Benue state governor admits they have failed Nigerian youths as leaders

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state on Wednesday, August 12, made a critical remark on leadership which many Nigerian youths believe truly capture the reality in the country.

During an international youth celebration held in Makurdi, the state capital on Wednesday, Governor Ortom said that leaders in the country of various capacities have failed the coming generation, Vanguard reports.

Ortom particularly mentioned that leaders have terribly failed to uphold equality and fairness as legacies for the youths to follow.

The governor said that it is failure on the part of the leadership when the rule of law is selective and some politicians are regarded as sacred cows that cannot be touched, making them powerful enough to steal billions of naira without being questioned or probed.

He said: “Let me say here that the leaders in this country have failed, me inclusive. It Is a big shame to us leaders, we must ask for forgiveness from God. And I implore you that you shouldn’t take after us.

“The rule of law is selective, there are sacred cows that cannot be touched, even if they do bad things, they cannot be touched. People steal billions and they are allowed to go scot-free while those who steal chickens are jailed."

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Ortom had given his submission on the best way the federal government can frontally tackle Nigeria's insecurity from the grassroots.

During a virtual meeting attended by members of the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL) and Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), on Wednesday, August 12, Ortom called on the government to allow those he refers to as responsible citizens to carry sophisticated weapons like AK47 so as to protect others.

As part of his suggestions, the Benue governor advocated more funding from the government and stakeholders for Nigeria's security agencies and regular training of their operatives to enable them to be abreast of global dynamics in the fight against insurgency and all forms of violent crimes.