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Tag: Kogi state

  • Flooding: Relocate to Higher Ground, Kogi Warns Residents Against Impending Flood

    Flooding: Relocate to Higher Ground, Kogi Warns Residents Against Impending Flood

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    In its bid to prevent casualties in some flood prone Communities across the 21 Local Government areas of the state, the Kogi State Government has warned residents to relocate to higher ground before the flood sets in.

    The Commissioner for Environmental, Victor Adewale Omofaiye warned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainages and urged those in flood prone areas to relocate, stressing that there is highly level of destruction caused by indiscriminate dumping of wastes.

    He noted that in as much as the people would not desist from dumping refuse on water ways the possibility of mitigating the effect of flooding will be reduced stressing that government agency is out to sensitize the people and create awareness for them to get themselves prepared for the upcoming flood.

    According to him, going by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) prediction, Kogi will be experiencing high flooding this year.

    He however restated the Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State commitment to tackling environmental issues in the State.

    Earlier, the leader of Sarki Noma community expressed dissatisfaction over the position of the river in sarki Noma which according to him always over flow during the flood and consequently destroying houses and other valuable properties.

    The general manager, Kogi state Sanitation and Waste Management Board, Mallam Abdulganiu Sanni had advice that every household should have waste bin stressing that this would go a long way to reduce the menace of dumping of refuse indiscriminately.

    In his remarks, the Executive Director Kogi Atate Emergency Management Agency, (KOSEMA) commended Sarki Noma community for their collective effort in tackling flood issue, urging them not to relent in their efforts and that government is prepared to play its own part.

    Also speaking, Mrs Dorcas Enehe the Director Climate change who declared the 2021 NIMET prediction about the flood confirmed that sensitization of the flood prone areas is ongoing in the State.

    It would be recalled that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) in May warned that 27 states including Kogi together with 121 local government areas will experience high risk flooding during this year’s rainy season.

  • 2023 Presidency; Nasarawa APC Stakeholders Will Speak With One Voice, speaker, tells Kogi people

    2023 Presidency; Nasarawa APC Stakeholders Will Speak With One Voice, speaker, tells Kogi people

    By Leo Nzwanke, Lafia

    Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi has said that stakeholders of the ruling All Progressive Congress, the APC in the state will meet, to take a common position and to speak with one voice in making choice of 2023 presidential candidate.

    Balarebe made the disclosure on Tuesday, at the Nasarawa state House of assembly, when Rt. Hon. Mathew Kolawole, the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly led other members on Governor Yahaya Bello 2023 presidency aspiration support visit to APC members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly.

    Balarabe Abdullahi said that the APC members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly have no doubt on the capacity of Gov. Bello to be the next president of the country come 2023, noting that the house always speak with one voice and will meet with critical stakeholders of the party in the state in order to take a common position on the matter.

    “We acknowledge the capacity of His Excellency, Gov. Yahaya Bello as he is one person that does not give chance on issue of insecurity because there would be no development without security.

    “We consider this visit as a moment of joy. We here in Nasarawa State House of Assembly always speak with one voice and always go in one direction.

    “We want to assure you that we in Nasarawa State will speak with one voice on the issue of 2023 presidency.

    “We have leaders whom we so much believe in them. We are going to share this your view with our leaders in order to speak with one voice,” the speaker said

    The speaker used the opportunity to commend President Muhammadu Buhari over his developmental strides across the states of the federation.

    Earlier, Mathew Kolawole, the Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly has solicited for the support of members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly to enable Gov. Yahaya Bello succeed as the president of the country come 2023.

    Kolawole said that their desire to support Gov. Bello for president was due to his laudable achievements in Kogi in the area of security, education, youth and women inclusion in governance as well as empowerment, religious tolerance among others.

    “We are here to advocate, market our own, His Excellency, Gov. Yahaya Bello, the youngest and performing governor.

    “It is time, it is our turn for North Central to produce a president in 2023.

    “We members of the Kogi State House of Assembly has good and cordial working relationship with His Excellency which has brought the much needed development in the state,” he said

    The Kogi Speaker told members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly that they have passed a vote of confidence and made a resolution that Gov. Yahaya Bello should contest for president come 2023.

  • New CP Nwazue Assumes Duty, Promises to Sustain Peace Feat In Kogi

    New CP Nwazue Assumes Duty, Promises to Sustain Peace Feat In Kogi

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The new Commissioner of Police, Kogi Command, Arungwa Nwazue, on Monday in Lokoja promised to sustain the peace feat attained by his predecessor, AIG Ede Ayuba in combating crimes in the state.

    CP Arungwa Nwazue who made the promise while taking over from his predecessor at the Kogi Police Command headquarters on Monday in Lokoja assured that he would strive to make more achievements in securing the lives and property of the citizens.

    He appreciated the efforts of the former CP in ridding the state of Criminalities such as kidnapping, robbery and cultism saying that “Kogi is not doing badly like other states as obtainable in Niger and Kaduna. I sincerely attribute this stride to my predecessor and the security friendly Kogi state governor.”

    Nwazue said that combating crimes in any given society is a collective struggle and called on the people of the state to extend similar co-operation to his office to enable him succeed just as they did throughout the period of the former Commissioner of Police.

    ” I will focus majorly on intelligence gathering to operate. I therefore, call on the people to always give useful information that would enable the police succeed in the arrest of criminal elements. Most of our problems are human made and should strive to avoid the pitfalls as all facets of human endeavours should see themselves as partners in progress” he said.

    Earlier, the former CP, Ede Ayuba who was elevated to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in-charge of Zone 8, overseeing Kogi and Kwara states thanked the people of Kogi state for their cooperation which according him facilitated his success story in the fight against criminality in the state.

    He therefore, appealed to the people of the state to extend similar gesture to the new Commissioner of Police to enhance his success.

    Ayuba expressed gratitude to God and the Federal Government for his elevation with a promise that it will spur him to achieve more in his professional callings.

  • Over 1000 Women Matches Against Gendered-Based Violence In Kogi

    Over 1000 Women Matches Against Gendered-Based Violence In Kogi

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    In their bids to commemorate with this year’s African Women’s Day, no fewer than 1000 Women on Thursday in Lokoja matched against gendered-based violence in Kogi State.

    “This year’s Campaign is a global campaign on the elimination of violence against Women and Girls (VAWG), which aims at changing widely accepted harmful social norms that too often justify violence against women and girls, and work with communities and individuals to promote positive norms that promote gender equality and non-violence”.

    Speaking on behalf of the Women, the State Coordinator, Gender and Constitution Reform Network, (GECORN), Eunice Abimbola Agbogun called on the Government to support the campaign to put an end to all forms of violence against women and to ensure women are included in politics ahead of the 2023 general election.

    Agbogun called on the Government and stakeholders to rise up to the challenge of negative stereotypes and norms about Kogi and African Women adding that, they should become anti-gender-based violence champions in their communities.

    “Women at the center of all, should be included in programming because of their role in society and with about with about 50°o of the world’s population, their contributions cannot be under-emphasized.”

    ” It is important we celebrate the role of women beyond child-bearers and primary caregivers. We have seen women achieving greater heights in the society industrially, law, politics, agriculture, and education respectively.”

    “There is almost no level of human attainment that women have not been able to conquer. Astronauts, fighter pilots, scientists, mathematicians, Journalists and activists respectively.”

    She, however, called on the State Government to ascent to the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, (VAPP), a bill that was passed into law by the State Assembly recently.

    Also speaking, the Kogi State Chairperson, International Federation of Female Lawyers, (FIDA), Mrs. Lilian Okolo said almost all the states in the country have passed the VAPP bill, hence there is a need for Kogi State to follow the part of history. She explained that the bill is not only for women alone but for everyone.

    Responding, the Kogi State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Fatima Kabir Buba said the day is a period to acknowledge African women who played a vital role in building the African continent.

    Among the participants of the peace walks according to our correspondent includes, Gender and constitution reform network, International Federation of Female Lawyers, (FIDA), National Association of Women Journalist, (NAWOJ) and Federation of Muslims Women Association in Nigeria, (FONWAN).

    Others are Women in Christian Association of Nigeria, National Council of Women Society, Market Women Association, including widows took a walk to the Kogi State Ministry of Women Affairs Lokoja calling for an end to all forms of violence against women in the State.

  • PDP Receives Several Returnees In Kogi

    PDP Receives Several Returnees In Kogi

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Kogi state Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) over the weekend received the party returnees in kabba/Bunu local government area of the state.

    The State Treasurer of the Party, Hon Alfred Bello who received the returnees on behalf of the party at a pre-congress meeting held in his ward ‘Ayeteju/Kajola’ in kabba/Bunu local government area told them to be loyal and committed to the party’s Ideals and policies.

    Hon Alfred Bello thanked the Ward stakeholders for their commitments to the party and advised other politicians in other parties to join P.D.P in good time as he is sure of P.D.P returning back to power come 2023.

    The returnees were led by Hon Dare Hinmikaye a former supervisory councilor representing the ward acknowledged that P.D.P is the only party that can take the masses out of hunger in the land.

    On the forthcoming Congress, the exco were unanimously returned based on the principle and spirit of consensus except those found guilty of Anti-party at the previous elections.

  • Bandits On Rampage, Kidnaps Eight Ceramic Workers In Kogi

    Bandits On Rampage, Kidnaps Eight Ceramic Workers In Kogi

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    Eight workers of Ceramic company, in Ajaokuta local government area of Kogi State were said to have been Kidnapped by Unknown gunmen on Wednesday morning.

    Our correspondent gathered that the incident happened at the early hours of Wednesday in Emiworo in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of the State.

    It was gathered that the workers were abducted while loading stones, (materials) which is expected to be delivered in the ceramic site located in Ajaokuta.

    According to reliable sources, the suspected criminals who were fully armed whisked away their victims to an unknown destination.

    The wife of one of the victims, ‘Hassan Shaibu’ who spoke to our correspondent confirmed the kidnap of her husband.

    She said” Yes, my husband was among those ceramic workers kidnapped in Emiworo. We are yet to hear anything from their abductors. As I speak to you, am confused and I don’t know where to go from here”.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in Kogi State, DSP William Ovye Aya who confirmed the incident to our correspondent said six mining workers of West African Ceramic were kidnapped.

    According to him, the Police in collaboration with sister security agencies are combing the bushes to ensure that the abducted miners regain freedom from their abductors.

  • Kidnappers Killed While Collecting Random In Kogi

    Kidnappers Killed While Collecting Random In Kogi

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    It was another bad day for criminality operating in Kogi State as two kidnappers met their Waterloo in the early hours of Tuesday in an attempt to collect ransom from one of the victims of the neighboring state.

    According to our correspondent, the professional hunters in Okehi Local Government Area of the state ambushed the kidnappers who allegedly came out in Abobo area behind Nigerian Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe to collect the ransom demanded before the release of their victims.

    It was gathered that two of the three kidnappers were killed in the process while one escaped into the bush with gunshot wounds with the captives freed in the operation.

    Confirming the report, the Divisional Police Officer, Okehi Local Government Area, Mr Ovanja Yakubu said men of the Nigerian Police in his division were drafted to join professional hunters to fetch out the third kidnapper dead or alive.

    Reacting to the development, the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed, maintained that the state cannot accommodate any criminal who wants to deprive the people of their peace.

    He said he was elected and sworn-in to protect the lives and property of the people and will ensure such covenant is kept for posterity.

    The governor therefore commended the professional hunters and the conventional security agencies in the state for their tireless efforts in eliminating criminal elements from the state.

  • PDCRC Vows To Facilitate The Passage Of VAPP Bill Into Law In Kogi

    PDCRC Vows To Facilitate The Passage Of VAPP Bill Into Law In Kogi

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Director General of Kogi State Public Defender and Citizen Right Commission, (PDCRC) Abdullahi Zakari has reiterated his determination to facilitate and track the progress of passing the VAPP bill into law in the state.

    Zakari made this known on Friday during an advocacy visit to his office by the State Coordinator of Gender and Constitutional Reform Network (GECORN), Mrs. Eunice Agbogun.

    He reiterated that the VAPP bill by now should have been passed into law, stressing that he would use his good office to facilitate and track the progress from appropriate quarters.

    Zakari declared his readiness to partner with GECORN, an agencies who has human right struggle and abuse in the society as it’s focus.

    According to him, domestic violence is becoming gender bond, but prevailing more among women, hence the need to have an establish law that fight against such crime.

    While emphasizing on the welfare of those who are victims of child abuse, rape and domestic violence, the DG disclosed that as soon as the VAPP is passed in to law, his office will ensure the need for the Sexual Assault Response Centers (SARCs) to be created to enable proper protection of the victims.

    He however promised to use the intellectual and professional wealth of his office to promote, synergies and create a more formidable working environment for GECORN and Civil Society Organizations in the state.

    In her response, the state coordinator of GECORN, who is also the Executive Director of Challenged Parenthood Initiative (CPI), Mrs. Eunice Agbogun thanked the Director General of PDCRC for the warm reception and the good work towards humanity.

    Agbogun who thanked the DG for the follow up and contribution towards the VAPP bill campaign in the state stressed that the office of the Public Defender is cardinal towards the actualization of the network goals and objectives.

    Eunice therefore stressed the need for support mechanisms to address sexual and gender based violence in homes, internally displaced people, rural communities, urban areas, educational, health institutions, and workplaces.

    She also urged the DG to use his good office in helping GECORN in actualizing the demand on the Federal Government to declare March 8 a state of emergency on violence against women and girls.

  • Two Killed Over Stolen Mobile Phone In Kogi

    Two Killed Over Stolen Mobile Phone In Kogi

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Felele axis, a surbub in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital was thrown into confusion as panic enveloped when three people were allegedly Killed Over a Stolen Mobile Phone

    An eye witness revealed that a suspected thief who snatched a mobile phone and sneaked into a shop where the innocent shop owner was mistaken for being the thief on the run was killed by a mob, while the suspect escaped.

    Our correspondent gathered that in a reprisal, sympathisers of the late shop owner, identified one of his alleged killers, beat him to death and set the corpse ablaze, while some persons have been taken to the hospital following injuries they sustained during the clashes.

    Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kogi Police Command, DSP Williams Aya, said the command received a distress call from Felele at about 10 am on Monday, and on arrival at the scene discovered two dead bodies said to have been killed in a clash.

    The PPRO explained that one Salisu Ado and Muhammad Mukaila all dead were alleged to have engaged in a fight over yet to be ascertained cause leading to their death.

    He stated that Muhammed Mukaila was alleged to have stabbed Salisu Ado to death, prompting a reprisal attack by his relations and sympathisers who equally killed Mukaila and set his corpse ablaze.

    According to DSP Aya, two suspects Muhammed Mubarak and Suleiman Yakubu all believed to be members of Aro Barger cult have been arrested in connection with the killings.

    It was gathered that investigation into the matter has commenced as the state Commissioner of Police has ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department .

  • ActionAid Tasks States To Emulate Religious Tolerance Exemplifies In Kogi

    ActionAid Tasks States To Emulate Religious Tolerance Exemplifies In Kogi

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Resilience Programme Coordinator of Actionaid Nigeria Mr. Anicetus Atakpu on Tuesday in Lokoja called on religious leaders and stakeholders in the country to maintain religious tolerance as exemplified in Kogi State.

    The none governmental organizations Coordinator, Atakpu, Worried by the growing spate of insecurities across the country, traced some of the problem of insecurities in the country to lack of religious tolerance.

    Mr. Anicetus Atakpu made the call on Tuesday at a one day religious dialogue meeting organized by Actionaide Nigeria in collaboration with Participation Initiative For Behavioural Change in Development, (PIBCID) with funding from Global Community Engagement and Resilience Funds.

    He described religious leaders as a strong catalyst for the Prevention of violent extremism in the country, stressing the need for the usage of their strong influences on their followers in strengthening peace building and preventing violence in the country.

    Atakpu who disclosed that the aim of the program was for community resilience strengthened against violent extremism in Kogi and Nasarawa state , however, commended the people of Kogi State for tolerating each other irrespective of their religion adding that, over the years, Kogi State have not recorded any religious crisis.

    He said the program was to further prevent any action that is inimical to the peace of the state stressing that, Actionaid Nigeria through it’s SARVE II Project in the last two years has engaged and integrated over 20,000 youths across the State.

    According to him, within the year in review, ActionAid Nigeria has been able to achieve community response team to identify any point of conflict to avoid escalating.

    The Programme according to him is also centred on changing the mentality of youths towards violence extremism adding that when conflict occurs, Women and Children suffers the major casualties.

    Earlier in her welcome address, the Executive Director of Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development, (PIBCID), Halima Oiza Sadiq, explained that the Religious Dialogue Meeting under the SARVE II Project was aimed at reducing vulnerability and risk of young men and women.

    , The Dialogue’s aims according to the Executive Director is to intensify actions towards improving enabling environment as well as supporting communities against injustices and inequalities through building tolerance to mitigate against violent extremism.

    Speaking at the event, the Kogi East zonal coordinator of Jamaatu Nasril Islam, (JNI) Alhaji Mohmmed Idris admitted that the European over the years have misled the government stressing that Christian and Islamic religion should be made compulsory for admission to tertiary institutions.

    In a related development, the Kogi State Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Assistant Secretary Rev. Frank Paul Oluwatimileyin maintained that the two major Religion in Nigeria shares major ideologies which are symbols of peace, love, humanitarian service and respect each others religion.