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Tag: Gov Yahaya Bello

  • Gov. Bello’s country Home, Okene Agog As Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Train Storms Kogi

    Gov. Bello’s country Home, Okene Agog As Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Train Storms Kogi

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Campaign train of All Progressive Congress, (APC) Presidential, National and State Assemblies was on Tuesday received by a mammoth crowd at Agasa-Uruvochinomi Juncture, Okene in Kogi state.

    The Governor while presenting the party flag to candidates thanked the multitude of supporters for their loyalty asserting that the achievements recorded by the present administration in execution of legacy projects would be small compared to what the APC government will consolidate when reelected into office.

    He also maintained that the party will continue to ensure truth and justice in all its activities, saying it will mobilize party supporters and bring on board as many as they can into the party.

    According to him, when the party comes back into power, the people of Kogi State will have a lot to benefit as projects will be attracted to the state in the overall benefit of the people.

    Governor Bello, who canvassed support for the Senatorial and House of Representatives as well as State House of Assembly candidates, promised that they will not regret doing so.

    Speaking earlier the Director General, Kogi State 2023 Presidential, Senatorial and State Assembly Campaign Council and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pharm. Abdulkareem Jamiu Asuku assured that the party had presented credible and popular candidates hence the victory of the APC at the polls was guaranteed.

    In his own remarks Director-General, Kogi Central Campaign Council, Abubakar Adagu, described Governor Yahaya Bello as a leader who is concerned about the well being and growth of the party.

    While acknowledging the Governor’s efforts at transforming the state, he assured that all APC candidates will be voted into office for more dividends of democracy.

    Adagu also commended the Governor for being an exemplary leader who has produced men of proven integrity to lead, assuring of the people’s support

  • Gov. Bello Mourns Leadership Correspondent In Kogi, Egwu

    Gov. Bello Mourns Leadership Correspondent In Kogi, Egwu

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello on Monday in Lokoja described the death of the Leadership Reporter in Kogi State, Mr Sam Egwu as a painful and great loss.

    In a Press Statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Mohammed condole the family of the late journalist, the management, staff of the Leadership Newspaper and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) over the sudden death.

    Bello also described the late journalist as a man of truth and fairness who practised journalism with professional ethics.

    He said that Journalism has lost one of its dedicated and upright members noting that the late Egwu will be remembered for his objectivity, diligence and hard work.

    The Governor prayed God to grant the soul of Sam Egwu eternal rest and members of his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

    “The Man Sam Alfa Egwu was born in Awo-Akukunda village, Ankpa. Local Government Area in June, 1955. Had his Primary education at the Native Authority Primary School, in same community between 1963 and 1969.”

    “He was at St. Charles College, Ankpa for his secondary education from January, 1972 to June, 1976.”

    He cut his journalism teeth with “The Message Newspaper”, the first community newspaper in Kogi State, run by Barr Joshua Igonoh in Idah, and moved on to Lagos in 1992 after his National Diploma in Journalism at the Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Lagos.

    Egwu later joined Hallmark Newspapers as a sports reporter, under Late Emeka Obasi in Lagos and covered international sports tournaments in Algiers (Algeria) and Cairo (Egypt).

    He left Lagos in 2004 for Lokoja where he joined Daily Trust Newspapers as Kogi State Correspondent.

    The veteran journalist later moved to Peoples’ Daily Newspaper upon threats by the then government in power to truncate his career.

    Elder Sam Egwu left the Peoples’ Daily after about two-year stint and anchored his ship of experience on the shores of Leadership Newspapers, his final stable, as Kogi State Correspondent in Lokoja before he answered the divine call.

    “Egwu will be buried on Friday at Awo-Akukunda, Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi after Lying In State at NUJ Press Center, Lokoja.”

  • 2023: Gov. Bello Flags of Campaign In Kogi East, Assure People Of Victory

    2023: Gov. Bello Flags of Campaign In Kogi East, Assure People Of Victory

    from Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Kogi state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello on Sunday flagged off the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential/National and state Assembly campaign in Anyingba, Kogi East Senatorial district.

    The governor who made his remarks amidst loud cheers and ovations from the mammoth supporters of the party assured of an outstanding outing at the forth coming polls.

    He acknowledged that asides the high attendance of the party supporters on their own volition out of their love and dedication coupled with their desire for dividends of democracy and appreciated  party bigwigs and stakeholders from the eastern region for being on ground to deliver APC from all across board.

    Governor Bello who presented all the candidates in Kogi East  to the jeering crowd reiterated that Alh. Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate Mr. Kassim Shettima remained the team to beat.

      He said the Kogi state APC was committed to coming up with the highest percentage amongst the entire 36 states for the Presidential, Senatorial/House Of Representative and State Assembly elections respectively.

    “In 2019 you delivered 100% because you are trustworthy people and I believe this time similar feet would be repeated across board,” the governor stressed.

    The governor pointed out that such result would give Kogi state a vintage advantage to demand for certain dividends from the central government after its emergence.

    Earlier in his opening remarks, The Deputy Director General, Kogi State Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Council and Deputy Speaker Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon. Alfa Momoh Rabiu thanked the governor for providing a level playing ground for the emergence of credible candidates which has made campaign council’s work easy.

    Sen. Jibrin Echocho, the Senatorial candidate for Kogi East in his goodwill message said governor Bello’s developmental strides in Kogi East has done 80% of their campaign work while the remaining 20% was for each candidate to work on their individual interpersonal relationships and acceptable with the electorates. 

  • Gov. Bello Visits Bereaved Kogi NUJ Chairman, Urged Him To take heart

    Gov. Bello Visits Bereaved Kogi NUJ Chairman, Urged Him To take heart

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has charged the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kogi State Council, Comrade Adeiza Momohjimoh to take heart and be strong in order to take good care of his children and other dependants.

    Governor Yahaya Bello gave the charge on Saturday when he paid a condolence visit to Comrade Adeiza Momohjimoh over the death of his wife, Mallama Zainab Adeiza.

    The Governor who described death as a price every mortal must paid, urged the NUJ Chairman not to allow the death of his wife to weigh him down.

    He pointed out that death is inevitable, saying it would always come but as mortals no body know when it would come.

    The Governor said he was told of the illness of Late Mallama Zainab Adeiza, said he directed his personal physician to Intervene with the view to bearing all the expenses, but expressed sadness over her death.

    While expressing regrets that having directed late Mallama Zainab who was billed to be the first patient to go through a surgery at the State Reference Hospital Okene, described her death as one too many, urged the family to take solace in the fact that Late Mallama Zainab Adeiza, lived a fulfilled life.

    In his remarks, the NUJ Chairman, Comr. Adeiza Momohjimoh said the visit of the Governor would helped him recover from the despondency the death of his wife has caused, described his late wife as not only a wife but a mother.

    The Chief of Staff to the Governor , Pharm Abdulkareem Jamiu Asuku, offered prayers for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased, and for the family she left behind.

    The All Progressives Congress State Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello and the Special Assistant Media to the Governor, Dr. Yemi Kolapo were part of the Governor’s delegation.

  • Gov. Bello Queries Dr. Ado Ibrahim, Ohinoyi Of Ebiraland For Refusing To Honour PMB’s Visit

    Gov. Bello Queries Dr. Ado Ibrahim, Ohinoyi Of Ebiraland For Refusing To Honour PMB’s Visit

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Kogi State Government has queried the paramount traditional ruler and Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr. Ado Ibrahim for refusing to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari to the state.

    In a letter to the prominent monarch signed by Enimola Eniola, Director of Chieftaincy Affairs, the Ohinoyi was accused of exhibiting deliberate attitude and actions capable of bringing “Kogi State and Ebira land in particular to grave disrepute”.

    According to the letter, he refused to come out and receive the President at the designated venue rightly approved by Governor Bello.

    The letter read, “It has been observed with serious concern that you have exhibited deliberate attitude and actions capable of bringing Kogi State and Ebira land in particular to grave disrepute. These actions are quite unbecoming of a revered Royal Father of your status.

    “Specifically, you were aware through many fora of the glorious visit of Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari to Okene on 29th December, 2022 to commission land mark projects executed by our dear Governor, His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Bello.”

    ” In a flagrant disregard to the persons and high offices of the President and the Governor, the went further “you bluntly refused to come out and receive the President at the designated venue rightly approved by the Executive Governor of the State.”

    “It might interest you to note that official courtesy demands that when a personality of a President occupying the highest office in the land is visiting or even passing through the State, the Governor and top Public Officers including topmost Traditional Rulers are expected to receive him as a mark of respect for him and the Office he occupies.”

    “It is on record that in time past, Topmost Traditional Rulers including the President, Kogi State Council of Chiefs do receive the Governor of the State on his return from critical missions undertaken on behalf of the State. But, you have chosen to disdain the office of the Executive Governor, and this time, you did it with effrontery before the number one citizen of Nigeria.”

    “This action of yours is an act of Insubordination and disloyalty to the President and Commander-in-Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces, the Executive Governor of Kogi State and the entire Ebira nation as a whole.”

    “It portends grave danger to the Security of the State and laying bad precedence for Traditional Institution of the State.”

    “In view of the above, I have been directed to request you to forward a written explanation within 48 hours why disciplinary action should not be taken against you for these acts of insubordination and disloyalty.”

    “Oral explanations may be required from you when a panel is set up to study your case. It is expected that you will accord priority to the content of this letter, Your Royal Majesty.”

    Ibrahim had earlier expressed his support for Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Kogi Central Senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party amid threats from Governor Bello and the ruling APC.

    The governor had warned monarchs in the state against receiving or supporting candidates from opposition political asides from his party and allegedly threatened to depose any monarch that received candidates asides from the APC.

    President Buhari was on December 29, 2022, in the state to inaugurate some projects built by Governor Yahaya Bello.

    However, the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland was rocked by a bomb blast on that particular day where bout three people were killed by the blast, with some others injured.

  • Gov. Bello Applauds DSS For Prompt Action, Arrest Of Terrorists Of Okene Bomb Explosion

    Gov. Bello Applauds DSS For Prompt Action, Arrest Of Terrorists Of Okene Bomb Explosion

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has applauded the Department of State Security for its prompt action towards the arrest of the mastermind of the bomb explosion of Okene in the state.

    In a press release made available to Journalists in Lokoja by the state commissioner for information and communication, Kingsley Fanwo expressed gratitude to the Department for unmasking the terrorists behind the Okene explosion of Thursday 29th December, 2022.

    He noted that “the promptness of action of the Department has further steeled our trust in the security agencies.”

    “The arrest of the principal characters has justified our position that enemies of the state are again breeding terror cells that had been crushed by the indomitable security architecture of the present administration.”

    “If not for the masterclass security architecture of the State Government, it would have been turned into a terror zone by the enemies of the state. We call on the DSS and other security agencies to dig deeper into the matter to unravel the real intent of the attackers and how to avert future reoccurrence.”

    “We want to assure the good people of Kogi State that the administration is prepared to ruthlessly tackle the handful of insecurity in the state. We wil ensure criminals and their sponsors have no place in Kogi state.”

    The unbending capacity and commitment of the Governor to security has been further proven in fulfilment of his promise that “if the criminals come in their numbers, they will return in their zeros. Kogi State will remain inhabitable for cowards masquerading as criminals.”

    “As we prepare for the 2023 general elections, we call on political actors of all political parties to shun political terrorism and discourage their supporters from fomenting trouble as the Government of Kogi State will not tolerate any form of peace breach.”

    He assured the people of Kogi State that the State Government will spare no resources in ensuring the state remains peaceful, united and safe. 

  • Gov. Bello Signs N172b Budget Into Law

    Gov. Bello Signs N172b Budget Into Law

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    Kogi State Governor,l Yahaya Bello has signed into law, the 2023 appropriation bill of N172b passed by the State Assembly.

    While signing appropriation bill at Lugard House, Lokoja, Governor Bello thanked members and staff of the assembly for their patriotism and service to their fatherland.

    Bello stressed that the synergy between the three Arms of Government in the state will continue as it has yielded positive results in the smooth running of Government and implementation of projects and programmes.

    He said his administration will continue to foster unity amongst the three arms of government for the smooth implementation of the government’s policies and programmes.

    Governor Bello assured the Assembly of his administration’s readiness to ensure full implementation of the budget in line with available resources.

    The speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mathew Kolawole hailed the governor for his commitment and support to the House of Assembly over the years while noting that the current assembly has been flourishing tremendously in its legislative businesses with the support of the executive.

    He congratulated the governor on behalf of the State Assembly for the execution of numerous projects across the state including the Reference Hospital, Okene and others commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    In his remarks, the State’s commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Asiwaju Idris Asiru commended the governor for his transparency and accountability in the implementation of people’s oriented programmes.

  • Kogi Explosion: State Govt Vows To Arrest Perpetrators

    Kogi Explosion: State Govt Vows To Arrest Perpetrators

    The Kogi State Government has vowed to unravel the perpetrators of Thursday’s Okene explosion in order to put an end to such heinous act in the state.

    The Security Adviser to Kogi State government, Retired Commodore Jerry Omodara, made the statement in a telephone interview with our correspondent in Lokoja.

    According to him, no government official attributed the incident to transformer explosion, saying police bomb experts have taken samples from the venue of the explosion for test in order to ascertain the type of explosion that blew off on Thursday in Okene shortly before President Muhammadu Buhari’s commissioning of some projects in the state.

    The explosion, which occurred around 9.00 a.m. close to the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland palace resulted in the death of three persons, blew down the fence of the palace.

    “It is an expert who can authoritatively say that the explosion is either a dynamite or bomb. Until the experts come out with their investigation and result, nobody can attribute it to anything yet.

    Omodara, who stated that the state government has already engaged security agents to unravel those behind the ugly incident, vowed that government would not allow the detractors to go unpunished.

    He pointed out that the aims of the perpetrator was to discourage President Buhari from coming to the state to commission projects executed by Governor Yahaya Bello, noting that the president was very happy to see many of the laudable projects provided for the people of the state.

    “Governor Yahaya Bello is determined to ensure that the state remain safe as the gateway to the North and South. Whatever happens to Kogi State in terms of security will definitely affect the entire country and we will continue to fight those who will like to cause security breach in the state” he said.

    He also stated that the government had intelligence report on Okene explosion which “explains why they had enough deployment of security personnel across the state to be able to frustrate their efforts”.

    The security adviser described the Thursday’s Okene explosion as the handiwork of enemies of progress.

    “Unfortunately, in spite of that the enemies of progress still tried to distract President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Kogi by setting that explosion.

    “All the same, the deployment and tight security around didn’t allow them to achieve their aim.”

    It should be recalled that an explosive which is yet to be determine if it’s a bomb or dynamite blew off yesterday killing three while some persons were said to have sustained injuries.

  • Bello Declares Thursday Public Holiday as Buhari  Commissions Projects In Kogi

    Bello Declares Thursday Public Holiday as Buhari  Commissions Projects In Kogi

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Kogi State Government has declared Thursday, December 29th 2022 as public holiday as the state prepares to receive President Muhammadu Buhari for the commissioning of legacy projects in the state.

    A statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, on Sunday, urged the people of Kogi State to come out en-masse to receive the President who will be in the state to Commission projects of Governor Yahaya Bello led administration.

    The state government also urged all labour unions and security agencies in Kogi State to ensure full compliance.

    “The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR shall be visiting Kogi State on the 29th of December, 2022 to commission legacy projects across the State.

    “In view of this and to ensure a hitch free reception for Mr. President, the Government of Kogi State under the leadership of His Excellency Alh. Yahaya Bello wishes to announce that Thursday 29th of December, 2022 has been declared as a public holiday.”

    “Government wish to call on the people of the State to come out in their number to receive Mr. President and display the hospitality we are known for as he will be commissioning life-touching legacy projects across the State.” 

  • EFCC’s Fresh Media Trial On Kogi, Desperation to Tarnish Gov. Bello’s Image In Kogi – Fanwo

    EFCC’s Fresh Media Trial On Kogi, Desperation to Tarnish Gov. Bello’s Image In Kogi – Fanwo

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Kogi State Government on Thursday in Lokoja said EFCC’s fresh media attacks clearly shows its desperation to tarnish the image of Kogi state Government.

    The Commissioner for Information and Communication in Kogi State, Kingsley Fanwo in a statement made available to Journalists in Lokoja debunked an allegation of money laundering levelled against it by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    The government in a sharp reaction to a statement by the EFCC on Thursday, observed that the Commission, with its present allegations, had shown clearly that it was desperately seeking to save its face after the Commission hit a road block in its N20bn Sterling Bank media trial.

    Fanwo who insisted that no money belonging to the Kogi State Government was laundered noted that Nigerians should ask the EFCC if its “biased” corruption searchlight that was only meant for Kogi State.

    “The media trial by the EFCC is a calculated and orchestrated plan to embarrass the State Government by going after its Officials and Associates with trumped up charges to satisfy the destructive fangs of their paymasters,” Fanwo noted.

    The government in its reaction said that the inclination of the EFCC was against the acknowledgment of due process and financial accountability given to the Kogi State Government by international organisations.

    It particularly cited the recent honour accorded the Kogi State Government by the World Bank funded SFTAS project in which Kogi was lifted above peers in financial accountability.

    The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to a press statement on the website of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to the effect that they arraigned some persons who they alleged were linked with laundering monies belonging to the Government of Kogi State.”

    “Inasmuch as we would not want to delve into the depth of the matter which is now sub judice, it is pertinent to draw the attention of the general public to the fact that the desperation of the EFCC to crucify Kogi State at all costs may have landed them in another trouble.”

    “Unlike the EFCC that has been known for serial contempt of court under the current leadership; we are committed to allow the law to take its due course on the matter and our innocence, again, proven beyond reasonable doubt.”

    “It would be recalled that this same EFCC once accused the Kogi State Government of stashing 20 billion naira bailout funds in a fixed deposit account in Sterling Bank. When the legal fireworks were about to ruffle their biased feathers, they quickly backed out and claimed that the money had been returned to the Central Bank of Nigeria”.

    “Till date, they have not shown Nigerians any proof of the return even when Sterling Bank Plc has under oath denied the return of any monies belonging to the Kogi State Government.”

    “It is not unexpected that the EFCC would feel disappointed that the monies they claimed had been stolen from the coffers of the state have been used to build Nigeria’s best hospitals, good roads, best schools that are about to be commissioned. We cannot help their descent into political pawn.”

    “Nigerians know that the recent Gestapo-like operation against the State was occasioned by EFCC’s failure to sell the “fixed” Bailout funds debacle to the people. They became desperate to save their face from the disgrace bestowed on them by their “Destroy Kogi” Agenda.