<<< By Jimin Geoffrey >>>
29th April, 2018
Governor Samuel Ortom has stated that Benue has won the hearts of Nigerians in support of open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment for livestock.
He stated this today at NKST Church, Jato-Aka during the wedding between Miss Joy Iember Agber and Mr. Gbande Gabriel Amande, son of member representing Kwande East Constituency in the Benue State Assembly, Honourable James Gbande.
The Governor noted that only evil doers were sabotaging the feat recorded in the campaign for ranching as championed by his administration, stressing however that with persistent prayers, Nigerians have come to terms with his position.
He said Benue people would still resist what their forefathers rejected over two centuries ago, adding that with the renewed commitment shown by the Federal Government, perpetrators of the Benue massacre and their sponsors would be apprehended and brought to justice.
Governor Ortom stated that the blood of the slain priests and other clergymen as well as worshippers and other Benue people had cried to God, expressing the belief that crisis between farmers and herders would soon become a thing of the past.
He solicited sustained prayers from people of the state for God’s intervention in the challenges confronting the state, even as he appreciated the NKST church and the entire Benue people for their support to his administration.
In a speech, NKST President and Pastor in charge of the church in Jato-Aka, Reverend Dominic Anza urged the couple to always strengthen each other in spirit, bear children and bring them up in the fear of God.
Reverend Anza condoled Governor Ortom and the Catholic community in the state over the massacre of two priests and other worshippers in a recent attack on a church in Mbalom by militia herdsmen, stressing that the NKST was strongly behind him on the ranching law.
Preaching on the theme: “communication in marriage,” Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Benue state chapter, Reverend Akpen Leva, who read from the book of Proverbs, charged the couple to employ soothing words in their communication, stressing that polite answers to harsh situations breed peace in a marital relationship.