My dear people of Benue State, on behalf of my family and the Government, I join you in celebrating the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. The yearly commemoration of the birth of our Lord Jesus presents us with the opportunity to re-assess our ways and correct the wrongs we might have done to God and fellow human beings.
According to the teachings of Jesus our Lord, let us embrace peace, harmony, tolerance and show love to one another at this Christmas and carry the same virtues into the coming year.
As a government, we have provided adequate support to security agencies to ensure that all parts of the state remain crime-free during the Christmas and New Year season.
I therefore urge you to go about your normal activities without the fear of molestation.
A few days ago, we presented the 2019 Budget to the State House of Assembly which is christened 'Budget of Peace, Security and Prosperity in Benue’. Our plan as contained in the 2019 Appropriation Bill is to ensure that the security challenges confronting our people are overcome to pave way for greater development in all sectors of the economy.
We will not relent in the efforts we are making through the construction of rural roads, health and school facilities, electrification, water supply and other critical infrastructure in various communities of the state.
We will also sustain the payment of salaries as and when due while we source funds to clear the arrears.
In 2019, our country will conduct elections to choose leaders at various levels of government. The choices we make during the elections will determine how we fare as a country and state in the following years. It is therefore important that we make the right decisions at the polls.
I urge political parties and their supporters to conduct peaceful and issue-based campaigns to avoid acrimonious engagements which will heat up the polity. Let's remember that we must have a state and its people for us to be called leaders. We must therefore promote decorum and harmony in our campaign speeches and activities, knowing fully well that power belongs to God and He gives it to whomever He wills.
May this year’s celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ strengthen our faith in the affairs of the state and country.
Merry Christmas.
In God we trust
Samuel Ortom
Governor, Benue State
December 24, 2018.
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