ORTOM LAUDS CHURCH FOR STANDING FOR JUSTICE, FAIRNESS.{PHOTOS}.

      Governor Samuel Ortom has lauded the Catholic Church for always ensuring that justice, equity and fairness prevail in the society.

He spoke today at the One Month Memorial Mass in honour of slain victims of the New Year attacks on Benue farmers which left 73 persons gruesomely murdered by militia herdsmen, organized by the Catholic Dioceses of Makurdi, Otukpo, Gboko and Katsina-Ala.

He expressed appreciation to the church for speaking out on the genocide in the state and other parts of the country.

The Governor promised to stand with Benue people at all times, stressing that the support they had shown him during these trying times was enormous.

In a remark, Archbishop of Jos Diocese and President, Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Dr. Ignatius Kaigama lauded the uncommon solidarity shown by Benue people in their trying times, saying the church remained united in fighting the menace of herdsmen attacks on farmers.

He commended Governor Ortom for his initiative to honour the victims a mass and befitting burial, saying the monuments would never be obliterated as it would be witnessed by generations yet unborn.

Earlier in a sermon, Catholic Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Most Rev. William Avenya while expressing hope that the cemetery would become a prayer pilgrimage, prayed God to grant the souls of the departed martyrs of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law eternal rest.

Bishop Avenya charged Governor Ortom not to be distracted in providing good governance to Benue citizens, saying the church would remain with him in prayers even as the facts of the attacks were being twisted by people in high places.He urged Benue people to remain united more than ever before in fighting the terrorists that had invaded the state, expressing optimism that the operation cat race being expected would restore peace in the state.The Bishop of Makurdi Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Chikpa Anagbe and his Gboko Diocese counterpart as well as Bishop Kaigama, flanked by other priests prayed and sprinkled water on the 73 tombs.More photos below.