Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, on Thursday, said that any Nigerian opposed to the position of the Southern governors regarding the ban on open grazing of cattle has a hidden agenda.
He stated this at Holy Ghost Parish Hall, Makurdi on the occasion of ‘Media Week and Communications Day 2021’, organised by the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi.
Ortom noted that his colleagues from the Southern part of the country had toed the right path towards addressing insecurity in Nigeria, stressing that open grazing was no longer feasible in the country due to development and population growth.
“Nigeria is a great country with great potentials and should, ordinarily, have no business with poverty if only there was guaranteed security for lives and property and the people are allowed to remain stable in their localities to explore opportunities in farming and other ventures.
“I want to appreciate the Church and Muslims in Benue State as well as residents and citizens of the state for remaining supportive of my administration.
“I Equally acknowledged the good reportage of government policies and programmes by the Directorate of Social Communication, Catholic Diocese of Makurdi and all the media groups in Benue, my administration would always welcome constructive criticism”, Ortom said.
According to the Governor, his administration planning to commence teaching of vernacular in schools in the next academic session, saying children must be trained and supported to inculcate reading in them.
He described communication as key in the society.
Earlier, Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Most Reverend Wilfred Anagbe stated that social communication was meant to uplift humanity and the society, stressing that it is a positive aspect of reality of life and not the other way round.
Bishop Anagbe who advocated for teaching of history and vernacular in primary and secondary schools in the State said language defines a man and so should not be allowed to go extinct.
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