By Okechukwu Onuegbu
The Coalition of Southern and Middle Belt Youth Leaders Assembly, COSMBYLA, the umbrella body of all the youth groups in the South East, South South, South West and middle Belt regions have attacked Tiv Youth Council over comments on Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, describing it as baseless from faceless group.
Tiv Youth Council (TYC) has alleged that Governor Ortom had nothing to show throughout eight years in office, challenging him to declare his achievements (if any) as the council would sponsor free live telecasts of them in about two national television stations.
COSMBYLA disclosed this in a statement by its leader and President General, Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), Hon. Goodluck Ibem; Hon. Terrence Kuanum, the Coordinator,
Forum of Middle Belt Youth Presidents; Mr Shittu Waheed, the Coordinator,
South West Youth Leaders Forum (SWYLF); and Mr Tito Zokumor, President
South South Youth Forum (SSYF).
They said, "Governor Samuel Ortom is a humble man who does not believe in bringing all his tremendous achievements to the media because he believes that public office is an opportunity to render selfless service to humanity. These statement by this faceless group is to insult and embarrass themselves and not the dynamic governor of Benue state.
"In Nigeria today, Governor Ortom is a role model given the fact that, he is the only governor in office that speaks truth to power. It is only a man that is sincere to himself and to the people that will be in a position of authority where he is comfortable and has all he wants and still speaks truth to power.
"Dr. Samuel Ortom has reclaimed Benue state from the hands of certain elements who terrorised the state thereby returning calm and peace to the state which was almost losing its pride of place giving security challenges. This has led to the return of investors and further growth of the state's GDP, opening a whole lot of economic Vista for SME's , informal sectors and jobs creation.
"Benue indigenes have witnessed with their very eyes the developmental projects and security exploits of Dr. Samuel Ortom. His good intentions for the betterment of Benue state are not in doubt. The governor has ensured that restive youths who would have resorted to crime are empowered; young women/men are trained on various vocational skills. These persons after training are given start-up capitals and equipment related to their area of specialization to start their businesses and vocational callings."