<<< By Terver Akase >>>
Governor Samuel Ortom today refuted reports making the rounds on social media that he was involved in fraud as supervising Aviation Minister.
He made the denial at a thanksgiving service held for Professor Dennis Ityavyar, Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, at the NKST Church, Mbaakon in Vandeikya local government area.
Governor Ortom stated that he had never been involved in fraud at any point in his public service career and never came across the large amounts mentioned in the reports either in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment where he was Minister of State or that of Aviation.
He said the allegations were sponsored by some of those indicted by the Kpojime Commission adding that none of them has any proof since he did not commit any of the things mentioned.
The Governor vowed to recover looted funds and use it to pay salary arrears, gratuities and pensions and channel some of it into development projects.
He described Professor Ityavyar who he said served as the chairman of the Strategy Committee that drafted the policy document of his administration, “Our Collective Vision for a New Benue” as a selfeless, diligent, and dedicated man.
“He is a special gift to me as a person and our administration in which he has been delivering on challenging assignments,” Governor Ortom stated.
According to the Governor, having concluded work on the white paper for the Benue State University Visitation Panel, he would select other members to team up with Professor Ityavyar to draft the white paper on the Kpojime Commission.
In his remarks Professor Ityavyar expressed appreciation to Governor Ortom for giving him the opportunity to serve the people of the state as a member of the executive council adding that he was also happy that the Governor as a God fearing man who eschewed corruption would not ask him to do any wrong thing.
Reverend Dr. Terpase Mkena preached the sermon on counting one’s blessings as reason for thanksgiving to God while Brother Gbile Akanni gave the exhortation.