Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom has commended the Executive chairman, Ado Local Government Council, Hon. James Oche for his effective security initiative and charged the other 22 chairmen in the state to emulate him.
Governor Ortom who gave this charge Saturday in Otukpo Local Government at the burial of late Mr Samuel Omleche Abounu, younger brother to the state Deputy Governor, Engr Benson Abounu said, security is the responsibility of everybody in the state, assuring that there will be no hiding place for criminals in Benue any longer.
He stressed the need for all hands to be on deck to strengthen the economy in the state and Nigeria at large, noting that revenue had dwindled drastically as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ortom advised people of the state to prepare their lives while on earth so that they will know where to spend their eternity when death comes inevitably.
In a funeral oration, the Governor described the deceased as a humble man with admirable personality who related well with all, stressing that his death was painful and a great loss to the immediate family and Benue State at large.
He said it was heartbreaking that Samuel Abounu died at a time his elder brother, Engr. Benson Abounu was highly engaged in handling state affairs and needed him to be at the home front for the family.
While praying God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest, the Governor urged his Deputy to always count on his support and be consoled that his younger brother lived a life worthy of emulation.
Governor Ortom urged people of the state to continue to observe protocols on the prevention of COVID-19 as increase in the number of confirmed cases in the state was worrisome and needed serious caution. He added that 40 new cases had been confirmed in the state by Ngeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC.
In his tribute, the Chairman, Ado Local Government Council, Hon. James Oche who spoke separately with newsmen said,” the entire Benue zone C will miss Samuel Abounu as a father and promised that they will do something centrally to immortalise the deceased. He consoled the bereaved family to submit to the will of God because He gives and takes life.
Fielding questions from journalists as why the Governor earlier urged other council chairmen to take a cue from him, Oche thanked God for giving him the opportunity to serve his people.
He disclosed that prior to his assumption of office as chairman, Ado was “a no go area” to the extent that kidnappers could go to people’s houses to abduct them. So, upon assumption of office as the Executive chairman who served as Caretaker Committee Chairman before and having had his administrative plans in mind already, he quickly launched “Ado Whistle Blowers Policy”.
“What you see today is the success of that policy”, Oche told newsmen.
