Nigeria’s challenges beyond ethnicity, party politics — Ortom

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said that the challenges bedeviling Nigerian were beyond ethnicity, blackmail and partisan politics.

Ortom who spoke on Thursday during an interdenominational church service to mark Nigeria’s 60th independence at the IBB Square in Makurdi, blamed the country’s woes on leaders including himself.

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“As leaders we have failed from the top to the bottom in this nation. If I’m permitted, I will ask forgiveness from Nigerians on behalf of the leaders because nothing in this country is working.

“The challenges of Nigeria are beyond ethnicity, party politics and blackmail. Failure is failure, we have failed and must accept the fact so we can work towards a new Nigeria at 60,” he said.

The governor urged leaders in the country to Internationally take steps to correct situations which are not pleasant as he suggested the convergence of a national sovereign conference where a binding resolution on Nigerians would be reach.

He however salute the resilience of Nigerians whom in his estimation strive daily to survive challenges in the country.

Ortom further prayed to that God would cause a change in the country for it to occupy its rightful place among the comity of nations, adding that at 60, it was time for a change of baton in Nigeria.

Earlier, in his sermon to mark the celebration, Archbishop Yimam Orkwar, posited that only God can tell whether Nigeria would continue to survive as one indivisible nation.

Orkwar taking his message from the book of Isaiah 26:20 of the Holy Bible, also assured that the Coronavirus pandemic will pass over and things would become normal again across the globe.

Our correspondent reports that the Benue State government in collaboration with the state chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) held the interdenominational service at the IBB Square in Makurdi.

Governor Samuel Ortom and top government functionaries as well as members of the clergy from various churches attended the service during which prayers were offered for the nation.