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By Dr Paul Angya
On behalf of my wife Prof. Charity, family and political associates, I wish to congratulate the good people of Benue State for achieving the milestone of 46 years since its creation in February 1976.
Benue has been sorely challenged every step of its creation and existence, especially in the last few years of the APC led Federal Government but we’ve continued to soldier on – make steady progress.
I want to seize this occasion to salute the courage, strength, resilience and tenacity of the Benue people who have been besieged, attacked and slaughtered by Fulani Herdsmen in the last eight years or so.
What with large swaths of farmlands from Logo, Guma, Makurdi, Gwer west, Agathu, Ado, Kwande etc under Fulani occupation and hundreds of thousands of our people (survivors) of these atrocities in IDP camps, thus crippling our agricultural production capacity by more than 50%, like everything else that has been negatively impacted by this insecurity, yet Benue under the leadership of his Excellency Dr, Samuel Ortom has been able to survive and even record appreciable progress.
I salute especially our lion heart, the NYAMKYUME I TIV, the DEFENDER OF THE BENUE VALLEY AND VOICE OF THE DOWNTRODEN in Nigeria for standing up to the national bullies and showing leadership by example.
We commend the efforts of our past and revered civilian leaders: Aper Aku, Fr. Moses Adasu, George Akume and Dr. Gabriel Suswam for laying a solid foundation and contribution to where we are today.
With current leaders like Dr. Iorchia Ayu, Senator David Mark, Dr. Samuel Ortom, and Senator Dr. Gabriel Suswam, Benue will surely rise to be the shining star amongst states of Nigeria that it was destined to be.
As a passionate, committed and capacitated Benue son, I pledge to take off from where his excellency Dr. Samuel Ortom will stop in 2023, to continue with the policy of defending our people and our land, as well as tackling the social economic and security challenges that continue to beseech us, should it please the good Lord to handover the mantle of leadership of the state to me.
The Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law enacted by Dr. Samuel Ortom administration to check the herders menace must be sustained.
I wish His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom, his amiable wife, Her Excellency, Dr Eunice Ortom and the entire good people of Benue State a successful and introspective celebration.
It is my prayer that going forward, the mercies of God, His Grace and compassion will come down and cast a shield around and upon our state and all its people, now and forever IJMN, Amen.
Long Live the Governor of Benue State
Long Live the people of Benue State
Long live Benue State
Dr. Paul Angya KSM, FSI.
