Other PDP Govs Meet in Enugu

    Ahead of the February 2023 presidential elections, five Governors elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Sunday, met in Enugu State.

    The Governors are: Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Okezie Ikeazu of Abia State and the host Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

    According to the insider, the five governors were moved to back Peter Obi’s candidacy because they are not comfortable with the PDP flagbearer, Atiku Abubakar.

    Reports have it that the decision of the governors may not be unconnected to the crisis rocking the main opposition party.

    The crisis, which was birthed by the face-off between Wike and the former vice president, had degenerated despite efforts by party stakeholders to quell the cold war.

    More to follow…

  • BNSG Donates N30 Million to Victims of Fire incident at Katsina-Ala Main Market

    BNSG Donates N30 Million to Victims of Fire incident at Katsina-Ala Main Market

    Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State Government has donated the sum of thirty million naira to victims of the fire incident that gutted the Katsina-Ala Main Market.

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom made this donation when he visited the scene of the incident to sympathize with the traders, and ascertain the level of damage.

    The Governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Engr Benson Abounu expressed dismay over the level of damage, even as he directed the Chairman, Katsina-Ala local government, Mr Alfred Atera to make a new design for the construction of the market.

    Ortom who appreciated God that no life was lost, commiserated with the people of the area where he directed that the money should be shared among the victims.

    Responding, the Chairman Mr Atera commended the Governor for coming to the aide of the people. He appealed to the Governor to assist in establishing a fire service unit.

    Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman, Katsina-Ala Traders Association, Mr Linus Otobo lamented that items worth one billion naira were gutted during the fire incident. He appealed to the Benue State Government and other stakeholders to help in rebuilding the market.

  • BNSG targets N18 billion monthly Internally Generated Revenue

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has said efforts were being stepped up by the present administration to generate the sum of N18 billion monthly Internally Generated Revenue(IGR) this year.

    Ortom said this while fielding questions from Newsmen shortly after inspecting some of the ongoing projects embarked upon by the present administration including the new Benue Internally Revenue Service, BIRS, office complex.

    According to the Governor, the state is currently generating between N700 and N800 million monthly as Internally Generated Revenue, stressing that government has taken deliberate steps to block financial leakages such as termination of contract of revenue collecting agencies whom he said were diverting funds for personal use.

    He maintained that the aim of government is to build a befitting revenue generating complex with the state of the arts facilities that could motivate staff towards more efficient service delivery.

    The Governor expressed satisfaction on the ongoing work at the headquarters of BIRS , assuring that work on the project would soon be completed.

  • BNSG promises to empower youths to showcase their potentials

    BNSG promises to empower youths to showcase their potentials

    By Isaac Kertyo Makurdi   

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has said the present administration in the state would do everything possible to ensure Benue youths are empowered to enable them showcase their potentials for the development of the state.    The Governor who  made this disclosure at the Aper Aku stadium Makurdi, venue of the first Benue Youth Summit is an opportunity for leaders to address genuine requests by the Youths to ameliorate their hardship.   

    ” Our intention is to ensure we empower Benue Youths are empowered to showcase their potentials for a brighter tomorrow”.   

    Ortom who gave an example of himself, how he succeeded in life when he worked as a conductor and driver after he was dropped out of school, urged the youths to be resilience and committed in all they do if they must succeed in life.    Also speaking, the Minister of special duties and Intergovernmental affairs, Sen. George Akume contended that Benue Youths have a role to play for national development.    

    The Minister who was represented by Dr Terlumun Utser urged the youths to consider themselves as agents of positive change. He lauded the Youths for not being violent in quest for good governance, employment, end to Police brutality among others.   

    Earlier the Chairman, steering committee for Benue Youths summit Rev Dave Ogbole said the summit was organized to chat a new course for the Benue Youths.      

    Christened: ” The future is here”, Ogbole lauded the Governor for giving listening ears to Youths.

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  • Grant licences to responsible citizens to carry sophisticated weapons, Ortom tells FG

    Grant licences to responsible citizens to carry sophisticated weapons, Ortom tells FG

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has urged the Federal Government to grant licences to responsible citizens to carry sophisticated weapons such as AK47 to deter criminals from attacking innocent and helpless Nigerians.

    He said the policy should be backed by a strict legal framework to prevent illegal possession of arms by the citizenry without exception.

    These were some of the submissions contained in the paper Governor Ortom presented yesterday during the virtual meeting convened by Centre for Values in Leadership, CVL, in collaboration with Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF.

    In the paper titled ‘Insecurity and Governance Challenges in the New Normal’, the Governor said governments at all levels must come to terms with the fact that insecurity is a real threat to the development of the country and be willing to sincerely tackle the menace.

    He also recommended adequate funding of security agencies and continuous training of their personnel to enable them to be abreast of global dynamics in the fight against insecurity.

    The Governor urged the Federal Government to embrace ranching as it is the global best practice of animal husbandry and to enact a law to end open grazing which often comes with attacks on farming communities by armed herdsmen militia.

    Governor Ortom also advocated improved educational standards and enhanced public enlightenment campaigns to give the people, particularly youths the needed orientation to shun negative acts and become more patriotic.

    He called for the repositioning of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency through training, funding, and logistics to successfully confront drug barons and peddlers; a move he said would stop illegal drugs from entering and circulating in the country.

    Governor Ortom also recommended that the embargo on employment be lifted and more job opportunities created to take Nigerian youths from the streets.

    He tasked the federal, state, and local governments to show greater commitment to developing the agricultural value chain to generate more job opportunities for Nigerians.

    Governor Ortom concluded his presentation by stating that Benue State has made significant contributions to national development and as the food basket of the nation, if the state is threatened by insecurity, the negative impact would be on the entire country.

    He went on to solicit the support of all stakeholders in tackling security challenges and pledged the resolve of his administration to ensure the safety of lives and property.

  • Benue Assembly grants Ortom’s N 2.5bn Loan Request

    Benue Assembly grants Ortom’s N 2.5bn Loan Request

    Benue State House of Assembly has granted Governor Samuel Ortom’s request to access N2.5 loan facility from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to improve Health Care System in the State.

    The approval is Sequel to the correspondent from the Governor who sought the nod of members of the legislative arm in that regard.

    Ortom explained that the funds if approved would enable the Benue State government acquire medical equipment with the view to repositioning hospitals across the state for effective service delivery.

    The governor who noted that the Covid-19 dreaded Pandemic which is currently rocking  the state has overstretched the health sector, hence the need to reinvigorate it, adding that the aforesaid loan facility would impact positively the lives of the populace, particularly in treating post  Corona virus infectious diseases.

    The loan facility is to attract 5 percent interest rate.

    Members of the 9th Assembly unanimously approved the request to enable the Governor access the loan facility after the Speaker, Titus Uba read the later on the floor of the House during plenary. ENDS.