Solicits people’s prayers to avert impending catastrophe
From: Rose Ejembi, Makurdi
Governor Samuel Ortomof Benue State has raisedthe alarm over a planned invasion of the state by suspected herdsmen even as he urged Benue people to intensify prayers to avert the impending invasion.
The Governor, who spoke at the funeral service for the late Mama Atese Rebecca Terkpe at the NKST Church, Taraku in Gwer Local Government Area ofthe state, disclosed that from the security reports available to him, the herders have concluded plans to invade the state in order to subvert the implementation of the anti-open grazing law.
He explained further that according to security reports, Fulani herdsmen across the West African sub region were planning to invade the state even as he called on the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria to organize prayers and fasting for divine intervention.
Governor Ortom, who restated his stance that the anti-open grazing law remained the best solution for restoring peace between farmers and herders, enjoined the people of the state to support its implementation which he said was imperative.
While also appealing to the people to shun communal violence over land but rather resort to dialogue in the resolution of disputes, the Governor posited that lives and property lost during crisis could not be replaced.
He described the deceased as a God fearing woman who raised her offspring in the fear of God and also impacted positively on her society.
In his sermon, Rev. J. I. Buruku, enjoined Christians to embrace the light so as to escape the works of darkness.
Son-in-law of the deceased, Mr Stephen Amase, in his vote of thanks expressed appreciation to those who made spiritual and material contributions towards the funeral as well as those who took time to personally pay last respects.