An award is a prize or other mark of recognition given to someone in honour of an achievement. Philip Agbese knows this definition too well. That is why his now moribund magazine, The Nigeria, found the Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom worthy of an award as the “Best Governor in Security.”
Governor Ortom was voted as “The Vanguard of security” by the readers, fans and the editorial team of the Nigerian, a news platform, based in London.
Benue State has been faced with security challenges mainly from attacks on farmers by Fulani herdsmen. And in the Governor’s wisdom, understanding and wide consultations, he brought the option of ranching through the enactment of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017. This was first resisted but today is being accepted across the country.
As part of checking other security-related issues, Governor Ortom carried out an amnesty programme where many weapons were recovered and destroyed in the full glare of the public and United Nations representatives. Of course, these are genuine ways to check the security issues in a state and country. The proliferation of arms in the country has got to the stage that every serious governor like Ortom has to provide solutions and these were the bases for The Nigeria to award the Benue State Governor as it described his efforts as tireless in securing the state.
The Vanguard newspaper of August 20217, reported that Governor Ortom was presented with the award at the first anniversary/symposium/ award night of the Nigerian on Friday, August 25th,2017 in London, United Kingdom in the event which was tagged: “A Greater Nigeria is possible.”
The online platform stated why it gave Governor Ortom the award. In their words, “The Nigerian in its commitment to give back to the society has singled out your eminent personality for the award of the ‘THE VANGUARD OF SECURITY’ in recognition of your immense contribution to good governance, built on accountability and transparency, nationalistic approach to development, administrative acumen and grassroots-oriented leadership and usefulness of purpose to the defence of humanity, the poor and less privileged in the society,” It stated.
There is no denying the fact that Governor Ortom deserved the award from The Nigeria, and the many other awards that he has received for standing for justice and equity.
The governor has received ‘The Sun Courage in Leadership Award 2019’ for his stand on the ban on open grazing and many Nigerians have applauded him for providing the viable solution to the perennial attacks on farmers by Fulani herdsmen.
In this wise, Agbese’s medium, ‘The Nigerian was right with the award as the best governor on security. Indeed, Governor Ortom has provided the solution to the Fulani herdsmen attacks on farmers and deserves to be commended as a pacesetter.
Benjamin Ngutsav writes from Agbeede, Konshisha LGA.
He can be reached via: ngutsav@gmail.com
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