The Manifesto
…

.

.

KOGI2023: GOVERNOR BELLO RECEIVES HON FALEKE, ASSURES APC MEMBERS EQUAL PARTICIPATION, REPRESENTATION
The Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Yahaya Bello, CON, has reaffirmed the fundamental principle of equal rights to participation and representation for all party members in Kogi State. This commitment was highlighted during his reception of Hon James Abiodun Faleke, the former deputy governorship candidate of the APC in the 2015 election and the current Chairman of the House Committee on Finance.
Governor Bello emphasized that within the APC, there exists a level playing field where every member has equal access to the numerous opportunities offered by the party. He underscored the absence of hierarchy or privilege when it comes to participation within the party.
.

Hon. Faleke arrived with a contingent of party members representing all three senatorial districts. This distinguished group included Prof Stephen Ocheni, former Minister of Labour and Productivity; Barrister Dangana Ocheja, the former senator representing Kogi East; Barrister Eke Maimuna Audu, daughter of the former governor of the state; and Hon Duro Meseko, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC.
Their visit was a clear demonstration of their readiness to actively engage in working and campaigning for the success of the party’s candidate, Ododo Ahmed Usman, in the November 11 governorship election.
Hon. Faleke explained that their decision to wholeheartedly support Ododo Ahmed Usman’s candidacy was reached following a meeting with other party members in Abuja. This meeting was in preparation for the official flag-off campaign ceremony of the APC in Kogi State.
.

He emphasized that their dedication to working for the ruling APC is motivated by the broader interests of both the state and the nation. Hon. Faleke assured that the All Progressives Congress is united and stronger than ever before.
This development reflects the APC members’ unwavering commitment to unity and their collective aspiration for victory in the forthcoming November 11 governorship election in Kogi State.
ONOGWU Muhammed
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
October 6, 2023
The Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Yahaya Bello, CON, made a significant visit to the office of the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory on Wednesday.
Governor Bello’s visit had a dual purpose: firstly, to extend his heartfelt congratulations to the minister on his well-deserved appointment, and secondly, to provide an update on the remarkable progress and developments in the field of education within Kogi State under his administration.
.

In a warm reception of the governor who was accompanied by Engr Aisha Bello, Prof Mamman expressed deep appreciation and commended the outstanding developmental achievements witnessed in Kogi State under Governor Bello’s leadership.
He emphasized that the governor’s remarkable efforts in the education sector had garnered significant recognition. Prof Mamman specifically praised the establishment of another state-owned university, the second within the span of Governor Bello’s seven-year administration.
Furthermore, he expressed admiration for the governor’s unwavering commitment to advancing the objectives of the All Progressives Congress Party, APC.
.

The minister gave assurance that both he and the entire ministry management were fully dedicated to realizing the education-related goals set by Mr. President for Nigeria. Prof Mamman expressed confidence in Mr. President’s capability to effect positive transformations, emphasizing that his ministry would spare no effort in supporting the administration to fulfill its educational mandate.
ONOGWU Muhammed
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
October 4, 2023
.

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has appointed 215 new aides.
They comprised 26 Special Advisers ,128 Senior Special Assistants, 51 Special Assistants and others .
The Secretary to the State Government ( SSG), Dr Folashade Ayoade, on Tuesday announced their appointments in a statement in Lokoja.
Ayoade said their appointments take effect from September 29, 2023.
Some of the newly appointed Special Advisers and their portfolios are James Modu Kaura (Steel Development); Siaka Ibrahim (Kogi State Indigenes in Diaspora); Nusa Yahaya (Local Government Matters Igbalamela/Odolu LGA); Abdulhai Yunusa (Local Government Matters, Ofu LGA); James Babatunde (Energy); Odoh Akowe (Political Education); Umar Isah Edibo (Mentoring); Oluwakayode Emmanuel (Girl Child Education); and Onu Salifu (Cultural Integration).
Others are Mohammed Attai Yusuf, Senior Special Assistant on Job Creation (Kogi East); Nuhu Isa Alifia (SSA, Human Capital Development II); Atule Amedu (Cooperatives II); Mumin Suleiman Ahmed (Road Maintenance); and Siaka Alih (Industrial Management), among others.
Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Yahaya Bello, CON, extends his warm congratulations to Ilebaye Odiniya, the winner of the Big Brother Naija Allstars Season reality television show.
The governor commends Ilebaye, a Criminology graduate from Salem University, Lokoja, as a true Trendsetter. He believes her victory unequivocally confirms her brilliance, unwavering perseverance, and commendable humility.
“I am delighted to congratulate one of our own in Kogi State, Ilebaye Odiniya, for emerging as the winner of the Big Brother Naija Allstars Season reality television show. Ilebaye, you are a Trendsetter who has excelled in both academic and social spheres, and this victory is a testament to your brilliance, intellect, and maturity. Your determination, resilience, and poise set you apart during the three months you spent in the house,” he expressed.
Governor Bello, while celebrating Ilebaye’s achievement, also commends the outstanding performance of Kogi youths in various academic and social endeavors. He recalls the global recognition received by another Kogi youth, Oluwabukolami Adeyemi, who emerged as the overall best performer in the 2022 Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge AS Level Examinations, earning her an overseas scholarship for further education.
The governor emphasizes that both Ilebaye and Oluwabukolami should serve as beacons of inspiration and motivation to other youths, not only in Kogi but across Nigeria.
Governor Bello reassures the citizens of the state that his administration remains committed to supporting and empowering the youth in their pursuit of legitimate aspirations. He affirms, “Our administration will continue to support and empower the youth through various initiatives aimed at fostering inclusion, job creation, and harnessing our natural youthful energy.”
He concludes by acknowledging Ilebaye as the face of a positive revolution in the history of African entertainment, not only for the youth of Kogi but for Nigeria, Africa, and the global community.
ONOGWU Muhammed
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
October 1, 2023
.
NIGERIA @63: Governor Bello Felicitates President Tinubu, Nigerians
The Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Yahaya Bello, CON, congratulates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the entire Nigerian populace on the auspicious occasion of the nation’s 63rd independence anniversary.
“Today, our beloved nation, Nigeria, marks 63 years since gaining independence from British colonial rule. For many Nigerians, especially those born after the Civil War, these 63 years have been characterized by cautious optimism in our quest for a functional nationhood.
“Nonetheless, amidst the ups and downs, it has also been 63 years of divine compassion and mercy from the Almighty God. For all these blessings, we are profoundly grateful.
“On this momentous occasion, I extend my heartfelt felicitations to our esteemed leader and the President of our great nation, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and to the resilient people of Nigeria who have unwaveringly believed in our nation’s diversity.”
Governor Bello also takes this opportunity to celebrate the people of Kogi State, acknowledging their unwavering support and commending their significant contributions to the state’s development over the years.
“Furthermore, I wish to commend all Kogites for a year marked by substantial translation of our Blueprint into tangible projects across various sectors. Many of these projects are now available for your benefit, while others are in the final stages, awaiting commissioning before year-end.
“To me, this is the essence of governance, and it aligns with the solemn promise I made during my first Inaugural Address in 2016: that all of Kogi’s resources will be harnessed for the betterment of all its people. Our accomplishments thus far shall not deter us from pursuing even more ambitious projects.
“We remain committed to doing more, much more, even between now and the handover to a worthy successor in 2024, whom we trust to uphold and accelerate the momentum of development we have set,” he notes.
Governor Bello urges the people to engage in introspection and prayers, emphasizing that, despite challenges, Kogi State has much to be thankful for on this 1st of October, 2023.
“While we acknowledge that we may not have reached our ultimate destination, it is evident that our great nation is steadily progressing towards prosperity and advancement. I commend the Federal Government for its unwavering commitment to economic policies that promote growth and its relentless efforts to enhance our infrastructure,” he adds.
Governor Bello reaffirms his administration’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents, especially during the election.
He urges citizens to uphold law and order, not only during the election but in the days that follow. The safety and security of lives and property remain paramount, and he calls on everyone to contribute to maintaining a peaceful environment where democracy can thrive.
Together, Governor Bello believes that Nigerians can continue building a stronger, more prosperous nation. Happy Independence Day.
ONOGWU Muhammed
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
30/09/2023
. Distributes over 8,000 school items to primary, secondary students
. Students, school teachers, community members laud kind gestures
Following her recent reconstruction and the inauguration of a cottage clinic, through her pet project, Hayat Foundation, the Wife of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Barr. Amina Oyiza Bello, on Tuesday, flagged off a three-day free medical outreach for Eika-Ohizenyi community in Okehi Local Government Area of the state.
The Foundation also distributed over 8, 000 educational items, including sandals, school uniforms, exercise books, writing materials and nursery play items to both primary and secondary school students.
.

Barr. Amina Bello noted that the foundation was poised to compliment efforts of the state government in rendering basic health care and quality educational services to individuals who lived in the remotest parts of the state and could be faced with minor medical issues as well as barriers of access to quality education.
The governor’s wife emphasised the need for those financially capable and in positions of authority to give back to the society and often think of ways through which others’ lives could be enhanced and made better.
She added that such people must be geared towards making impact on the people.
She acknowledged that being in the midst of her people provided the opportunity to listen directly to their plights, feel their pulse and be better positioned to ameliorate the hardship they might be facing.
The governor’s wife noted that the government of Kogi, under the leadership of Governor Bello, had demonstrated its interest in the health and education sectors of the state with the provision of relevant infrastructures and needed policies, while individuals could similarly add their quota.
.

She revealed that the cottage hospital in Eika-Ohizenyi, Okehi LGA, built in partnership with the World Bank, was the first among several other phases to emerge and that plans were already in the pipeline to replicate similar infrastructures even across the state in the very nearest future.
This, she said, would be with more focus on enhancing easy medical access to those at the local level, while she urged community members to take full advantage of this infrastructure and the medical personalities provided.
A member of the Hayat Foundation, Temitayo Gbela, hinted that the three-day free medical outreach was aimed at catering for the medical needs of over 300 people with a team comprising medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists and laboratory technicians.
The traditional ruler of the community who also was a beneficiary of the medical outreach, HRH Yusuf Isah Adoke, Oba-Oniya of Eika, asserted that such gesture would go a very long way to help the people have access to medical care at zero cost.
.

Another beneficiary and community member, Mr. Adava Abdulhakeem, expressed immense gratitude to the wife of the governor, for giving back to her locality and showing concern to their wellbeing.
Similarly, Hajia Hajara Usman another community member, thanked God almighty for giving the Wife of the governor the enablement to bring such medical program to their community, noting that they were so proud to call her one of theirs.
She prayed for more of God’s blessings, noting that although the community was not expecting the cottage hospital, but immediately it was inaugurated, they had begun to make the most of the facility.
In her visit to Al-Adabiyyah Group of schools, Eika Ohizenyi, Okehi LGA, where Hayat Foundation gave out educational materials to the students and gifts to the teachers, the governor’s wife urged the students to show kindness to their parents, siblings and fellow students.
.

She added that they must be good ambassadors of the school and their community as it was her desire that they would scale greater heights.
Students who received the kind gesture from the governor’s wife through her foundation expressed their gratitude for her benevolence.
Speaking on their behalf, the Head Boy of the school, Yakubu Abubakar, said the students were excited with their school’s new look, other benefits like the planned road rehabilitation, enlistment in SUBEB, their promised school bus and the educational materials given to them by the wife of the governor.
He added that many of the students would be better inspired to learn as the suitable environment and the materials needed had been provided.
The School’s Head Teacher, Mr. Lawal Ochiji Abdullahi, corroborated that within the short period of the inauguration of their school building, they had registered a large number of new intakes, indicating that many more unschooled children within the community and close neighbours would be interested in giving education a chance.
He pointed out that such a remarkable feat was made possible by the kind gesture of the Governor’s wife through her foundation.
.

.

.
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.
GOVERNOR BELLO COMMENDS HAYAT FOUNDATION FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Yahaya Bello, CON, expressed his heartfelt appreciation on Monday, particularly recognizing the initiator and founder of the Hayat Foundation, Barrister Amina Oyiza Bello, for her exceptional dedication in spearheading the reconstruction of a fully equipped clinic and school for the Eika-Ohizenyi community in Okehi Local Government Area.
.

Governor Bello officially inaugurated these significant projects, which were funded through his wife’s pet project, the Hayat Foundation. During this occasion, he challenged other privileged citizens, urging them to contribute their resources, regardless of the amount, to advance the development of their communities.
These noteworthy projects were unveiled to celebrate the 16th birthday of the Governor’s son, Hayatula Bello, in whose name the Hayat Foundation was established.
At the inaugural ceremony for the Eika-Ohizenyi community clinic and the Al-Dabiya Primary and Secondary School, both situated within the community, Governor Bello specifically praised the vision of the school’s founders. Initially conceived and operated as an Islamic school, it later expanded its offerings to encompass both Islamic and Western education.
.

In recognition of his wife’s efforts to improve the living conditions of her people through these initiatives, the Governor disclosed that the school would benefit from the State Government’s free education policy, which covers primary and secondary school students. Furthermore, the administration would assign teachers to address the school’s staffing needs and oversee the construction of an access road. Additionally, a school bus would be provided to facilitate academic activities.
Barrister Amina Bello, the Governor’s wife and founder of the Hayat Foundation, characterized these projects as a heartfelt homecoming for her. She emphasized that the clinic would offer three days of free medical care to community residents.
Barrister Bello encouraged Eika Ohizenyi community members to take advantage of the free Medical Outreach scheduled between Tuesday, September 26, and Thursday, September 28. She reassured the community that there were an ample number of medical professionals, pharmacists, nurses, medications, and consumables available for the three-day medical outreach which will address the immediate health needs of the people.
.

In her impassioned speech about her mission, Barrister Bello stressed the significance of her mantra, which revolves around making a positive impact on society. She praised the selflessness of her late mother-in-law and underscored the importance of individuals, regardless of their wealth or political affiliation, contributing positively to humanity, society, and their communities.
Barrister Amina Bello also extended recognition to Mallam Shittu, the founder of Al-Dabiya Primary and Secondary School, who arrived in the community in 1985. He established the school with a strong emphasis on religion and morals to positively influence the local youth. She further acknowledged Mallam Salihu Bello for introducing a western curriculum into the school’s teaching methods to prevent extremism. After the loss of the school’s original building, Hayat Foundation was honored to provide support for the construction of a new facility according to Barrister Bello.
.

Barr Amina Bello however, appealed to well-meaning individuals to give back to their communities. She emphasized that this contribution could manifest in various ways, including mentorship and other forms of community service, to collectively make society a better place for everyone.
.
