SGF AKUME SWINGS INTO ACTION TO IMPLEMENT PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE FOR PEACE COMMITTEE
By Terrence Kuanum
As a follow-up to the Presidential Directive for the Constitution of a Peace Committee to tackle insecurity in Benue State, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume has swung into action.
The SGF undertook consultation visits to the two Paramount traditional rulers in the state today, the Tor Tiv, HRM Prof. James Ortese Ayatse, and the Och’Idoma HRM Dr. John Elaigwu Odogbo, at their respective places in Makurdi and Otukpo.
The visits enabled SGF Akume to fine-tune modalities for the speedy implementation of the directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which he gave during his Condolence and Solidarity visit to the state last Wednesday following the terrorist attack on Yelewata that resulted in over 200 deaths.
The SGF announced to both paramount rulers their inclusion on the committee as directed by the president, harping on the need to fasttrack the process of consensus building towards an all inclusive committee which will serve the desired purpose as envisaged by Mr. President to eradicate insecurity and restore peace to the state.
According to him, it is of grave concern to the President Tinubu that without peace, Benue is losing all of its comparative advantages majorly being its status as the agricultural hub and pivot of the food security drive of Nigeria.
He expressed gratitude to the royal fathers for leading their subjects to welcome the president on the Condolence and Solidarity Visit, and appealed to them to ensure that the traditional institution under their leadership is alive to its responsibility as custodians of the community level security base of our society, for Benue to be restored to her fast eroding glory.
Both the Tor Tiv and the Och’Idoma expressed their profound appreciations for the hand of assistance extended to the state by President Tinubu through his Condolence and Solidarity Visit, and welcome the initiative of the Peace Committee, which they pledged their total commitment to.
On the entourage of the SGF to the visits were Benue APC State Chairman, Hon. Austin Agbada, Senator Dr. Jack Tilley-Gyado, Chief Akange Audu, Pharm. Patrick Ahenjir, Rt. Hon. Mrs. Becky Orpin, Pst. Terwase Orbunde, Prof. John Enyi, AVM (Rtd.) Morgan, Hon. Philip Agbese and Chief Mike Msuaan.
Others were, Major-General Harrison Adoga, Comrd. Abba Yaro, Dr. Philip Eche, Prince Simon Aóndona, Dr. Kaalu Akerkper, Hon. Tony Sende, Barr. Maureen Teryila Agbo and Hon. Benji Penda.
