By Florence Ugbem
The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has again gone into isolation, after coming in contact with victims of COVID-19.
This is the second time Governor Ortom would go into isolation, since Coronavirus was reported in Nigeria February last year.
Ortom had in July, 2020 gone into isolation when his wife, Dr (Mrs) Eunice Ortom, son, and some of the wife’s personal aides tested positive for the deadly virus.
Engr Benson Abounu, the State Deputy Governor, disclosed this on Sunday at the Armed Forces Interdenominational service held at the ECWA Church, Makurdi.
According to Abounu, his principal decided to go into isolation, following the medical report indicating that a certain unnamed Permanent Secretary and his family members tested positive for COVID-19.
“As I speak with you, the governor has been in isolation for about nine days and has shown no symptoms or signs of the virus. So, am happy to inform you that by tomorrow, we should be able to certify him free and he will resume work,” Abounu said.
Speaking further, Abounu who represented the governor re-emphasised the need to adhere strictly to National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines/protocol against COVID-19, as the state marks Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
The governor emphasised the need to practice safety, stating that prominent personalities in the country, in recent times have died from complications arising from COVID-19, and called on the people of the state to adhere strictly to the NCDC laid down guidelines on COVID-19.
He prayed for the repose of the fallen heroes and thanked the serving officers for the relative peace experienced in the state, as a result of their selfless service and sacrifice to humanity.
In his remarks, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev. Akpen Leva, who commended the state government for the relative peace experienced in the state, especially in the Sankera axis, commiserated with the Armed Forces for the fallen heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in ensuring peace.
Rev. Leva called on both the federal and state government to look into the plight of ex-servicemen and pensioners in the state and called for prayers for the nation, over insurgency, banditary, kidnapping and other ills bedeviling the country. Also, he called on the federal government to device other means for NIN registration, which he said is exposing the people to COVID-19.
In his sermon, titled: “A Search for Authentic Military/Security Personnel,” Bishop Edward King called on all security personnel to see their office as a calling.
He explained that, to be an authentic security personnel, one has to be spiritually balanced, emotionally balanced, intellectually balanced and posses physical strength, stating that officers need to cultivate good character, develop competence, and be dependable, while they carryout their duties.