Good Governance

(With Abstract and Reference)
His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, is the Governor of Kogi State, in the North Central Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria. Yahaya Bello is a prominent Nigerian entrepreneur with diverse and humongous investment interests across several sectors of Nigeria’s economy. Old friends agree that not only is he divinely blessed, but that he was blessed early. They testify that he became a billionaire early, and long before his foray into politics.

Those who know Yahaya Bello well will tell you how he was hurt by the underdevelopment of Nigeria, and his native Kogi in particular, especially how the roots of that underdevelopment was fertilized by the rampant corruption and arrogance of successive political elite and their public service and private sector collaborators. As a youth, he was pained no end by the suffering of the ordinary citizen and driven by radical ideas of a dream nation.

The foregoing, along with his belief in Muhammadu Buhari as the Change Agent for Nigeria, motivated him into politics, an undertaking at which he has also proved very successful – like in everything else he has tried his hands.

Born on 18th June, 1975 in Agassa, Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, he spent most of his early childhood in his native Kogi State during which period he completed his early education before leaving to earn secondary and tertiary education qualifications in Suleja, Niger State and Zaria, Kaduna State respectively.

His Excellency who is today a Chartered Accountant of many years’ standing and a distinguished Fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) bagged an outstanding Bachelors Degree in Accounting and an MBA in Business Administration from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University in staccato fashion. He was mobilised along with his mates into the National Youth Service Corps for the mandatory 1-year National Youth Service Corps and posted to the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

During his service year, and determined to be an entrepreneur rather than a civil servant he launched the Fairplus Group which quickly blossomed into a thriving conglomerate over the next couple of years. However, at the end of his service year, the young Yahaya Bello had so distinguished himself at work that he was retained by the RMAFC and rewarded with full employment into the Commission. This shifted his full-time self-employment dreams for a while.

Alhaji Yahaya Bello refused to rest on his laurels, studied hard and became a Chartered Fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) in 2004 while continuing to excel at work. He earned rapid promotions through Revenue Officer, Revenue Officer II, Accountant and then Head of Department at his employer’s Zonal Office in Makurdi, Benue State.

Yahaya Bello’s serious work ethics and dedication catapulted him through the ranks at a relatively young age into the commanding heights of a Civil Service career. Before long he was promoted Assistant Chief Accountant of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) of Nigeria.

Yahaya Bello, who had become a consistent and skillful investor in Nigerian securities in addition to the successes of his Fairplus Group rode the stock boom of the early 2000s and grew his nest egg into substantial wealth. He distinguished himself as a good judge of market and business trends and reinvested his money in real estate, transportation and other profitable sectors. In what must be a case study for serious investors, he grew a diversified portfolio which helped him to avoid the worse of the global economic meltdown of 2007-2008.

The economic meltdown was a turning point which reminded Yahaya Bello of his passion for private business and enterprise. Ever restless for fresh opportunities, he took the bold step of voluntary resignation from the Civil Service, and became a full-time entrepreneur. As the MD/CEO of a burgeoning conglomerate, he made numerous successful investments in the years following, considerably enlarging his net worth.

His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello is the chairman and founder of the Kogi Youths Arise Group, the political action group with which he prosecuted his campaign for Office in 2015. At first it was to mobilize young persons in Kogi State for increased roles in leadership and governance but it soon morphed into a tsunami of political action which helped him get elected as the youngest state Governor in Nigeria in 2015.
The group’s twin tenets of ‘not too young to run’ and a ‘New Direction Agenda’ encapsulates the Governor’s passion for youth to get involved in politics and to try out fresh, if controversial ideas, in Office.

Upon Inauguration, His Excellency’s New Direction Blueprint was a groundbreaking document which purposely utilizes a select number of the Sustainable Development Goals to attack multidimensional poverty in his state using the UN/Oxford Multidimensional Poverty Indices.

In 2017, less than 2 years into his first term, Kogi State was invited by the United Nation to the 72nd UN General Assembly as one of only 4 success stories in the SDGs in Nigeria. One is not surprised. His Administration’s New Direction Blueprint and its faithful implementation is arguably the first time a Nigerian subnational Government will be making such utility of the new global development frameworks.

The results turned out better than expected. Commenting on Governor Bello’s stewardship during his State visit to Kogi on December 29, 2022 an impressed, and obviously excited President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR had this to say: ‘I am glad that we have an impressive array of legacy projects through your own state government as proof of our stewardship of Kogi. The APC Administration has indelible footprints in Kogi.’

The President further assured the throng of wellwishers that he considered Bello and his New Direction Administration in Kogi State as one of the APC Government’s success stories: ‘We are proud of him and I encourage the people of Kogi State to continue to support him and his team as they are working hard to ensure peace, security and development in the state.’

Governor Yahaya Bello is a committed party man and a matchless political operative who has delivered for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in every assignment handed to him by the National Executive Council (NEC). His Excellency played prominent roles in the APC’s electoral successes in several States. His Excellency is the Treasurer, Progressive Governors’ Forum.

His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State was appointed Chairman of the Youth, Women and Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) Mobilisation and Sensitisation Committee for the APC Membership Registration and Revalidation Exercise, 2021. As all and every Nigerian can attest, Governor Yahaya Bello helped to attract millions of young to older people across the nation to the APC through a colourful and creative drive during the exercise.

Reporting to the President after the exercise, the then national leadership of the APC singled out Governor Bello and his team for special Commendation, noting that their work was indeed a positive turning point for the party: ‘(The) Youth, Women and People Living with Disabilities’ Sensitization and Mobilization Committee contributed tremendously to the success recorded in the nationwide membership registration/re-validation exercise’.

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State also participated in the APC Primaries for 2023 Presidential Elections and helped to galvanize youthful interest in the political season like never before. Upon the emergence of His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu (now President-elect) as the APC flagbearer at those primaries, Governor Bello demonstrated his sportsmanship and loyalty to Party supremacy immediately by collapsing his campaign into the winners.

Later appointed the National Youth Coordinator and Chairman of the National Youth Mobilisation Directorate in the APC’s Presidential Campaign Council for the elections, His Excellency went on to discharge his duties with characteristic excellence and despatch. It is on record that the youth component of the APC has never been as physically involved in the Party’s electioneering as they became in 2023. Pundits believe that the credit should go to the President-elect’s personality and his formidable political machinery, of which Yahaya Bello was a leading light.

For his sterling successes in leadership and governance, Governor Yahaya Bello is the recipient of many awards from prestigious institutions, both within Nigeria and internationally. It is however a measure of His Excellency’s values that one of the most cherished is the first ever Inspector-General of Police Award for Excellence In Security Governance. It was an award bestowed exclusively on him by Nigeria’s then top cop for his Administration’s successes in turning Kogi State from the most insecure state in Nigeria outside of the North East pre-2015, into the safest state in the country within two years of taking Office, according to data from the National Bureau for Statistics (NBS) and other rating agencies.

His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State is a leading performer in the Vision 2030 of the United Nations via the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He has exceeded the 35% Affirmative Action for Gender Equity and Youth Inclusiveness. He is also a grand advocate of persons with special needs and makes sure to include members of the community in government.

No wonder he is the recipient of the Most Gender Sensitive Governor Award from the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) which also invested him as the He-For-She Ambassador of Nigerian Women 2021. UN Women and AU ECOSOC have also issued him Commendations for his exemplary leadership in gender equity, as have frontline female leaders on the African continent such as Her Excellency, Jewel Cianeh Taylor, Vice President of the Republic of Liberia.

His Excellency’s appeal as a cross-cutting politician is well documented and he has forged friendships with other leaders across party lines. His enduring friendship with his brother Governor in Rivers State, who is the de facto National leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made him one of the few opposition figures to be conferred with the highest honours in the State, to wit, the Grand Service Star of Rivers State (GSSRS) in 2022.

Alhaji Yahaya Bello is a philanthropist who, long before he ventured into politics, was already deploying his personal funds to run three orphanage homes while sponsoring scores of undergraduate and postgraduate students in various higher institutions within and outside Nigeria. He is still neck-deep into philanthropy to this day.

Yahaya Adoza Bello is a devout Muslim who is happily married with children. His hobbies include reading and travelling, although he has fully sacrificed the latter in order to sit at home and focus on the job of governing his state and people. In the 7-plus years that he has led Kogi State, he has only travelled out of the country twice – both time on assignment with or for President Muhammadu Buhari.

It goes without saying that in Nigeria’s leadership space today, Yahaya Bello is the undisputed front-runner in security, affirmative action, youth inclusivity, unity and diversity. He is a bridge-builder who has stepped in to restore peace and unity to the nation when crisis loomed large. For example, during the face-off between Northern and Southern parts of Nigeria caused by the Shasha Market crises and subsequent blockade of food shipments to the South, Governor Yahaya Bello brokered a peace deal which not only caused trade to resume normally but also stopped planned reprisal attacks against southerners in the north.

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State is popularly known in the media as ‘The White Lion’ and ‘The Stormy Petrel’ of Nigeria’s current political dispensation. The former salutes his strength of character and untainted reputation while the latter references his penchant to confront and ride out storms, unafraid – especially when they threaten the welfare of the people.

To his teeming supporters across Nigeria, His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State is, by the grace of Almighty God, a man for today and for tomorrow.

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Part II: ABSTRACT

This formal citation provides a comprehensive account of the illustrious career and noteworthy achievements of His Excellency Yahaya Adoza Bello, the esteemed Governor of Kogi State in Nigeria. Governor Bello’s remarkable journey is outlined, showcasing his entrepreneurial acumen, commitment to addressing underdevelopment and corruption, and his subsequent entry into the political arena. The article meticulously details his early life and education, including his completion of primary education in Kogi State, followed by secondary and tertiary education in Niger State and Kaduna State respectively.

Governor Bello’s academic accomplishments as a Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) are highlighted, underscoring his attainment of a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and an MBA in Business Administration from the esteemed Ahmadu Bello University. His dedication and work ethic are evidenced during his National Youth Service Corps assignment at the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), where his exceptional performance led to his retention and subsequent employment by the commission.

The citation showcases Governor Bello’s meteoric rise in the civil service, marked by rapid promotions and significant contributions to the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission. During this time, he also demonstrated his investment prowess, capitalizing on market trends and expanding his financial portfolio in diverse sectors such as real estate and transportation.

The article delves into Governor Bello’s entry into politics, driven by his deep-rooted desire to combat underdevelopment and champion the cause of the ordinary citizens. His involvement in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his pivotal role in mobilizing and galvanizing youth for increased participation in politics are highlighted. The citation further acknowledges his appointment as Chairman of the Youth, Women and Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) Mobilization and Sensitization Committee for the APC Membership Registration and Revalidation Exercise in 2021, which significantly contributed to the party’s nationwide success.

Governor Bello’s transformative leadership and governance are explored, with a specific focus on his groundbreaking New Direction Blueprint. This blueprint, which utilizes select Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), demonstrates Governor Bello’s innovative approach to tackling multidimensional poverty within Kogi State. The citation highlights the recognition received from the United Nations for Kogi State’s exemplary implementation of the SDGs, underscoring the administration’s commitment to global development frameworks.

Furthermore, Governor Bello’s commitment to gender equity, youth inclusiveness, and the welfare of persons with special needs is emphasized. His initiatives and achievements in these areas have earned him prestigious awards, both nationally and internationally. Notably, the citation acknowledges the Most Gender Sensitive Governor Award from the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) and his appointment as He-For-She Ambassador of Nigerian Women 2021. Governor Bello’s leadership in promoting gender equity has garnered commendations from UN Women, AU ECOSOC, and esteemed female leaders on the African continent.

The citation recognizes Governor Bello’s commendable efforts in fostering unity and building bridges across party lines. His enduring friendship with a fellow governor from an opposing party, which resulted in the conferral of the Grand Service Star of Rivers State (GSSRS), exemplifies his commitment to national unity and cooperation.

Governor Bello’s philanthropic endeavors are also highlighted, including his pre-political involvement in running orphanage homes and sponsoring numerous students in higher education. His dedication to public service is further exemplified by his limited international travel, prioritizing governance and the well-being of his constituents.

In conclusion, this citation encapsulates the exceptional achievements and unwavering dedication of His Excellency Yahaya Adoza Bello, the 4th Executive Governor of Kogi State, Nigeria. His transformative leadership, innovative governance, and commitment to the welfare of the people have earned him accolades and recognition both nationally and internationally. Governor Bello’s remarkable journey, from a young entrepreneur to a visionary politician, serves as an inspiration to aspiring leaders and underscores the potential for positive change through dedicated public service. With his relentless pursuit of progress and development, Governor Bello continues to shape the trajectory of Kogi State and contribute to the advancement of Nigeria as a whole.

Part III: REFERENCE

BELLO, Yahaya Adoza. “Citation of His Excellency Yahaya Bello, the 4th Executive Governor of Kogi State of Nigeria.” Kogipedia Compendium of Governance In Kogi State, vol. 7, no. 1, 2023 (www.kogipedia.net).

Click the image below to read the letter of acceptance and appreciation of Governor Yahaya Bello on his national honour.

Implementation of the Naira Redesign Policy (NRP) by the Central Bank of Nigeria has refused to fade.

Popular grassroots media house, Brekete Family dedicated a moment during one of her recent programmes on Human Right Radio to celebrate Yahaya Bello, the Governor of Kogi State and his Kaduna and Zamfara States counterparts for taking up the gauntlet and bringing relief to the nation by approaching the Supreme Court which ultimately struck down the CBN’s botched approaches. #Courage

We cannot appreciate #TheEssentialGYB and his courageous colleagues enough even as Nigerians gradually come to grips with the pains and loses inflicted on them by the apex bank. It was a truly courageous deed to stand up to their own party and Government on behalf of the Nigerian people, and at a time when it could have had dire electoral consequences for them personally.

The quintessential Maya Angelou said it best:

*”Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.”*

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The Federal Government is to relocate 10, 000 persons in Mosun Community in Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi following the rampaging activities of the River Benue during raining season.

Alhaji Abubakar Yelwa, the Managing Director (MD) of the Hydro-Electricity Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), made this known on Monday during a tour of the affected communities in Mosun Community.

Yelwa said that the relocation of the affected communities became imperative sequel to the negative impact of the 2022 flood in the affected communities as villagers had to desert their homes for safety.

“We will begin construction of buildings that would accommodate the affected villagers in two weeks if we are shown the piece of land by the traditional ruler and the Bassa Local Government authorities.

“What we are afraid of is the flood for 2023, going by the prediction of NiMet, which says this year’s rain would be heavier than that of 2022, which may mean more flood than what we experienced.

“Here we are at the site, and you can see for yourselves the levels of damaging activities of the River Benue in these communities within Mosun kingdom. We have to do something to save their lives and make their living worthwhile.

“As soon as the authorities show us the piece of land to relocate them, we shall begin construction work immediately. We are ready to move our equipment to the river banks to start work on controlling ithe ravaging erosive activities, ” the MD said.

Earlier, the traditional ruler of the Mosun Kingdom, Alhaji Burka Ali, told the HYPPADEC boss and his entourage that the 2022 flood was very devastating.

”No fewer than 10,000 people were displaced by the 2022 flood. In fact, land space of over 300m was washed away by the flood.

“As for the piece of land for the resettlement of my unfortunate people, we have already selected a piece of land to show HYPPADEC.

“I am short of words. We appreciate the commission and the Federal Government for this show of love and concern to the people of my kingdom.

“We are ready to cooperate with HYPPADEC to see that the resettlement programme is a success for the good of our fellow brothers and sisters as well as our children, who have suffering due the flood, ” Ali said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit of the commission to the Mosun kingdom was spiced with the award of chieftaincy title to the HYPPADEC boss and Alhaji Isa Ozi-Salami, the Kogi Representative on the governing board of the commission.

While Yelwa was crowned as the “Ondaihi” (Galadima) of Bassa Land, Ozi-Salami was crowned the “Oniereza Ogbanyi of Mozum kingdom.

NAN reports that NiMET warned Nigerians to prepare for an earlier-than-expected onset of rainfall in most parts of Nigeria.

Starting on or around March 2, NiMET said, the coastal areas of the south-south comprising Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa-Ibom will see heavy rainfall.

NiMET said an extended rainfall season is predicted to occur in Gombe, Kaduna, Kwara, Enugu, Anambra, western Ogun, and Lagos states.

The northern states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno will have an onset of rain between June and July.

Peak rainfall would be between July and September.

It said the coastal zone of the South-south states of Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom will observe unpleasant rainfall changes.

NiMET also said the central states are likely to wait until May while Katsina, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Cross River, Ebonyi, Imo, and Rivers will experience delayed onset of rainfall.

For Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno the rains will not begin until June and July. Only Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kwara Gombe, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos will be near normal but with a worrisome quantity.

NiMET added that the noticeable increase in climate change and human-triggered activities including indiscriminate dumping of wastes will cause more floods in 2023 and that the waters will come in high intensity within a short duration. (NAN)

Naira Redesign Victory: Elated Nigerians hail Yahaya Bello and others as ‘Heroes of the Republic’ online as CBN finally recapitulates and order banks to transact in all currencies. It will be recalled that the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Governors Yahaya Bello, Ahmad El Rufai and Bello Matawalle of Kogi, Kaduna and Zamfara States respectively in a suit they instituted against the federal government disagreeing with the mode of implementation of the Naira redesign policy by the CBN.

The governors and 16 others of their colleagues across party lines who later joined the suit argued that the way the CBN rolled out the policy, which they do not oppose, will work unimaginable hardship on the Nigerian citizenry, as later proved to be the case.

EXCERPTS OF THE EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF THE STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE KOGI STATE GOVERNMENT HELD ON FRIDAY 29TH OF JULY, 2022 AT THE EXCO CHAMBERS OF THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, LOKOJA

The meeting which was presided over by the chairman of the Council and governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Yahaya Bello had in attendance, the Vice Chairman of the council and Deputy Governor, His Excellency Edward Onoja, the Secretary to the State Government, Head of the Civil Service, Honourable Commissioners and other members of the council.

During the business of the EXCO, council inaugurated the new Commissioners who were earlier cleared by the Kogi State House of Assembly after receiving the lists of the appointees from the governor.

The Commissioners and their portfolios are:

*Dr Zakari Usman, Commissioner for Health

*Engr Muhammed Abdulmutalib, commissioner for Rural and Energy Development

*Hon Kingsley Femi Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communication

The governor after oaths taking by the commissioners charged the newly inaugurated members of the state’s executive council to work assiduously in making sure they give good account of themselves in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The governor counseled the commissioners to acquit themselves with his administration’s blueprint and the New Direction governance policy which placed unity at the top of its agenda. Bello admonished the newly inaugurated commissioners to carry their people along, give back to their constituencies when opportunities allowed, and work harmoniously with every members of the New Direction team for maximum results.

ONOGWU Muhammed

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

29/07/2022

The Savannah Centre For Diplomacy Democracy and Development has once again expressed its appreciation to the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello over the passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill into law.

Sir. Bola Abimbola, Senior Program Manager, SCDDD made the disclosure at a context analysis and close out meeting of steering Committee on signing and gazeetting of Kogi State Violence Against Persons Prohibition VAPP Law, held at Golden Grand Royale Hotel Lokoja, Kogi State.

Sir. Abimbola said the swift manner the bill was finally signed has once again proven that Gov. Yahaya Bello has the people at heart, expressed the appreciation of SCDDD to all the State government actors that contributed to making the bill see the light of the day.

The Senior Program Manager paid glowing tributes to the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Mrs Folashade Ayoade Arike, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and others who worked silently to make the passage of the bill scale through.

Sir. Abimbola thanked other Organisations like USAID, ActionAid Nigeria that supported the project before Savannah Centre came into the scene, attributed the passage to collective working together by the people towards making the society violent free.

While he expressed his gratitude to Challenged Parenthood Initiatives, lauded the Steering Committee for the implementation of the bill, said the operationalization of the bill now remains the priority.

He urged the steering committee members to see to the task ahead of the operationalization as very necessary and surmountable, said if the team worked together Iike they did as steering committee members, it would ensure the successful implementation of the law in the State using the fact sheets and other support Savannah Centre would be making available.

Earlier in a presentation through zoom, David Gatare, Chief of Party, Community Initiatives to promote peace,

David Gatare, thanked the Kogi Govt and other stakeholders for making the VAPP Law come into place, urged the steering committee to see the reward for hardwork as more work in the operationalization of the bill in the State.

The administration of Governor Yahaya Bello has made sure Kogi State remains one of the safest states in Nigeria, thereby attracting several people, groups to explore the calm atmosphere of the Confluence city.

Below is a video of bikers having fun, exploring the road networks in Kogi state.

GYB is indeed Doing-More…

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The inspection of projects across kogi state continues, as the governor moves to Kabba local government area for physical M&E.

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