…As Ortom & Wife, Wike, Onoja gets Chieftency titles.
Attah Ede, Makurdi
Former President of the Nigeria Senate, David Mark, has lauded Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom for building a befitting palace for the Ochi’Idoma.
Mark stated this during the official commissioning of the newly constructed palace of the Ochi’Idoma in Otukpo.
According to Mark, Governor Ortom has given dignity to the traditional institution in Benue State with the reconstruction of the Tor tiv and Och’Idoma palaces respectively..
He added that “Governor Ortom has made the Idoma nation proud by the construction of an ultra-modern palace for the paramount ruler of the Idoma nation.
He stated that Idoma sons and daughters will now have a sense of pride, inviting their friends to visit the kingdom.”
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and his wife, Mrs. Eunice Ortom, and Governor Nyesom Wike were conferred honorific chieftaincy titles by the Idoma Area Traditional Council.
The Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty, John Elaigwu Odogbo, who performed the ceremony, also honoured retired Maj-Gen. Lawrence Onoja with a chieftaincy title. Governor Ortom was conferred the chieftaincy title of “Ochikpali L”Ogwabo K’Idoma,” meaning “Defender of the Defenseless,” while his wife, Dr. Eunice Ortom, was given the title “Ogbonene K’Idoma,” meaning “Kindness of Idomaland.” Governor Wike was conferred the title of “Okokonjo K’Idoma,” which translated to “the unbreakable.”
Governor Ortom, his brief remarks at the occasion, acknowledged that the traditional institution was a key component for the success of governance, saying it was the reason his administration accorded priority to the welfare of traditional rulers.
He pointed out that, as part of deliberate policy to ensure the traditional rulers performed optimally, prompt payment of salaries as well as the provision of vehicles was made a topmost priority.
He appreciated the guidance his administration has received from traditional rulers, stressing that their untiring support has enabled him to be firm in tackling the complex challenges that confront the state.
The Governor disclosed that, apart from the befitting palaces for the two paramount rulers in the state, he has directed the upgrading and rehabilitation of all government lodges in local government headquarters as palaces for the first-class chiefs in the state to also provide more befitting accommodations for them in their domains.
He extolled his Rivers State counterpart, Governor Wike, for demonstrating that he was a true friend of the state by his continued support to IDPs, noting that Wike has been speaking out against injustice and oppression of the Benue people.
In his remarks, Governor Wike expressed appreciation to the Och’Idoma for finding him worthy of being honoured with a chieftaincy title in Idomaland. He recalled how he shares common ties with the people of the state as a chieftaincy title holder in Tivland and now Idoma.
He praised Governor Ortom for passionately identifying with the traditional institution and prioritising the welfare of traditional rulers by building state-of-the-art palaces for them, and he prayed to God to grant the Governor success as he rounds off his eventful tenure.
In his address, the Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty, Odogbo, stated that history would be fair to Governor Ortom for building a befitting palace for the Idoma nation.
The Och’Idoma went spiritual when he declared that God’s will prevail over the Idoma kingdom and stressed the need for unity amongst his subjects for development in his domain.
The paramount also declared peace and prosperity on his domain, emphasising that despite the challenge of insecurity from external aggressors on his domain, he was optimistic that the powers of darkness would be frustrated, adding that the authority of God would continue to prevail over his domain.
Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Prof. James Ayatse, in his goodwill message, congratulated the Och’Idoma for moving into an ultra-modern palace and commended Governor Ortom for “leaving legacies that generations will remember,” stressing that “you have lifted the traditional institution, and we, your royal fathers, are pleased with you for doing so well.”
In separate goodwill messages at the ceremony, Air Vice Marshal AVM Monday Morgan (ret), Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Prof. Innocent Ujah, and the State Head of Civil Service, Mrs. Veronica Onyeke, all described the event as historic and hailed the foresight of Governor Ortom in erecting the magnificent edifice.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, who is also the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee,
Chief Ekpe Ogbu, stated that the palace had a residential complex, an administrative block, service quarters, a chapel, a guest house, a public square and pavilions, conference halls, and other facilities, noting that the commissioning of the palace was “a monumental stage in the annals of Idoma history, which has given pride to the people.”
Others who were honoured with chieftaincy titles included Gen. Lawrence Onoja (ret.) as “Okekela K’Idoma” (the Voice of Idoma Kingdom), and Ode Ede as “Ojalohoi K’Idoma,” meaning “He is enough for us.”
