President Goodluck Jonathan has assured the people of Benue State that his administration will not leave any stone unturned until normalcy return to areas under consistent attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
President Jonathan also extended his deepest expressed to the government and people of Benue State over the senseless killing and maiming of the people of the state by the assailants
Dr Goodluck Jonathan stated this at the wedding ceremony between Mr. David Ortom, son of the Minister of State for Trade and investment, Chief Dr. Samuel Ortom (Tiv) and Miss. Christy Ikwue, from Idoma extraction of the state
Represented by the Interior Minister, Comrade Abba Moro, the President expressed delight at the level of unity between the Tiv and Idoma people of Benue State , which culminated into a coming together between the two families through marriage
President Jonathan , while lauding the families of the groom and bridegroom for doing away with tribal sentiments , described Chief Ortom as a great assets to the transformation agenda of the present administration , and implored Nigerians to embrace inter –tribal marriage so as to foster greater national cohesion, peace and unity .
Dr Jonathan therefore urge Nigerians to emulate the good people of Benue State by encouraging inter-tribal marriage
The President also advise the couple to imbibe godly virtues of patience , love and unity as the bedrock of the new union.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Vice-president, Arc. Namadi Sambo represented by Engr. John Tion and the senate president senator David Mark, represented by Representative Hassan Saleh all noted the significant of the intertribal marriage which will go a long way to bring peace and unity which this country greatly deserve.
Earlier, Benue state Governor Dr. Gabriel T. Suswan, represented by his wife, Arc. Dooshima Ochanya Suswan said that despite the great security challenges that has brought a lot of killing of innocent people in the state by the suspected Fulani headsmen, and in which so many of Benue people displaced, the marriage between David Ortom and Christy Ikwue was significant like the ecclesiastes which says, there is time for war, time for marriage.
Suswan described the coming of David Ortom and Christy Ikwue as a sign of unity that the state and the country deserves.
In his speech, the father of the bride, Dr. Samuel Οrtom, the minister overseeing the Aviation ministry, expressed gratitude to the president Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the Vice president Arc. Namadi Sambo, the Senate President David Mark and the great multitude that turned out to support the marriage especially thanked the Governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswan, his wife and the deputy Governor, Steve Lawani and his wife, the speaker Benue State house of assembly and the entire Benue people who turned out despite this security changes that has displaced “ our People”.
In his vote of thanks the father of the groom, Chief Ben ikwue thanked all and urged everybody to pray for the quick return of peace to Benue and Nigeria adding that on their part, everything will be done to nurture the marriage to maturity.
