News
Insecurity: Ortom Inaugurates 1,100 BSVG, May Procure AK-47s
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has given the Federal Government one month to approve his request to procure AK-47s and other sophisticated weapons for the State Security Volunteer Guards (BSVG).
Ortom, who gave this ultimatum while speaking during the passing out parade of BSVG, batch two, at IBB square in Makurdi, yesterday.
He threatened that if the Federal Government fails to approve his request, he will consult the Benue people and proceed to do their wish.
The governor said, “I have on behalf of the Benue State Government applied to the responsible Federal Government agency for approval to procure automatic weapons, particularly AK-47 assault rifles to further strengthen your logistic support base and your defence capability.
“I am still awaiting approval from the Federal Government to deal accordingly with my request and if they fail, I will come home and seek advice from my people and I will do whatever they say,” Ortom said.
He, however, noted that the state government has already procured some essential equipment as permitted by the law, including motor vehicles and motorcycles, and handed them over to the police for use by the volunteer guards for effective crime fighting.
The governor, who had inaugurated 500 in the first batch, further inspected the passing out of 1,100 members with a vow to train 10,000 guards before the expiration of his 10th in 2023.
He reiterated that it was the commitment to ensuring the security of lives and property, as well as peaceful co-existence for all the people living in the confines of Benue State that, the Benue State Government alongside Benue communities decided on the establishment of Community Volunteer Guards with the law enacted by the Benue State House of Assembly in July, 2000 and amended in October, 2021.
He lamented that the number of conventional security men in the state was grossly inadequate to contend with the heightened aggression in the state saying his intention was to provide support for them.
He urged the police, army, civil defence and others to rise up to their paths to defend the lives and property in the nation.
Also speaking at the event, the Tor Tiv, Ochivirigh James Ayatse, who lauded the initiative said Benue was not at war with any group but the need to replace exterior aggression has made the security outfit a necessity.
The Tornado Tiv, who was represented by the Tornado Kwande, Chief Ambrose Iortyer, pledged that the traditional council would continue to offer maximum support to enable them to succeed.
The Och’Idoma, Agabaidu John Elaigwu, described the coming of BSVG “as an act of God hatched by Samuel Ortom”, and expressed the belief that with the guards, the security issues in Benue will be reduced to the barest minimum.
Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly and gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Titus Uba, said the state assembly has endorsed the establishment of state police as it would help safeguard lives and property across the nation.
He urged people to provide information to the guards to enable them to fight insecurity in the state.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
-
Politics12 hours agoAnambra Guber: ADC Candidate Urges INEC To Tackle Vote Buying
-
Business11 hours agoBlue Economy: Minister Seeks Lifeline In Blue Bond Amid Budget Squeeze
-
Maritime12 hours agoCustoms Wives Donate Mosquito Nets, Bedsheets To Hospitals In Ogun
-
Sports12 hours agoWCQ: S’Eagles Coach Set To invite Akinsamiro
-
News11 hours agoFG holds special thanksgiving service ahead of 65th Independence Day
-
Sports12 hours agoFalconets thrashes 4-0 Rwanda in qualifiers
-
Education12 hours agoFRSC to Establish Driving Training Centre at UniPort
-
Oil & Energy12 hours agoAfam 2 Power Plant Adds 160MW To National Grid, says Sahara Group