By Matthew Ajai-Kume and Florence Ugbem
Governor, Samuel Ortom has charged the people of Benue State to rise up and defend themselves from external attacks being masterminded by armed Fulani herdsmen.
The Benue State Governor gave the charge Friday in Adoka, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State during a funeral oration in honour of Mama Enenu Ebute, mother of Justice Mary Abounu, wife of the state Deputy Governor, Engr Benson Abounu.
Governor Ortom noted that even Israel who are the chosen heritage of God does not allow her people to be killed recklessly without defence, stressing that the people of the state have had enough and needed to live by strongly protecting themselves lawfully.
He urged patriotic Nigerians and men of good conscience to speak out against the ills in the country, pointing out that support and synergy with security agents was imperative in the fight against banditry, terrorism and other forms of criminality.
“Hundreds of villages in Benue State had been sacked and thousands displaced by marauding herdsmen, such menace portends danger for the state as the Food Basket of the Nation,” Governor Ortom lamented.
He admonished the people of the state to put politics aside and join hands with government to fight for the survival and soul of Benue State which he said is currently under siege.
While expressing belief that the deceased lived a worthy and fulfilled Christian life and would be enjoying eternity in Heaven, the Governor prayed God to console the bereaved family members, stressing that he was happy to be associated with the Abounu family.
Earlier, delivering the sermon at the funeral service, Methodist Archbishop of Abuja, Most Reverend Job Oche, admonished Christians to always work on their spiritual lifestyle while on earth, in order to be assured of eternity.
Most Reverend Oche explained that the death of Mama Enenu was an opportunity for people to listen and benefit from the Gospel. He described the deceased as one of the lieutenants of the Church who dedicated her time to the service to God and He should grant her soul eternal rest in the presence of the Lord.
In separate tributes, in-laws of the deceased, Dr Godwin Ogwuche described her death as painful, and thanked God for an opportunity to be part of her life while Pastor Charles Kalu described her as a precious and virtuous individual, and prayed to God to fill the vacuum her demise has created.
Mama Enenu Ebute JP died at 75 years after a brief illness at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi leaving behind Justice Abounu and six other sons and daughters and many grand children.
Wife of the Executive Governor of Benue State, Dr Eunice Ortom and other prominent personalities among whom were Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Titus Uba, Senator Abba Moro and former Deputy Governor of the State, Chief Steven Lawani attended the funeral.
Others were members of the Benue State Security and Executive Council among many other dignitaries.