Xmas:  Ortom charges Christians to embrace peace 

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has charged Christians to embrace peace, harmony, tolerance and show of love to one another at the Christmas as well as carrying the virtues to the coming year.

Governor Ortom in his Christmas message to the people of the state yesterday assured of crime-free celebrations during the Christmas and New Year saying that he had provided adequate support for security agencies to ensure that all parts of the state.

“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.

The governor said that his administration would ensure that the security challenges confronting the people of the state are overcome to pave way for greater development in all sectors of the economy.

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He also promised to  sustain the payment of salaries as and when due while we source funds to clear the arrears.

Speaking on the 2019 general elections, Ortom enjoined the political parties and their supporters to conduct peaceful and issues based campaign in 2019.

“In 2019, we  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,”  Ortom concluded.