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Tag: Kogi

  • Covid-19 Vaccines: Kogi Records 100% Success Administration – Dr. Saka

    Covid-19 Vaccines: Kogi Records 100% Success Administration – Dr. Saka

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Haruna Saka on Thursday in Lokoja said that the state achieved 100% success rate in the administration of the first dose of the astrazeneca/Oxford vaccine.

    Dr. Saka who disclosed this at the flagg off of the Second dose of Covid19 Vaccines, expressed satisfaction that the State also recorded least wastage rate during the administration which began on the 6th of April, 2021.

    The Commissioner who was represented by the Director Primary Health Care, by Dr. Francis Akpa, expressed appreciation to the vaccines consortium in its efforts to containing the ravaging scorge of the Covid19.

    He appealled to the people of the State who have taken the first dose to make themselves available at all health facilities across the state for the second dose, describing it as safe and free.

    Dr. Saka said the next phase involving all categories of persons would begin after the completion of the administration of the second dose, Commended the Frontline workers for there painstaking efforts in meeting the set target.

    Also speaking, Dr Abubakar Yakubu said the state received 43,900 doses of the Vaccines representing 4,390 viles, adding that 31,960 doses were administered to 26,665 persons.

    Dr. Abubakar who explained that the state recorded 102% of the target population, said only 14% of wastage rate was recorded by the state.

    The Director explained that the State adopted best practices to achieve the significant result, expressed satisfaction that despite the conspiracy theory, no any side effect after administering the vaccines recorded across the state.

    Dr. Abubakar Commended those in the Frontline administering the vaccines, said despite the increase of the vaccines from 16000 to 22000, the men rose to the occasion and levelled up within a week.

  • Police Arrests Three Cattle Rustler Suspects, Recovers 33 Cows In Kogi

    Police Arrests Three Cattle Rustler Suspects, Recovers 33 Cows In Kogi

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    Kogi state police command has arrested three suspected cattle rustlers and have recovered thirty three cows in the process.

    In a press statement issued by the state command public relations officer, DSP William Ayah and made available to the press in Lokoja on Wednesday disclosed that they got a report that a Trailer loaded with rustled cattle were heading towards Kogi State.

    He disclosed that immediately, the Operatives attached to Quick Response Unit in collaboration with Hunters Group promptly swung into action and intercepted a red colour DAF 33 Trailer with registration number Bauchi B 881 KTG along Lokoja-Kabba junction road.

    It was gathered that the following suspects; Musa Yakubu, Sanni Isah and Rabiu Sanni were arrested while thirty three cows were recovered.

    During interrogation, according to the statement, the suspects confessed to the crime and are assisting in the investigation.

  • Governor Bello Splashes, Cash Scholarship, On Young Athletes In Kogi

    Governor Bello Splashes, Cash Scholarship, On Young Athletes In Kogi

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has awarded scholarships and cash donation to young athletes who made the state proud at the just concluded National Table Tennis Championship held in Lagos.

    Governor Yahaya Bello announced this while receiving Ize Sezuo and other athletes in company of her parents, technical managers and other athletes from the state were in governor’s office to present their medals to the Governor.

    In the tournament organized by NTTF in collaboration with the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) and support from Baba Ijebu Bet, Prime Atlantic, and a host of others, Kogi-born Ize Sezuo put up a sterling performance and won a medal.

    The governor who described Ize and others as teenage sensational athletes who deserved unequalled motivation and support, however, charged them to continue to make the state and nation proud.

    “I am highly delighted to meet Ize, the Kogi state representative who while battling toothache and Malaria fever, Ize managed to come 3rd after facing competitors older than her.”

    “I hereby award her an Educational scholarship from now until conclusion of her tertiary Education.”

  • Bello Tasks Citizenry On Peaceful Co-existence In Kogi

    Bello Tasks Citizenry On Peaceful Co-existence In Kogi

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Kogi state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello on Sunday in Lokoja admonished citizenry to sustain the prevailing peaceful Co-existence among various communities across the state irrespective of religious, political and ethic divide.

    Bello gave the advice while commissioning the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) Secretariat Mosque/Hall built by the Kogi state Chapter of the religious body in Lokoja on Sunday.

    The Governor who observed that no society can thrive in the atmosphere of rancour and acrimony said that the only way out to achieve the desired peace in the state was a continuous promotion of religious tolerance, unity and harmonious relationship.

    The Governor therefore, charged the people of the state to always shun tribalism, nepotism and violence attitudes which he said were capable of tearing the state apart.

    He attributed the prevailing peace and harmonious coexistence in the state to attitudinal change of citizens of the state and vowed to continue to do his best in the protection of lives and property.

    The Secretary General Jama’atu Nasril Islam, National Headquarters, Kaduna, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu who represented the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar the 3rd at the occasion, called for God’s intervention over the current spate of insecurity bedeviling Nigeria.

    The Sultan affirmed that Kogi surpasses other states in the federation on religious tolerance and peaceful Co-existence sayings that they should learn from Kogi state.

    His Eminence also prayed Allah to continue to support Governor Yahaya Bello on his aggressive development initiative since he came on board.

    Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of Kogi State Chapter of Jama’atu Nasril Islam, (JNI), Ambassador Usman Bello disclosed that the Mosque was put in place in strong support of Governor Bello and other spirited individuals.

    He prayed God to reward those who contributed towards the building of the Mosque saying that the house of Allah will surely be beneficial to Moslem faithfuls within the area.

    Ambassador Bello expressed appreciation to the Sultan of Sokoto for coming personally on January 27, 2019 to lay the foundation of the newly commissioned Mosque.

  • Pastor Adeboye Lauds Bello On Religious Tolerance In Kogi

    Pastor Adeboye Lauds Bello On Religious Tolerance In Kogi

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    General Overseer, Redeem Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on Saturday in Lokoja lauded governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi for religious tolerance and being a man of faith.

    Adeboye who made this remarks when he visited the governor on Saturday in Lokoja said that the show of faith by Bello in handling the Coronavirus pandemic was a rare demonstration from a political leader.

    “We have heard and seen your show of faith in God, particularly in dealing with the Coronavirus. It takes the man of faith to have acted the way you did and we are pleased with you.”

    “We have also heard the news of how you have been relating to people of every faiths to the extent that you built the first chapel in the Government House, Lokoja, we are delighted, sir.”

    “I want to assure you that we will keep on praying for you, we will keep on praying for the people of your state and I believe that the Almighty God will answer our prayers for you,” Adeboye said.

    In his response, Gov. Bello stressed that the visit of a clergy was a gift and he was delighted to be hosting a father figure who served as a role model to many across the country.

    The governor noted that in Kogi State under his leadership and considering the circumstances surrounding his emergence as governor and his election for a second term, his resolve was to do good by providing credible and impacting governance.

    He assured that his administration would strive to ensure ethnic, religious balance, fighting criminality and other modest achievements stressing that it is evil for any leader to continually do wrong without recourse to natural justice

    He stressed that all faiths at this very period should harmonise the nation, and called for divine intervention for the nation instead of beating the drums of division and war.

  • Fear Grips Motorists, Community As Ozuma Bridge Collapse Under a Week In Kogi

    Fear Grips Motorists, Community As Ozuma Bridge Collapse Under a Week In Kogi

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    Kogi state is now at the centre of criticism as the newly-built bridge, “the Ozuma bridge in OKENGWE”, in Okene local government area collapsed barely one week after construction.

    It’s sad, dangerous and it posses fears as the entire state has been thrown into confusion over the collapse of Ozuma bridge constructed in less than a week at the home town of Governor Yahaya Bello.

    In a statement signed by the Media and Communication, the PDP in Kogi state, blamed the government for using substandard materials, which gulped several millions of naira under another wasteful scheme, better described as a conduit pipe, which has exposed road users lives to unnecessary dangers.

    “It is unfortunate that the administration of Yahaya Bello could not point to any completed project since it came to power, five years ago”.

    “We therefore, advice Yahaya Bello to borrow a leave from the PDP in the state on how it successfully completed the notorious Meme bridge and others, without exposing the lives our good people to any danger.”

    The PDP therefore called on the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) and Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) to come to our aid in Kogi state to avoid other impending dangers to human lives arising from other sub standard construction projects, to ensure that standards are complied with.

    Investigation, however, revealed that the contractors of the project used 10mm rebar for the bridge’s reinforcement while, 10mm rebars are used for domestic and smaller-scale projects like driveways which bear minimal loads.

    For large-scale projects like bridge construction, rebar with a higher diameter is necessary, especially for durability.

    Fortunately, no life was lost and no one sustained serious injury.

  • School Principal Allegedly Aids Rape of Student In Kogi

    School Principal Allegedly Aids Rape of Student In Kogi

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Kogi State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Fatima Kabir Buba on Tuesday in Lokoja vowed that government will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the alleged rape suspects are brought to book.

    “The State Government according to her has condemned in strong term the rape allegations allegedly levelled against the suspended Principal of Rock ‘N’ Gardens Montessori International school Lokoja, Mr. Nathaniel Ali and his friend, Mr. Abdulkarim a former employee of the School.”

    In a statement issued to newsmen on Tuesday, the commissioner said the State Government is determined to protect the girl child and weed out any bad element that intends to destroy the educational system of the State, describing  the act as barbaric and unacceptable.

    Buba stressed further that the case has been reported to the State Ministry of Justice as all parties involved will face the full wrath of the law.

    “This is totally animalistic, and  disheartening. Imagine a Man who is supposed to teach and protect the child while in school was reported to have aided the rape of a 15 years old girl.” She said.

    “This is uncalled for and a disgrace to the educational system with the crops of People that are mentoring our school children. 

    Kogi Government will not condole this satanic, insane act. All hands should be on deck as government will put all measures in place to kick out bad elements from our school system”. She explained.

  • Gunmen Abducts Miyetti Allah’s Chairman In Kogi

    Gunmen Abducts Miyetti Allah’s Chairman In Kogi

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Kogi State, Alhaji Wakili Damina, has been abducted.

    The state Secretary of MACBAN, Mr Adamu Abubakar, told newsmen in Lokoja on Tuesday that Damina was abducted on April 30 by some armed men dressed in army camouflage.

    “Eye witnesses said that the abductors, numbering about eight, came in a white bus at about 12 noon, “forcefully” took Chairman from his house at Chikara village, Kogi Local Government area.”

    Abubakar said that he was informed of the incident about an hour later by the younger brother of Damina who claimed he witnessed the incident.

    “Since then, his lines are not reachable and all efforts to know his whereabouts proved abortive,” he said.

    Abubakar said that he immediately notified the state Commissioner of police of the development, adding that the state government was also informed through the Special Adviser on security matters to the governor, Mr Jerry Omodara.

    The Secretary said that he and some members of the association visited the Nigeria Police Force headquarters, Abuja, to know if Damina was in their custody but they said no.

    He also said that a search party raised by MACBAN had visited other places, including abattoirs in and around Abuja to no avail.

    The state Commissioner of police, Mr Ede Ayuba, when contacted confirmed the incident and said that his command is yet to locate the whereabouts of the Chairman.

    The state Commissioner of police, Mr Ede Ayuba, when contacted confirmed the incident stressing that efforts to get detailed information about the incident from the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area where the incident happened failed as the matter was not officially reported to him.

    The Commissioner said that the Police are yet to locate the whereabouts of the Chairman but efforts would be intensified towards his release.

  • Navy Hands Over 304 (50kg) Bags of Crude Oil, Wooden Boat, 2 Suspects to NSCDC In Kogi

    Navy Hands Over 304 (50kg) Bags of Crude Oil, Wooden Boat, 2 Suspects to NSCDC In Kogi

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The commandant of kogi state command of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Peter Maigeri on Monday in Lokoja warned criminals of all shades and  operations to stay off the state or  meet their waterloo.

    The commandant gave the warning on Monday during the handing over ceremony of 304( 50kg) polythene bags of crude oil, a wooden boat and two suspects arrested by the Nigeria Navy (NNS) Lugard lokoja .

    Maigeri who commended the Navy for the arrest of the suspects ,who he described as economic saboteurs of the country , reminded that his command had in the last two months arrested no fewer than four articulated trailers laden with bags of unauthorised  petroleum products.

    He noted that the  existing synergy between the security agencies in the state has made it impossible for criminals to succeed in their nefarious acts stressing that the upsurge in the arrest of high wired criminals its part of their determination to stamp out crimes and criminality through inter agency synergy.

    “In my candid advise they should avoid kogi state. There would be no hiding place for them  as we are ahead of their strategies. Whatever strategy they develop we will get them.” He warns.

    He disclosed that the four trailers laden with the same illicit petroleum products some times ago have been forfeited to the federal government.

    He added that the command has secured partial forfeiture order for the trailers while the products have been forfeited to the federal Government and called on the other sister agencies and individuals to assist with information that will lead to the arrest of criminals.

    While handing over the suspects to the commandant, the commander of the Nigeria Navy ship Lugard Commodore Clement Atebi said the eagle eyes of his men on patrol at the maritime domain in the state arrested the two suspects with the large consignment of the illicit petroleum products.

    He said with the directive from the Chief of Naval staff on zero tolerance for crimes on maritime environment, he advise predators to pack their luggage from the state or be ready to meet superior fire power.

    He said the wooden boat laden with 304 polythene bags of black oil and crude oil were arrested along Itobe water ways.
    While fielding questions from Journalists , the suspects Adamu Muhammed 25, from Idah LGA of kogi state and Prince Kelechikwu Emersim 20, from Anambra state said they were only contracted to off load the consignment at Lokoja.

    Mohammed while narrating his ordeal amidst sobbing, said it was poverty and inability to pay for his WAEC fees that took him to port Harcourt where he met Kelechi , a wheel barrow pusher who later introduced him to the boat owner.

  • Stakeholders In Kogi Proffer Solutions To National Security Challenges

    Stakeholders In Kogi Proffer Solutions To National Security Challenges

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    It was an assemblage of Opinion moulders and leaders of thought from different fields gathered at Miami Hotel, Lokoja to express their reservations on the pervasive state of insecurity in Nigeria.

    The leaders of different ethnic-based organizations, religious bodies, civil society organizations and media expressed concerns that security agencies and governments at all levels in the country are obviously overwhelmed by the current security challenges

    These opinion leaders were at a- day multi-stakeholder dialogue organised by Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, with support from the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy Democracy Development (SCDDD) in Lokoja, Kogi state capital, at Miami Hotel.

    In her submission, Muslima Itopa, a broadcast journalist, called on government to engage the services of traditional rulers in combating crimes and violence.

    Former Majority Leader, Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Alhassan Salisu Adakeke, submitted that the spate of banditry, upsurge in crimes and nationwide insecurity are ominous signs of impending revolution.

    Adakeke accused politicians of creating avenues for current state of insecurity to thrive.

    Representatives of youth groups bemoaned fraudulent activities by officials handling the various social intervention schemes introduced by the government.

    They warned that if government fails to proffer solutions to rising unemployment and dwindling education in the country, crimes and violence will remain attractive to the restless youths.

    Ahead 2023 general elections, the stakeholders review current state of the Nigerian nation and proffered solutions.

    Mike Abu, a journalist, called for dissolution of power, autonomy for judiciary, State Houses of Assembly and the local government.

    He called for the abolishment of state of origin, arguing that state of residency should be adopted for national integration and cohesion.

    The leaders of thought lamented that Kogi State is been neglected by the Federal Government. They decried the dearth of federal presence in the state.