List of 2023 Special National Honours Award Receipts
Click the image below to read the full list of 2023 Special National Honours Award Receipts.
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Kogi APC primary: Bello commends party members for turnout, orderliness
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has commended members of the All Progressives Congress in the state for their large turnout and orderly conduct in the ongoing party gubernatorial primary election across the 239 wards of the state.
Bello gave the commendation at his Agasa Ward, Okene Local Government Area, where he spoke to journalists during the exercise.
He also commended voters for their peaceful conduct, attributing the large turnout of voters to the peaceful environment his administration created.
The governor urged them to vote for a candidate that believed in the ‘New Direction’ administration for continuity and sustainable development for the overall good of the state.
While also commending security agents for maintaining law and order, the governor, however, urged them to be civil in their approach.
“You can see the massive turnout of party members in this ward. These are financial members with an up-to-date financial commitment to our party in line with Article 9.3 (i) and (ii) of the APC Constitution.
“From the reports I received so far, the turnout is good all over the 239 wards in the 21 local government areas of the state,” Bello said.
According to reports, the results coming in show that Hon Usman Ahmed Ododo, the immediate past Auditor-General for Local Government is in the lead.
Easter Felicitation: Emulate Christ’s Sacrificial Life, Gov Bello Charges Christians
Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello has rejoiced with the Christian faithful on the occasion of the 2023 Easter celebration.
Bello who spoke in a special message on Friday through a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed congratulated the Christian faithful for the successful completion of the lent season which he noted was much-needed self-denial to pray for the peace of the country and wisdom for the leaders.
“I wish to rejoice with our Christian brothers and sisters all over the world on the auspicious occasion of the 2023 Easter celebrations. As we all know, Easter is marked by Christians as a joyous holiday because it represents the gratification of the prophecies and the revelation of God’s redemptive plan for the followers of Christ”.
While urging Nigerians to remain hopeful about the nation’s progress, Bello said Easter also signifies the celebration of the defeat of death and the hope for salvation.
“In immortalizing the Resurrection of Jesus, Easter also means the celebration of the defeat of death and the hope of salvation therefore, I urge all citizens to keep faith in our leaders with prayers for a greater Nigeria”, he said
The governor added that just as the death, and resurrection of Christ signified hope for mankind, there must be a renewal of hope for our nation in this season of great challenges.
He urged Christians to reflect on critical issues affecting the nation and to continue seeking the face of God Almighty for the country so that security, unity and peace will prevail in the overall national interest.
Governor Bello who noted that the 2023 general elections, which will usher in new breeds of leaders across the country by May 29 represent a watershed for Nigeria insisted that all citizens who participated effectively in the process of electing leaders into the various offices must also commit themselves to pray for the smooth transmission of government, growth and prosperity of the country.
While assuring the Christian faithful in Kogi state of the state’s commitment to a joyous celebration free of all hitches, he added that security operatives and other collaborating agencies are working together round-the-clock to checkmate crime and secure the lives and properties of citizens.
Governor Bello urged all Christians who observe the season to find strength and solace in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
2023: We’ve Perfected Yahaya Bello Presidency Masterplan, Youths Say
Youths in their number on Saturday, stormed Calabar, Cross River State, to sensitise others on Governor Yahaya Bello’s presidential ambition, reiterating that they are ready, no matter what happens among politicians, to install Bello as the next President.
The youths, from all over the country, especially South-East and South-South states, said, though they had over 20 million youths, with Permanent Voter’s Cards, already in the struggle for the actualisation of a Bello presidency in 2023, they would not stop educating more youths in a bid to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges.
The Coordinator, Rescue Nigeria Mission Project in the South-South, John Akainza, who led others to prevail on the Governor of Kogi State to declare his intention formally, promised him the unflinching and unconditional support of Nigerian youths for his ambition.
“We have been going from house to house, school to school, without you prompting us. I repeat that we are going to shock money politicians and show the world that we can install our own in Nigeria. Let the core politicians do their own. It will be the first time in the history of Nigeria that we will change the narrative.
“It is amazing how much everyone wants Governor Yahaya Bello to be there. People have seen how different he is from the pack. If Kogi State could turn around within such a short period, in all ramifications, including security, what else are we asking for?”
“I am glad to tell you that as of today, this is the only Governor that has been able to say it as it is even in the face of pressure. Everyone must strive to join in making history in our great country,” he added.
The South-West Coordinator of RENMISS, Bolanle Ninolowo, corroborated his colleague, saying, “On Yahaya Bello we stand. If there is any other youth singing another tune, we don’t understand that, and they are not part of us. This is the only candidate Nigerian youths have. He has demonstrated that our tomorrow is here in Kogi. We don’t want to be perpetual leaders of tomorrow but leaders of today.
“Voting him assures sound judgement across all sectors of the economy because his administration will be populated by fresh, intelligent, smart minds. Kogi is working today because of that. That is the only state where before the end of the year, their audited financial account is out, among other first feats.”
The Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kogi State, Abdulkareem Jamiu Asuku, who was invited as keynote speaker, commended the youths for taking it upon themselves to create a Nigeria of their dreams.
He thanked them for identifying the good works of his principal in Kogi, noting that he would not disappoint them.
“With the many challenges he met on the ground in the state, he has proved that it takes capacity and the required will to effect true change. That is exactly what he will do when he becomes President. Thank you all for identifying this and many more. I will take your message to His Excellency,” Asuku said.
Kogi governor, shield of APC, says Senate President
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, on Thursday, described the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, as the “shield” of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
According to a statement on Thursday, Lawan spoke during the inauguration of Senator Yakubu Oseni’s constituency projects across Kogi Central.
“The Governor of Kogi State, , Alhaji Yahaya Bello is the Shield of APC in Nigeria, and therefore he is the Sarkin Yaki of APC in Nigeria,” the Senate President was quoted as saying.
He also commended Oseni for being invaluable to the 9th Senate despite being a first term lawmaker, noting that he had gathered robust experience, which automatically placed him in vantage position to lead the sensitive Senate Committee on Information and Communication Technology/Cyber security, including membership of other committees.
He noted that the 600 capacity JAMB CBT centre facilitated by Oseni would have generational impacts on the teeming youths of Kogi Central who seek admission to schools of higher learning.
Bello had earlier highlighted the successes of APC in the state, just as he reaffirmed that his administration would not relent in supporting visionary leaders that could impact positively on the people in line with his party’s vision.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Edward Onoja, also noted that Oseni’s legacy projects across Kogi Central had been unprecedented.
In his response, Oseni commended the governor for supporting his dream to serve the people of Kogi Central as Senator, while emphasising that he would never act in a way that would jeopardise the confidence reposed in him.
Governor Bello present staff-of-office to Atta Igala, 104 others
It was an atmosphere of glitz and glamour in Idah, the traditional headquarters of the Igala Kingdom on Friday, 4th March as the Paramount ruler of the Kingdom, HRM Matthew Alaji Opaluwa was administered the oath of office and presented with the staff of office as the 28th Atta Igala, and President, Kogi State Council of Chiefs by the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
The epoch event which marked the begining of his rule over the Kingdom, witnessed the presence of the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Mohammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, an array of other traditional and political dignitaries from across the Nigeria.
Governor Bello in his charge to the Royal father urged him not to politicize his new position but serve in the good interest of the people as he leads with the fear of God, fairness and justice as the banner of his reign.
He added that the New Direction Government has brought sanity into the issues of emergence of traditional rulers and chiefs in the state which in previous time were huge source of scuffle and crisis through ensuring fairness and non interference in the selection and emergence to such position.
Similarly, on the 5th of March, Governor Yahaya Bello performed the official presentation of staff of office to 104 approved, graded and upgraded traditional rulers across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state at the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Center Lokoja where 31 first class, 30 Second Class and 43 third class received oath of office.
Yahaya Bello at the event advocated that traditional institution in the country must be consciously included as the fourth tier of government if the nation would enjoy absolute security, peace and tranquility.
He added that traditional rulers are revered as the custodian and owners of the land hence they are grasped with the knowledge of their respective terrain and can easily identify crime perpetrators if they are fully incorporated into the running of government’s affairs.
Bello asserted that his administration has achieved landmark feet in security due to the deliberate involvement of the traditional institution in the state who plays pivotal role in ensuring that criminals and criminality had no footing in their respective domain.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ozigi Deedat in his address opined that the large crowd and glamour of the events indicated clearly that the people of the state held traditional institution in high esteem while the administration has consistently placed premium on the welfare and making sure that they were effective, responsible and responsive.
The Commissioner charged the beneficiary traditional rulers to use their offices to maintain and sustain peace and security in their respective domain noting that Kogi state government under governor Bello’s leadership would continue to partner with them in this regard.
Representing the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Saad Abubakar iii, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Dr. Yahaya praised the state government for another milestone in the history of traditional institution in the state under the governor’s leadership. He noted that the gesture by the state government was a call to do more in their respective locality in ensuring that the peaceful momentum was sustained.
Governor Yahaya Bello Policy Highlights on Education
Education enables upward socioeconomic mobility and is a key to escaping poverty. The Governor Yahaya Bello led administration with the sole aim of making a major progress towards increasing access to education and school enrollment rates at all levels in Kogi State aligned his vision with the Sustainable Development Goals which is to ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning. The expected outcomes are to produce articulate and skilled manpower necessary for sustainable development and economic transformation of the State. The Government has remained true to this goal by meeting the sectorial needs through equitable access to appropriate Information, Communication Technology (ICT) skills, learning centers of excellence and life skill programs.
