Former Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, has urged residents of the state to make peace and unity a priority, regardless of their religious, political or ethnic differences.

Ortom made the call during a welcome service organised for the new Pastor in Charge of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Region 40, Benue State, Pastor Bode Odesola.

The former governor, who is a member of the RCCG Regional Headquarters, urged the people of Benue to continue to live together peacefully, stressing that differences in faith or political affiliation should not become a source of division.

He also appealed to residents not to allow ethnicity to overshadow the values of peace, unity and hospitality for which Benue is known.

Welcoming Odesola to the state, Ortom prayed for God’s continued blessings upon Benue and the RCCG under the leadership of its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.

In a symbolic display of acceptance and appreciation, Ortom later cladded the outgoing Pastor in Charge of Region 40, Pastor Samuel Babalola, and his successor, Odesola, in traditional Benue attire.

The gesture, he said, represented love, acceptance and gratitude as the church welcomed its new leadership.

In his response, Odesola thanked Ortom and the people of Benue for the warm reception, praying for God’s continued blessings upon the state.

He also expressed appreciation to Adeboye for giving him and his predecessors the opportunity to serve in Benue State.

The ceremony ended on a celebratory note, with guests and parishioners treated to traditional Benue music.