Twenty five assorted groups last weekend paid solidarity visits on the Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Chief Dr. Samuel Ortom, with pledges to back him to realize his Benue State governorship aspiration in 2015.
Many of the groups donated vehicles, T shirts, umbrellas and other publicity materials.
Others donated offices which they invited him to inaugurate.
The groups comprised elders, youths and women.
They included Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Women in Politics led by Charity Mue,
Lizzy Aganyi Support Group led by Elizabeth Aganyi, Ortom Mothers led by Comfort Akegh, Committed Nongov Daughters under the leadership of Rose Kwazan and North Bank Democratic Frontiers led by Vitalis Kuken.
Messrs James Tsor, Collins Brown, Iorsue Tor and Isaac Ortese led Mt. St. Gabriel set 85 and 94, Grassroots Mobilizers for Ortom and Katsina-Ala Street residents respectively.
Gyado Villa Youths led by Lubem Tsav, Samuel Ortom Youth Satellite, Wurukum with Tarlumun Orkwar as President, E Division Volunteers under the leadership of Gesa Nyam Gesa were among the six offices donated to Chief Dr. Ortom in Makurdi which he inaugurated.
Ortom Vibrant Youths Gboko donated three vehicles the keys of which Vincent Kaha presented to the Minister who is aspiring on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Prominent Benue-born football coach, Mike Idoko, represented by Tom Aondona donated reflective jackets even as Confident Mothers led by Philomena Orpin and Felicia Wende gave a customized Bible.
Nyianshima Ihwa and Terseer Apuu gave the aspirant branded traditional caps and T shirts for their groups, Ortom Wise Men and National Grassroots Mobilizers respectively.
Those who spoke for the various groups stated that from Chief Dr. Ortom’s antecedents they believed that if given the mandate he would propel the state to great heights of development.
Receiving the groups and the items Chief Dr. Ortom expressed appreciation for support saying their investment in the project would not be in vain since they had chosen to sow on fertile soil.
He stated that the support was a confirmation of God’s promise to him in answer to prayers that He would raise human and material support for the project.
Chief Dr. Ortom pledged to adopt the Chinese industrialization model if given the mandate as an initiative to tackle unemployment and create wealth and opportunities for the people.
He promised to empower women and other groups through the award of contracts and the boosting of commercial activities in the state.
While inaugurating the offices he expressed confidence of victory in the race because he possessed all the attributes of an ideal governor for the state in the next political dispensation.
Those attributes he said included requisite experience at all levels of governance, extensive contacts and exposure, the fear of God and contribution to the economic development of the state.