Benue state Governor Samuel Ortom, Thursday, said any Nigerian opposed to the position of the southern governors regarding the ban on open grazing has a hidden agenda.
Governor Ortom said this at Holy Ghost Parish Hall, Makurdi, during an address on the occasion of ‘Media Week and Communications Day 2021’, organised by the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi.
He noted that his colleagues from the southern part of the country have decided to tow the right path towards addressing insecurity in Nigeria by insisting animals should be ranched.
He stated that open grazing was no longer feasible in the country due to development and population growth.
He said but for the insecurity in the country, Nigeria would have been better.
“Nigeria is a great country with great potentials and should, ordinarily, have no business with poverty only if security for lives and property are guaranteed
and the people are allowed to remain stable in their localities to explore opportunities in farming and other ventures,” he said.
The governor also expressed appreciation to the church and Muslims in Benue state as well as residents and citizens of the state for remaining supportive of his administration.
He acknowledged the good reportage of government policies and programmes by the Directorate of Social Communication, Catholic Diocese of Makurdi and all the media groups in Benue, adding that his administration would always welcome constructive criticism.
Ortom who hinted of his administration’s plans to commence teaching of vernacular in schools in the next academic session, said children must be trained and supported to inculcate reading in them, even as he described communication as key in the society.
Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Most Reverend Wilfred Anagbe, stated that social communication was meant to uplift humanity and the society, adding that it is a positive aspect of reality of life and not the other way round.
Bishop Anagbe advocated for teaching of history and vernacular in primary and secondary schools in the state saying that language defines a man and so should not be allowed to go extinct.