27.09.2023
BREAKING NEWS;
THE KOGI STATE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE MINISTRY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND CHIEFTAINCY AFFAIRS, HAS GRADED AND UPGRADED A TOTAL NUMBER OF THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY ONE (351) TRADITIONAL STOOLS ACROSS THE TWENTY-ONE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF THE STATE AS DETAILED BELOW.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE TRADITIONAL RULERS AFFECTED.
.
.
GOVERNOR YAHAYA BELLO BEGINS PALLIATIVE DISTRIBUTION, DECLARES FREE EDUCATION FROM PRIMARY TO SECONDARY SCHOOL
Kogi State Governor, His Excellency, Yahaya Bello, CON, on Thursday, flagged off the distribution of the Federal Government’s palliatives in the state.
Governor Bello, who commended the Federal Government’s efforts at mitigating the impact of fuel subsidy removal on citizens, said the palliatives, which were valued well in excess of N2bn, would reach intended beneficiaries regardless of political, religious, or ethnic affiliations.
.
He extended his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the well-conceived idea, saying,
“You are aware that all the local government areas of the state have already commenced the distribution of rice and other essential items. Therefore, this launch is essentially an extension of our ongoing efforts to cushion the impact of the current policy on our citizens.
“We are not only distributing rice but also making cash available to reach the people. The total value of what we are launching for distribution today exceeds N2 billion, and it is intended to reach every household in Kogi State. We have decentralised the distribution to ensure that every household benefits.”
.
“Everyone is expected to benefit from this initiative, regardless of their political, religious, or ethnic affiliations, including security personnel,” the governor stated.
Governor Bello emphasised that those responsible for the distribution must not discriminate, warning that any report of bias or favoritism/hoarding would be dealt with accordingly.
He also called on security agencies to ensure a peaceful and smooth distribution process.
.
Additionally, he assured the people that more initiatives to alleviate hardship were in place.
He said his administration had declared free education from primary to secondary school in the state and would cover examination fees for WAEC, NECO, and JAMB for all indigenes of Kogi State.
Governor Bello commended the people of the state for their support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the New Direction administration in Kogi State.
He reaffirmed the commitment of government at all levels to prioritising the welfare of the citizens.
.
Furthermore, Governor Bello mentioned the various infrastructure developments taking place across the state and expressed confidence that the governorship candidate of the APC, Usman Ododo, when elected as his successor, would continue to build on the current achievements.
The Governor was accompanied by his deputy, Chief Edward Onoja, and other top government officials.
ONOGWU Muhammed
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
September 21, 2023
.
.
.
Kogi 2023: Gov Bello inaugurates State Campaign Council, urges members to focus on issues, administration’s many achievements
. Shun ethnic agenda, DG, Audu, urges Igala indigenes
The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has charged members of the All Progressives Congress’ governorship campaign council to base their campaign on issues and performance of the current administration.
.
The Director General of the campaign council, and Minister of and Steel Development, Prince Shaibu Abubakar Audu, charged Igala people to shun ethnic agenda that would not bring about development in the state.
.
.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Kogi State APC governorship campaign council on Tuesday at the Government House in Lokoja, Governor Bello called on the campaign council not to preach ethnicity or religion but base their campaign on what the government had achieved in the last eight years and the ability of the governorship candidate, Usman Ododo, to build effectively on the current administration’s successes.
He urged members and supporters of the party not to join issues with others who do not have anything to offer in terms of adding value to the state and its inhabitants.
.
“Forget about liars, whose stock in trade is thuggery with nothing to offer. Go out there and preach what we have on ground in terms of infrastructure, not about ethnicity. Kogi State belongs to all of us. I have always said that Kogi State has the potential to be great if only we stop playing politics of ethnicity.
“I want all of you to go and work for the success of the party and you will be adequately rewarded.”
In his remarks, the Director General of the campaign council said his late father and former governor of the state had never believed in ethnic agenda, but had vision for the growth and development of the state.
.
He noted that in the last eight years, Governor Yahaya Bello had demonstrated his father’s vision for the state through appointments, distribution and execution of projects across the three senatorial districts of the state without any iota of bias or sentiment.
“My father had a pan Kogi vision and was never a leader that focused on Kogi East.
“Any agenda that focuses on a particular senatorial district instead of Kogi State would not bring about justice, equity and development. We know that Igala people are agitating for return of power to the East but it must be discussed and resolved because power can never be taken with force.”
.
.
ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY THE MINISTER OF STEEL, PRINCE SHAIBU ABUBAKAR AUDU AS DG, APC CAMPAIGN COUNCIL FOR KOGI 2023 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION
Today marked a momentous occasion in my political journey as I received the tremendous honor of being appointed as the Director General for the Ododo/ Joel Gubernatorial Campaign Council by the esteemed All Progressives Congress (APC).
This appointment carries with it a weighty responsibility, one that I humbly accept with utmost dedication and enthusiasm.
As we stand on the threshold of a critical election, scheduled for November 11, 2023, I am fully aware of the significance of our mission.
Our primary objective is crystal clear: to secure a resounding victory for our beloved party, the APC. To achieve this, we are ready to roll up our sleeves, leave no stone unturned, and commit ourselves wholeheartedly to the task at hand.
This campaign is not just about politics; it’s about the people we represent and their aspirations for a better future. We will strive to connect with every citizen in the Ododo/Joel constituency, listening to their concerns, and crafting policies that truly reflect their needs and desires.
Our campaign team is comprised of dedicated and passionate individuals who share a common vision of progress, development, and prosperity for our region.
Together, we will harness our collective strengths, expertise, and unwavering commitment to steer the course towards success.
In the coming months, we will embark on a journey that demands resilience, creativity, and unity.
We will engage in constructive dialogue with the electorate, present our well-thought-out policies, and work tirelessly to earn their trust and support.
I am profoundly grateful to the APC for entrusting me with this pivotal role, and I promise to honor this trust by giving my all to this campaign. With the support of our party members, volunteers, and the good people of Ododo/Joel, I am confident that together, we can achieve victory on November 11, 2023, and bring about the positive change our constituency so rightly deserves.
Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu
Honourable Minister of Steel Development & Director General, @Prince Shaibu Audu
Ododo/Joel Kogi Governorship Campaign Council
2023.
Congratulations to all GYB corpers…
GOVERNOR BELLO APPROVES 100% INCREMENT IN CORPS MEMBERS’ ALLOWANCES
. SUPPORTS MEMBERS’ LOGISTICS WITH N37.7M
. TASKS THEM ON GOOD CONDUCT
The Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Yahaya Bello, CON, has approved 100 per cent increment in the allowance of members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed to Kogi State for their mandatory one-year service.
.
The Governor approved the raise considering the current economic realities and the overall importance of the NYSC scheme to national and state development.
He spoke during the closing ceremony of the 2023 Batch ‘B’ Stream 2 of the NYSC at the State’s Orientation Camp, Asanya, in Kabba Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, on Tuesday.
.
The Governor also announced a donation of N37.7 million as logistics support for the Youth Corps members as they move to their respective places of primary assignments and called on private sector employers to prioritise their welfare.
He charged the Corps members to be of good behaviour and encouraged them to embrace the spirit of ‘One Nigeria’ and treat all citizens as fellow Nigerians, transcending ethnic and religious boundaries.
.
He urged them to demonstrate diligence, hard work, commitment, and understanding throughout their service years, as these qualities would prepare them to overcome challenges after completing their service period.
Governor Bello commended the State Coordinator of the NYSC, Pastor (Mrs) Adebimpe Williams, for the camp’s overall infrastructure improvement and assured that other developmental requests would receive due attention.
.
The State’s Coordinator of the scheme, Pastor (Mrs) Adebimpe Williams, and the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon Idris Musa, commended Governor Yahaya Bello for his administration’s longstanding support for the program.
.
Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, CON, extends his warmest congratulations to Arc Yomi Awoniyi, our esteemed former Deputy Governor, as he marks another milestone in his life today, September 4, 2023.
The Governor recognizes Arc Yomi Awoniyi as a dedicated and visionary leader whose contributions to the development of Kogi State and the nation have left an indelible mark. His unwavering commitment to public service and the welfare of his constituency’s people has set an exemplary standard.
During his tenure as Deputy Governor, Arc Yomi Awoniyi played a pivotal role in supporting the then Governor in shaping the policies and initiatives that propelled our state forward.
Governor Bello acknowledges that beyond our state’s borders, Arc Yomi Awoniyi’s influence has extended to the national stage. His advocacy for good governance, social justice, and the well-being of the people has earned him the respect and admiration of many.
As family, friends, and associates of Awoniyi celebrate this special day in the life of a remarkable statesman, the Governor expresses his gratitude for his selfless service and dedication to the betterment of our society. He says Arc Yomi Awoniyi’s legacy of respect, diligence, and commitment continues to inspire young leaders to work tirelessly for the progress and unity of our great state and nation.
The Governor joins the people on this special day in celebrating Arc Yomi Awoniyi’s accomplishments and wishes him good health, happiness, and continued success in all his endeavors.
Architect Yomi Awoniyi was born into the family of late Pa Sunday Awoniyi on September 4, 1960. He was the deputy governor of Kogi State between 2011 and 2015.
ONOGWU Muhammed
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
September 4, 2023
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT,
KOGI STATE
PRESS RELEASE
Kogi State Governor, His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Bello, CON has approved the appointment of Yahaya Ade Ismail as the Commissioner for Special Duties. This appointment underscores Governor Bello’s dedication to recognizing exceptional individuals who have demonstrated unwavering commitment and service to our beloved State.
Yahaya Ade Ismail, who has previously served as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Water Resources, has consistently shown outstanding dedication and an impressive track record of service. His deep-rooted commitment to the progress of Kogi State has earned him this esteemed recognition.
It is important to note that the appointment of Yahaya Ade Ismail as Commissioner for Special Duties is currently pending confirmation by the State House of Assembly. This process aligns with established procedures, ensuring that the selection is carried out in a transparent and accountable manner.
The Governor firmly believes that Yahaya Ade Ismail’s extensive experience and insights will greatly contribute to the advancement of our State’s development objectives.
Mrs Ayoade Folashade Arike, PhD, Secretary to the Government of Kogi State.
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR YAHAYA BELLO OF KOGI STATE ON THE 32ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE CREATION OF KOGI STATE BEING SUNDAY, THE 27TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2023
Protocols.
My great people of Kogi State,
I address you today with a heart that is brimming with pride and hope as we celebrate the 32nd Anniversary of the creation of our beloved Kogi State. This historic occasion is a day of remembrance and recommitment toward progress, even as we pause again to reflect upon our journey, our achievements, and our dreams for the future.
Kogi State emerged as an entity from parts of Benue, Niger, and Kwara States on the 27th day of August, 1991 full of the promise and possibility of a new era for our people. Since that day, we have come a long way. In the process we have overcome challenges and though our history has been chequered, we have continued to journey towards a stronger and more vibrant Kogi State.
On this Anniversary, I have decided to reference my own contributions as a leader over the 8 years of my tenure which began on 27th of January, 2016 and will round off, by the grace of God Almighty alone, on the same day next year 2024. As for my predecessors, it suffices to say that their times in office, including their triumphs and failures, all contribute to the land and people we have become and are becoming as we march resolutely towards the greater future that we dream of. I salute each and everyone of them and do thank them sincerely, on behalf of all of us, for their services – such as it may have been.
Throughout my tenure as Governor, my commitment to the New Direction Blueprint has been the major driver of our actions and decisions. This policy plan has served us well as our guiding light, leading us towards the accelerated and proportional development we envisaged from inception across all constituencies in our State.
In education, health, infrastructure, youth empowerment, civil service reform, security, agriculture, and more, we have taken remarkable strides that are both visible and impactful today – even to the worst naysayer or skeptic. We have been able to do so much irrespective of the back to back years of financial underdelivery which has characterized our tenure from start to finish.
Our advances have been made possible because of our determination to display both astuteness and probity in Public Financial Management. We have diligently reformed our budgeting, procurement, debt management, revenue generation systems, and more. It is no longer news that our commitment to financial transparency and accountability has earned us the top position among Nigerian states in the World Bank’s States’ Financial Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS) index, time and again.
In a nutshell, our success in leadership and governance has been meticulously planned and executed, and it is with the same intentionality that we embarked on the creation of the Kogi State 32-Year Development Plan earlier in the year. This plan will project our developmental aspirations for the next three decades, outlining both the short-term objectives that will derive from it and the longer term aspirations that we must pursue. Just as Alan Lakein once said, “Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.”
Our vision is clear: to provide a ready Blueprint for our future leadership to continue developing Kogi State into Nigeria’s foremost and most secure emerging commercial hub, leveraging our geographical location, natural endowments, and human resources for a sustainable future. This envisions a functional sociopolity with self-sufficient economy, high standards of living and abundant socioeconomic opportunities that is sustained by industrialisation in an operational environment that promotes ease of doing business and climate-smart processes. We anticipate improved infrastructure, education, healthcare, security and agricultural advancements, with enhanced cooperation and integration amongst citizens.
Today, I look to that future with an urgent imperative to ensure that we do not fall into the hands of a leadership in our State after me that will ignore the needs of our people or of our State for good governance and proportional cum accelerated development that respects our great diversity.
In this regard, and as I round off my time in Office, I aim to ensure that Kogi State transitions into the hands of a successor that is committed to Continuity and Consolidation of the far-reaching legacies of our Administration and is able to keep providing our people with the empathetic, practical and transformational leadership that is so crucial the next stage of our development.
Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman is the candidate that we have selected and presented to Kogi State as the candidate for the 2023 Gubernatorial Elections and our preferred successor to the GYB years. He is well known for his humility and humanness, underlined by professionalism and strong leadership skills. I am confident in his ability to continue the upward trend in our growth graph established by our New Direction Administration and I solicit your support for him in the November 11 Kogi State Governorship Elections.
For the records, Kogi State is fully in support of recent hard decisions taken by the Administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to free Nigeria from some institutionalised practices with which ordinary Nigerians have been forced, for far too long, to subside their own despoliation at the hands of a rapacious few among the elite. I refer, of course, to the removal of the agelong fuel subsidy regime and the floating of the Naira.
The twin policies, though acutely necessary for freeing our people from the clutches of chronic Exploitation, have not been without labour pains. Indeed, their implementation have been quite hard on all Nigerians, including our people here in Kogi State. In response, the Federal Government has laid out a scheme of palliatives to cushion some of the painful impact. Let me assure us that here in Kogi State your Government is putting finishing touches to your own basket of palliatives and will soon deliver them to your doorsteps. These are hard times, but we promise to be with you every step of the way.
In closing, let us remember that any success we have seen as a state since we became one of the Federating units in the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not the work of a single individual or administration, but the collective effort of every Kogite. I thank you all for your dedication to working together with us to achieve a brighter future for Kogi State that transcends all personal and clique interests.
May the Almighty God continue to bless our Kogi State, increase our greatness and comfort us on every side.
Thank you.
YAHAYA BELLO
Governor of Kogi State
Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello on Saturday attended the coronation of the Akinrin of Ekinrin Ade, Oba Johnson Kolade-Otitoju where he re affirmed his respect for the traditional institution in the state and particularly Ekirin-Ade, a community he described as peaceful and courageous.
The governor at the occasion also directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Deedat Ozigi to immediately commence the process of upgrading the stool of the Oba of Ekirin-Ade to a first class status noting that for fairness, justice and equity which his government represents, the community deserved such recognition.
.
Governor Bello congratulated the newly coronated traditional ruler, who he recalled to be a pioneer teacher at Abdul-Azeez Atta Memorial College, Okene describing him as a disciplinarian while also attesting that the Royal Father have lived a fulfilled life with point of reference to successful wards the Oba has raised.
While assuring the Royal Father of continued support from the government, he noted that Ekirin-Ade would benefit from several of his administration’s plan for the traditional institution including the plan by the Ministry of LGA and chieftaincy Affairs to give traditional palaces a befitting appearance across the state.
The governor also used the occasion to congratulate Kogi West senatorial district whom he described as great lovers of education over the recent approval of the establishment of Kogi State University, Kabba. He also thanked the citizens for their efforts and cooperation towards the actualisation of this long desired aspiration by the people of the region.
.
He pointed out that his government was solely interested in ensuring that the people make progress and they feel the impact of good governance while he again appreciated the traditional institution for their support and encouragement which he noted has compelled his government to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
In his vote of thanks, Veteran journalist and son of the coronated traditional ruler, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju thanked the governor and his entourage for gracing the occasion to rejoice with the community and gift such a pleasant surprise of the stool upgrade.
He noted that the governor made the occasion a memorable one adding that his good deeds would continue to be remembered in the history of the state.
The Governor was accompanied to the event by the November 11 Gubernatorial Candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, his Chief of Staff, Pharm. Abdulkareem Jamiu, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Deedat Ozigi, State Accountant General, Alhaji Jubril Momoh as well as other top government functionaries.
.
The Kogi Governor, Alh. Yahaya Bello has charged Local Government Chairmen on the need to protect public infrastructure in their domain.
The Governor’s charge was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Kingsley Fanwo while briefing newsmen after Mondays Extraordinary State Executive Council Meeting in Lokoja.
The Governor was quoted to have expressed disappointment in the manner public infrastructure are vandalized by hoodlums, saying such will not be acceptable going forward.
“The vandalization of our broadcasting facilities at Ochaja is unfortunate and uncalled for. The Governor expressed disappointment over such wanton destruction and has charged Council Chairmen to beef up security around public infrastructure in their areas”, he said.
The Governor also charged law enforcement agencies to get to the root of the Ochaja Broadcasting Corporation vandalization with the aim of bringing the perpetrators to book, expressing confidence in law enforcement agents to apprehend the “enemies of the public “.
Fanwo said the State Governor also promised to set machineries in motion to ensure the station is back on air in the earliest possible time to continue to sensitize the Kogi East people.
It would be recalled that vandals numbering about 30 a few weeks ago stormed the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, OCHAJA, carting away generators and cables as well as components of the transmitters.
