Governorship aspirant in Benue State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Dr Samuel Ortom, has pledged to tackle the massive youth unemployment in the state through the enhancement of a private sector driven economy if given the mandate.
He made the pledge at a consultative meeting with PDP stakeholders from the nine local government areas of the Benue South Senatorial District in Otukpo/
He stated that he would bring his experience as an industrialist, politician, and public servant to bear on a government that would create a conducive environment for the private sector to thrive.
Chief Dr Ortom who is Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment and Supervising Aviation Minister assured that industrialization and commercial activities were the solution to unemployment.
The Minister said he would also fashion out strategies for tackling the security and other challenges in the state and rule with the fear of God.
He stressed that the fear of God would translate into truthfulness, fairness, justice, transparency, forgiveness and reconciliation adding that this will bring the needed peace which shall usher in unity, development and progress.
The Och’ Idoma had advised Chief Dr Ortom to consult peacefully without rancor with other aspirants.
The Minister and his entourage of over one hundred party stalwarts from zones A and B had paid a courtesy call on the paramount ruler.
In separate responses Chief Mike Iduma, Dr John Enyi, Achegbani Fodio, Mrs Joy Agi, Moses Enenche, Baba Odangla and Godwin Owoicho who spoke for the federal constituencies in the Senatorial District, women, elders and youths said Chief Ortom had excelled in all the positions he has held and appealed to the people of the state to give him the mandate.
They also commended him for establishing a conglomerate which has offered employment to thousands adding that he has also passed through the crucible and acquired capability having garnered experience from service at the local, state and federal levels in addition to being a God fearing man.
- Welcome banner
- Dignitaries including Otse Otokpa, former Ado Chairman, George Alli, former Benue Assembly member, Matthew Ochigbo, former PDP Apa Chairman line up to receive Chief Dr. Samuel Ortom and his entourage
- PDP stalwarts including Nicholas Ochojila, former Ohimini PDP Chairman, Ochigbo, Joseph Ogezi, former PDP Ado Chairman, Onah, former Commissioner and Odaudu welcome him
- Hon. Otokpa, receives Chief Dr. Ortom while others watch
- Victor Oche, Sunday Orinya, Joe Odaudu and others with chief Dr. Ortom
- Hon. Tsetse, oche, Hon George Ali, Chief Dr. Ortom & wife Eunice with others
- Hon. Clement Adzuanongo, Chief Atsaga Anemba, Odaudu & others receive Chief Dr. Ortom
- Och’Idoma’s Palace in Otukpo
- Chief Mike Iduma, former PDP State Chairman, in company of Adi, Guma Chairman & Adejo, Minister’s SA welcome Chief Dr. Ortom to Och’Idoma’s Palace
- Cross section of his entourage including Dr. David Orjime, Adzuanongo,Mrs. Onyeibi Audu, Adzer Abya, Agada Igomu, 1st PDP State Chairman, Azabiam & others
- Chief Dr. Ortom pays homage to Och’Idoma, HRM Elias Obekpa
- Prof. John Ibu, NAFDAC Chairman takes his turn
- Hon. Jacob Ogwuche, former Okpokwu Chairman & Commissioner welcomes Chief Dr. Ortom
- Hon. Clement Agada, former Ogbadibo Chairman also welcomesDr. Chief. Ortom
- Hon. Danjuma Sule, former Agatu Chairman, and PDP State EXCO member greets Ortom
- Hon. Igbiri Idaah, Youth & Sports Commissioner exchanges pleasantries with Chief Dr. Ortom
- Hon. Austine Awodi, former Assembly Member takes his turn
- Chief Dr. Ortom introduces Citizen Samson Ocholi, BNHA member to Hon. Abancha
- Prominent women & others on the entourage
- Cross section of the Minister’s entourage including Gaadi, Aloysius Wuam, former PDP State Chairman, Sam Aga, Mrs. Audu, former PDP Women Leader & others
- Godffrey Choghol, former Gwer-West Chairman, Col. Ayoo (rtd), CSO Uniagric and Mr. Agerzua, Media Adviser
- Cross section of PDP stalwarts from Zone C
- Hons. Tsetse & Awanger with Verakys & Elder Vanger Iyorhon
- Joseph Odaudu, Deputy DG Zone C
- Mrs. Jane Ede, Hon. Aloysius Wuam & Mrs. Onyeibe Audu Ode with others
- Chief Dr. Samuel Ortom and wife, Mrs. Eunice Ortom
- L-R: Chiefs Ikyongo, Adzuanongo, Shango, Azabiam, Igomu, Agagbe, Dr. Ortom, his wife, Eunice, Anemba, Abya & Lukera
- Partial view of some of the stakeholders including former Benue Assembly Deputy Speaker, William Edo (1st left)
- Hon. Orbunde, Chief Dr. & Mrs. Ortom with Hon. Abancha & others
- Chief Mike Iduma, former PDP State Chairman
- Dr. John Enyi, University Don & former Oju Chairman
- Hon. Moses Enenche, former old Otukpo Chairman
- Chief Mrs. Joy Agi, BSU Governing Council Member & former Prisons Comptroller
- NTA Board Chairman, Patrick Ogbu (Right)
- Chief Baba Odangla, former State Chairman, Social Democratic Party
- Godwin Owoicho, Youth Coordinator
- NTA Board Chairman, Patrick Ogbu and others with Chief Dr. Ortom
BETWEEN SAMUEL AND ORTOM: TO BE or TO BECOME?
There has been arguments by people considering the subject of name. While some think there is something in a name majority are of the view that there is nothing in a name. But the curious question is, if there is nothing in a name then why is there the naming of things at all? A name is an identity, an identiy that carries with it an image, a personality, a history and to an extent a religious linning. No wonder God himself named and gave man the authority to name.
Today, we have religioud names, traditional names, western names and individually coined names. In all these categories, there are meanings that are attached to these names which have futuristic foretelling. I will give just an example; Barack Obama Hussein. Barack is an african name meaning “blessed”. Obama is an ancient kenyan surname. It is derived from the root word Ubam which means to “lean” or “bend” and Hussein means “good” or “handsome”. These names were given to this little boy and he has grown to become a blessing to his parents, to the united states and to the world, just like his name Barack (blessed).
In Benue state today, one name has become re-occurent to the minds of millions of people. It has become a househood name and a model to young men and women. The name is popular not for the wrong it has done but for the impact it has created, the lives it has lifted, the hope it has given and the ambition and destiny it is prepared to give. That name SAMUEL whose biblical synonym is Prophet and who in rabbinical literature was the last of the Hebrew judges and the first of the major prophets who began to prophesy in Israel. ORTOM, that name that cannot be separated from a typical Tiv man who wants to excel. Literarily ORTOM is WORKER. Somebody with a strength and a zeal to survive amidst all challenges, a bridge buildre and an obstacle breaker.
Benue is now faced with two powerful names from one body. Samuel Ortom the PROPHET- WORKER to be the governor of the state by people who have seen his exceptional and uncontestable qualities. And those who wish him to Become the governor of Benue because he is just the man, the prophet that has been sent to liberate Benue with his hardwork, dedication and commitment. That is why it is BETWEEN SAMUEL AND ORTOM: TO BE or TO BECOME?
(07038068548)