Ortom was attacked yesterday by gunmen suspected to be bandits at Tyo Mu along Makurdi-Gboko Road while on his way to Markurdi, the Benue State capital.

The NGF through a statement signed by its Chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, condemned the attack and empathised with Governor Ortom and the people of Benue.

The statement read, “The news of the broad daylight attempt to cut short the life of the Governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom, is shocking and a rude awakening. The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) empathizes with the governor and the people of Benue State on this sad, cowardly, and wicked plan and vehemently condemns the act in its entirety. All hands must be on deck to uncover the identities of those involved in this heinous crime. The NGF wishes to state categorically that the attempt to make Benue State ungovernable is unacceptable and will fail woefully. Only recently the brother of one of the former governors of the state was mowed down in cold blood. This dishonourable and shameful act of resorting to violence, for whatever reason, to eliminate citizens of Benue State by brutal means must not continue. The NGF as a platform for all the 36 Governors will continue to encourage its members to stand firm in the service of their people regardless of the evil machinations of those who do not wish Nigeria well. Evil will not be allowed to triumph over good, not in Benue and not anywhere in this country. While all governors will continue to pray for Governor Ortom, the NGF wishes to draw the attention of all evildoers that not only will they continue to fail in their wicked acts, but they will also definitely be traced and punished for their crimes, no matter how long it takes. Once again, the NGF prays for Governor Ortom and wishes him long life as his safety and that of all the people of Benue State continue to be paramount to the NGF.”

The chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) who said this during a solidarity visit to Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina state over the abduction students of Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina, averred that there is need to address the issues of banditry, kidnapping and criminality, including its causes.

He said “For us, the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), we believe that we not only have to be on top of banditry, kidnapping and criminality generally, but we also have to be on top of the causes of these problems.  Social inequality and poverty are key issues and we need to ensure that our governments, our states pry away our young people from the merchants of death who are using them as cannon fodder for this criminal brigandage. We can only do that through providing them with alternative means of livelihood and support system that will not entice them to these elements that are endangering the whole of our country… We are all tired, we are all frustrated that these issues are happening. And this is something that we are committed to as governors, in working with Mr President, so that we don’t keep on talking about something over and over again.  But we know that with concerted efforts on our part as governors and the commitment of the Federal Government, the professional conduct of our security services and our social investment programme intensified, we shall see the end of these criminalities, brigandage in our states”

This was contained in a statement  quoted him as saying this during his visit to Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State to condole with the government and people of Borno over the killing of 43 Zambari farmers’ by the Boko Haram terrorists

The statement was titled, ‘Governors Forum: Security challenges are beyond military’.

The Governor was accompanied by the Governor of Sokoto and the Vice Chairman of the Forum, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, and that of Niger State, Abubakar Bello.

Fayemi said soldiers are overwhelmed and needed support to tackle the security situation affecting many parts of the country – insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery.

“But what happened in the last three days is by far beyond any imagination, it was a massacre and it was one that none of us could come to terms easily.

“The reality we can all say, and I personally as security scholar, the reality I can see is that our military is overwhelmed. Our military is no longer in a position to single-handedly tackle this menace effectively.

“It is not a criticism of our military, if one were to suggest a coalition beyond that will even include our neighbouring countries, who are probably more experienced in fighting an asymmetrical war. It will not be a loss of our pride as a country.

“This is not a visit to gratify ourselves, no, it is an expression of also our own frustration.

“We can’t bring back the people we have lost in the last couple of days, but if we do not take the necessary steps the entire nation will be consumed by this insurgency,” Fayemi said.

The approval is part of measures aimed at containing the security situation in the country.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday titled “FG approves N13bn for take-off of community policing in Nigeria.”

Akande said, based on the approval, the National Economic Council at its virtual meeting on Thursday and chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, resolved that the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Kayode Fayemi; with two other governors, meet with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; and the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to coordinate the proper utilisation of the funding of the initiative.

The statement read, “The National Economic Council Ad-hoc Committee on Security and Policing had made a presentation on its assignment to the council, noting that engagement with key stakeholders on the operationalisation of community policing in the country was ongoing.

“The presentation was made by Governor Kayode Fayemi, who is also the Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum.

“Other reports received by council at today’s meeting included reports on the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country; flood disaster risk management in Nigeria for 2020, and the issue of compensation payments regarding federal highway projects across the country.

“Responding to two presentations on the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: one by NEC’s Adhoc committee interfacing with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, and the other by Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, the state governors commended the efforts and commitment of the Federal Government in containing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and supporting states’ response capacity through various interventions.

“The NCDC report indicates that the positivity rate has fallen from 19.7% in June to 13.7% in August 2020, while number of states with testing laboratories increased from two to 32, including the FCT.”

Other highlights of the meeting, according to the statements are that Ahmed reported to the council that the as of August 18, 2020 the balance on Excess Crude Account was $72,408,119.44; Stabilisation Fund Account was N44, 207, 377,110.34; and the Natural Resources Development Fund Account was N144, 047, 195, 020.54.

The source said the infected aides include some of the cabinet members, domestic staff and security aides to the Governor.

One of the governor’s aides who spoke on the condition of anonymity confirmed this report to the Nation.

He disclosed that those aides who have tested positive were already in isolation while others are awaiting the results of their samples.

This came after the governor directed all his aides and appointees to go for COVID -19 tests to ascertain their status.

Recall that that Fayemi had last Wednesday, 22 July announced on his verified Twitter handle that his third results of COVID 19 tests had turned out positive and had gone into self-isolation as part of measures to curb spread of the infection.

Also, the Ekiti State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Olawale Fapohunda earlier announced through his twitter handle @AGWaleFapohunda that his test returned positive.

“The result of my second COVID-19 test came out positive today. In line with the established protocols, I have commenced a period of self-isolation. In my absence, all state legal matters should be referred to the Solicitor-General of the State,” he twitted. The Health Commissioner, Dr Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, who confirmed this development, said the Attorney General and some members of the cabinet have been infected with the coronavirus.

Yaya-Kolade, who refused to name the name of the affected Governor Fayemi’s aides, said it was against the ethics of the profession to disclose the identity of COVID-19 patients.

Commenting on the health status of the Governor, Yaya-Kolade said he was doing fine and in good spirit.

She also seized the opportunity to call on residents to adhere to all laid down guidelines and protocols towards curbing the further spread of COVID-19 in the state.

The commissioner said, “As you are aware that the commissioner for justice announced his status on twitter and I can tell you that there are other members of the cabinet that are also positive but I must say that they are at liberty to disclose or keep to themselves for the obvious reasons.”

Also giving an update about the health status of the 67 active cases in the state, Yaya-Kolade said, “all our patients are doing fine including the governor. They are responding to treatment and we have no problem with them.”

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Olawale Fapohunda made this known while addressing journalists in the state, stating that there will be stiffer sanctions for members of the public who fail to comply with the directive.

Despite the low number of COVID-19 cases recorded in the state as against other states, the government wants every citizen to be alert and avoid been careless so as to guard against an increase in the number of cases following the lift of ban on Inter-State travel.

The Attorney General emphasized that commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as okada riders, should ensure that their passengers wear face masks, and all traders and commercial centres should ensure compliance with precautionary measures or face prosecution.

Hon. Henry Olu Olatuja,Chairman of the APC in the state has pointed an accusing finger to the three apex politicians of starting  an undemocratic process leading to an intra-party mayhem in the state.

Furthermore,Olatuji said ten out of the governorship aspirants in the state for July 20 governorship primary may boycott the exercise.

He added that the aspirants will not be part of the primary election should the Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee (CEONCPC) insist on the indirect mode of primary for the party’s primary in the state.

Recall that leadership of the Ondo state House of Assembly has suspended the deputy speaker of state’s House of Assembly, Irioju Ogundeji, and another member of the House, Adewale Williams.

It was reported that both lawmakers were among the nine lawmakers that kicked against the impeachment move against deputy governor of the state, Agboola Ajayi.

Worshippers and religious leaders were urged to ensure “full compliance with the regulations regarding worship centres, which includes social distancing of 6-feet between worshippers, hand washing and face masks.”

Governor Kayode Fayemi who made the announcement in a statewide broadcast on Tuesday, June 30, also announced plans of reopening schools in the state from July 20.

Fayemi said “However, this might be in phases starting with students in terminal classes SS3, JSS3 and Primary 6 to prepare for their examinations. Other classes will be gradually absorbed as schools meet all requirements to accommodate them safely and responsibly. A certificate of Readiness showing that a school has adhered to all the conditions required for school reopening will be issued to all schools before they can reopen.”

The Chairman of the NGF, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, disclosed this in a statement released to the journalist on Thursday, after the forum’s 10th COVID-19 teleconference meeting held on Wednesday.

The Forum reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that offenders face the full weight of the law.

They also instructed each governor to create sex offenders register in their states.

Governors agreed to, “Declare a State of Emergency on Sexual and Gender-based Violence. Governors strongly condemned all forms of violence against women and children and committed to ensuring that offenders face the maximum weight of the law;

“Call on State Governors that have not already domesticated relevant gender-based protection laws to domesticate the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, the Child Rights Act and the updated Penal Code to increase protection for women and children and ensure speedy investigation and prosecution of perpetrators in addition to creating a sex offenders register in each State to name and shame,” the statement revealed.

The Ekiti State Governor said residents of the state will now have free movement for their daily activities from Monday to Friday between six in the morning and eight in the evening. He also directed civil servants on Grade Level 8 and above to resume duty, while those on Grade Level 7 and below are to remain at home till further notice.

He said “Commencing from tomorrow, June 1, 2020 (today), Ekiti people will now be able to go about their daily activities from Monday to Friday, 6 am to 8 pm. For the avoidance of doubt, the dusk to dawn curfew will daily resume at 8 pm till 5.59 am of the following morning. Ekiti State public officers at Grade Level 8 and above are to resume for duty from June 1, 2020, while those on Level 7 and below are to remain at home for now. Existing restrictions on human and vehicular movement would continue to be observed in accordance with existing regulations contained in the Ekiti State Coronavirus Disease (Prevention of Infection), Regulations 2020. Government is considering reopening the major markets to permanent shop owners, after the outcome of the engagement process that is ongoing on the relocation of roadside traders to the available alternative markets being prepared for them. The reopening will be subject to compliance with specific conditions and protocols that are being determined. Similarly, the government appreciates the impact of the continued stay at the home of our children. Therefore, the effort is ongoing to reopen the schools as soon as the committee set up to appraise the protocols, resources, conditions and modalities for reopening has concluded its work. This is without prejudice to what may be decided subsequently at the national level in respect of school reopening.”