Obasanjo backs Ortom for second term

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday endorsed Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue state, for a second term in office.

Speaking after commissioning the Schools of Nursing and Midwifery in Makurdi, Obasanjo said he was impressed with the governor’s feats in the state.

He commended Ortom on the renovation of the school “which lost official recognition for the past three years but with regained accreditation with the help of the governor”.

He said that all the facilities that were lacking have been provided by Ortom and that such “was not a mean feat”.

The elder statesman said that with what he had seen so far, Ortom was doing well and “needed to be given more time to consolidate on his achievements”.

He also urged people in privileged positions to indulge in things that could usher development.

He stressed the need for them to work for the unity of the country and “stop finding faults on everything but strive to correct imperfections anytime they notice them”.

He also advised Nigerians against singing songs of discord and disunity, urging them to work for the unity of the country.

Obasanjo further commended Ortom for signing the anti-open grazing bill into law.

He said such bill will bring an end to reported destruction of crops by cartels in the process of grazing.

George Akume, former governor of the state, thanked Obasanjo “for always keeping people in leadership positions on their toes through constructive criticisms”.

Ortom, on his part, said that he lacked words to express his “inestimable appreciation to Obasanjo for coming to Benue to commission the project and see things for himself”.

The governor urged the people of the state to venture into “massive” agricultural activities “in order to improve on their income”.