The thanksgiving and grand
reception in honour of Rt. Hon Mrs Dorothy Mato, representing
Vandeikya/Konshisha federal constituency was held on Sunday, 26 Nov. 2017 at St
Peter’s Catholic Church, Mede, Mbadede, Vandeikya Local Government Area of
Benue State. The event was organized by the elders of Mbangur community,
Mbadede district under the Chairmanship of Arc. Bernard Yisa.
The thanksgiving service was
moderated by Very Rev Fr. Dr. Akume Mato while the sermon was delivered by Rev.
Fr. Moses Msughter Ate. In his sermon, “Jesus is the King of kings”, he said
there is no other person like Jesus and should be given all the honour and
glory. That kings, presidents and other leaders come and go, but Jesus Christ
still remains the unchanging King and Hon Mrs Dorothy should continue to look
up to Jesus including all politicians for them to make the desired impact.
He appreciated Hon Mrs Mato for
using her accumulated wealth to elevate the human race through her enormous
contributions to education, agriculture, health, community development,
infrastructural development, youth empowerment, women empowerment, orphans and
vulnerable children.
In her speech, Reps. Mrs Mato
thanked Rev Fr. Moses for being a blessing to her and the entire people of
Mbadede. She also appreciated the wife of the Benue State Governor, Dr. Eunice
Ortom for honouring her invitation and for being one of those who have
contributed to her success. She appreciated Rev Fr. Mato, the brother to her
husband for making her married a good man. She was grateful to the support and
prayers of the elders and all the people of Mbadede and promised to always
stand by them.
She donated 200 bags of cement
and also gave N200, 000 in support of the new church building project of St.
Peter’s Catholic Church, Mede which is still in progress. She said she has not
been duly paid that is why she is yet to do more but as soon as the situation
is resolved, everything will be fast in progress. She urged others to support
the church project as well. In their responses, Dr. Eunice Ortom donated N500,
000 for the project and also gave N200, 000 as welfare package for the
organizers and those invited by Rep. Dorothy. The Chairman of Vandeikya LGA,
Hon Dennis Akura donated N100, 000; a member of the Benue State House of
Assembly, Hon Titus Ubah donated N50, 000 including others who gave various
amount. Dr Eunice and Hon Dorothy promised to do more as time progresses.
The Chairman of the occasion,
Arc. Yisa eulogized Rep. Dorothy for her uncommon love for her people and
encouraged her to do more to support her people and work towards uniting APC in
the state.
The vice Chairlady of the
occasion, Chief Mrs Martha Yasee Akiga; the Vice Chairman of the occasion, Hon
Terna Takeda and Hon Titus Ubah in their separate speeches, thanked Hon Mrs
Mato for the good work she has begun and encouraged her to keep it going as
they will ensure she gets the support she needs for her election in 2019.
The mothers of the day for the
occasion, the former First Lady of Benue State, Chief Mrs Regina Akume JP and
the wife to Senator Barnabas Gemade, Chief Mrs Vickie Gemade were represented
and they all appreciated Mrs Mato and prayed that she continues to climb
greater heights both in her personal life and political career.
Hon Mrs Mato assured Dr Eunice
that the people of Jechira will give her husband, Governor Samuel Ortom block
votes in the 2019 governorship election.
Dr Eunice closed the occasion
with her speech by appreciating Reps. Mrs Mato for being a resolute woman who
loves her people without reservation. She extended her husband’s appreciations
to all the people of Mbadede and Vandeikya in general for their support for his
administration and promised to do more for the people of Benue State.
She admonished Reps. Dorothy to distant
herself from using thugs in politics and God will see her through her political
pursuit.
She thanked kunav for their
unswerving support for Hon Dorothy and urged them to continue to support her
for the good work she is doing and for her election in 2019 and that men should
also support women who wish to participate or choose a career in politics.
By Terfa Naswem