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Tag: kogi

  • Kogi @31: Lawmaker congratulates Kogites, canvasses support for Tinubu/ Shettima

    Kogi @31: Lawmaker congratulates Kogites, canvasses support for Tinubu/ Shettima

    In commemoration of Kogi State’s 31st anniversary, the lawmaker representing the people of Yagba Federal Constituency has facilitated with the people and government of Kogi State and urged Kogites for continued peaceful coexistence as well as robust participation in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

    In his congratulatory message to the people of the state to mark the anniversary, Elder Leke Abejide stated that the confluence state has come a long way and that it has become a task for every member of the state to work for the state’s progress.

    The chairman of the House Committee on Customs also revealed that since the creation of Kogi state on August 27, 1991 by the administration of former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, the state has passed through thick and thin, adding that while the state has yet to reach its full potentials, it has made significant progress overtime.

    He further said that Kogi will be on the verge of rapid socioeconomic transformation in the coming years, noting that such transformation has already begun in the Yagba Federal Constituency and is expected to spread throughout the state and Nigeria at Large.

    Kogi, a North Central state blessed with abundant Mineral Resources, has had several leaders since its inception more than three decades ago. The state was first led by Military Officers Col. Danladi Zakari, Col. Bzigu Afakirya, Col. Paul Omeruo, and Col Augustine Aniebo, followee by Executive Governors which includes late Prince Abubakar Audu, former Governor Ibrahim Idris, former Governor Idris Wada, and the incumbent governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

    Abejide thanked all the great Leaders who have immensely contributed thier quota in the developmental strides of the state since inception. “While we are aware that so much more is left to be achieved, I assure Kogites that a Tinubu Presidency will attract more development to the Confluence state if voted in as President in the 2023 Elections,” he said.

    Kogi state, formed from parts of Kwara and Benue, is the most centrally located in Nigeria hosting the Confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue and shares borders with nine other states and the Federal Capital Territory. Kogi is a mini Nigeria with Several ethnic groups. The Ebira, Igala, and Okun (Yoruba) make up the majority of the state’s population. Bassa Kwomu, Bassa Nge, Oworo, Nupe, Ogori, Egbura Koto, and Kakanda are among the smaller ethnic groups in the state known to be blessed with abundant human and natural resources, and fondly refered to as the Confluence of Opportunities.

    Hon. Leke is seeking re-election to the Green Chamber of the National Assembly for a 2nd term under the platform of ADC. The passionate supporter of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu the APC Presidential flagbearer, described Tinubu as his mentor who has all it takes to turn around the fortunes of Nigeria, just as he did for Lagos State.

    Abejide is the National Coordinator and Convener of the Asiwaju Confluence Campaign Organisation ACCO23 and has been working round the clock to mobilize support for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2023 General Elections.

    He is also a major political actor in North Central Nigeria and a well known philanthropist who have imparted the lives of the people before his election into the National Assembly in 2019. His performance on the floor and back home to his constituents is unmatched as he is described by many as a gift to this generation.

  • Man arrested over alleged kidnap and murder of his 15-year-old daughter

    Man arrested over alleged kidnap and murder of his 15-year-old daughter

    A father, who was alleged to have kidnapped and killed his 15-year-old daughter in Kogi State, has been arrested by the Kogi.

     

    Police Spokesman in the state, SP William Ovye-Aya, who confirmed the incident in Lokoja, said a friend of the girl’s father was also arrested.

     

    He said one other suspect has been declared wanted.

     

    According to the police Spokesman, the suspects work with the Federal Polytechnic Idah.

     

    “Miss Sherrifah was reportedly kidnapped on Aug. 4, at the family residence in Okenya along Itayi Street, Igalamela/Odolu Local Government area of Kogi.

     

    “The girl’s remains were only discovered a few days later, already mutilated and some parts missing,” he said.

     

    Ovye-Aya said investigation had commenced, including efforts to apprehend the third suspect, whose name was given as Adah.

     

    “The State Commissioner of Police (CP), Edward Egbuka has ordered for a thorough investigation into the case and manhunt for Adah, now at large.

     

    “In compliance with the CP’s order, the matter has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department in Lokoja,” he added.

     

    Ovye-Aya assured that the command would conduct a very thorough investigation into the matter to unravel the circumstances behind the girl’s death.

     

     

    In another development, gunmen have kidnapped the Deputy Registrar of Spiritan University Nneochi, Fr Chinedu Nwadike.

     

    Nwadike, a Catholic priest, was kidnapped on Friday on Umunnochi-Ihube road by the Enugu-Okigwe road.

     

    The priest was abducted alongside a seminarian, Emmanuel Nwafor.

     

    It gathered on Sunday that their abductors had established contact with their relations and placed N50m ransom on them.

     

    Nwadike is a native of Eziama in the Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State.

     

    A family source said, “Rev. Fr. Dr. Chinedu Nwadike, (Cssp), from Umuezeanoruo Eziama, Nkwerre LGA, Imo State and a young Seminarian, Emmanuel Nwafor (Pre Postulant), were on Friday, 12th August, 2022 kidnapped on their way to Enugu State, Umunnochi area, along Enugu-Okigwe Road.

     

    “Both are members of the Holy Ghost Congregation missionaries, living their lives of sacrifice and selflessness in service to a better society. He is currently the deputy registrar of SUN (Spiritan University Nneochi).”

     

    Another source said, “Fr Chinedu Nwadike was kidnapped Friday, August 12, 2022, at Nneochi area, shortly after driving out of the gate of his university, Spiritan University Nneochi (SUN), on his way to Enugu.

     

    “This is the second attempt to kidnap him in very recent time. In the first attempt, they shot directly at him but he managed to escape, but this time they succeeded and are said to be demanding a ransom of N50m. Curiously a military checkpoint is located around the place.”

     

    The priest’s younger brother, Chikezie, said that their family was praying for the self-return of his younger brother and the seminarian.

     

     

  • Bandits gun down three police officers, five vigilantes in Kogi

    Bandits gun down three police officers, five vigilantes in Kogi

    Unidentified gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed three police officers and five vigilantes in an ambush on Saturday in Ajaokuta, Kogi State.

    The killings occurred on Saturday when suspicious movements were reported at the Ajaokuta police station.

    An eyewitness revealed that the locals had reported at the Divisional Police Headquarters that some people were using their farms for criminal activities.

    The DPO immediately mobilised his men and some vigilantes with a view to repelling the impending attack.

    A source who pleaded anonymity, said that unknown to them, the hoodlums had laid ambush for them and opened fire on sighting the security personnel.

    He said that their corpses had been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja.

    Confirming the killings, the Kogi State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omadara (retd.), said the three police officers and five members of local vigilantes were killed in an ambush on Saturday.

    According to him, Divisional Police Officer, acting on an intelligence report that hoodlums had invaded their farm and engaged in illegal activities, mobilised officers in collaboration with men of local vigilantes and headed for the area.

    “They were, however, ambushed and in the process, eight of them were killed including three police officers and five members of the local vigilantes.”

    Omadara, however, said that no matter what, the state government would not rest until the culprits were brought to book.

    He said that the state government under Alhaji Yahaya Bello had assured the people of the state of adequate government protection as Saturday’s incident would not be allowed to repeat itself.

  • Lawmaker calls on Nigerians, Kogites to get their PVC before INEC 5Days deadline

    Lawmaker calls on Nigerians, Kogites to get their PVC before INEC 5Days deadline

    The lawmaker for Yagba Federal Federal Constituency, Kogi West, Elder Leke Abejide has urged Nigerians and the good people of Kogi State to move quickly and register for their permanent voters cards (PVC) with just five days left before INEC closes the registration.

    The House of Representatives member, who is also Chairman House Committee on Customs gave this indication while addressing Journalists and Pressmen on Tuesday 26th July 2022. He noted that the populace have now understood the fact that power have changed hands to the electorates, and that having their PVCs will allow them to cast their votes for the candidates of their choice in 2023 General Elections.

    The influential lawmaker seeking re-election under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for Yagba Federal Constituency Kogi State, is regarded as one of the most prominent figures in Kogi politics after winning his first election with the ADC party in a state where the All Progressive Congress is the dominant force.

    Elder Leke, who is also the convener of the Asiwaju Confluence Campaign Organization (ACCO23′), has completed a number of projects in his constituency and other Regions of Kogi West.
    Recall, the lawmaker made a humanitarian act that is thought to be the first of its type when he donated aid worth more than N500,000,000 (Five Hundred Million) to more than 2000 constituents in Yagba East, Yagba West, and Mopa Muro Federal district.

    He is the only National Assembly Member who has consistently paid WEAC fees for all his Constituents both in Public and Private Schools.

    According to reports, in recent time, his enormous accomplishments have persuaded numerous Kogites to defect to the ADC in solidarity for his excellent performance in the green Chamber.

    The lawmaker, urge all Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunity to register while praising INEC for making the process of registering and obtaining a PVC seamless.

    Hon. Leke is an apostle of one man one vote, and “a man of the people.”

  • 3 die, 2 injured as diesel tanker explodes in Kogi

    3 die, 2 injured as diesel tanker explodes in Kogi

    No fewer than 3 persons were burnt to death while 2 others were rescued with burns on Monday evening when a Diesel Tanker exploded in Kogi.

    Corps Commander Stephen Dawulung, Kogi Sector of the Federal Road Safely Corps (FRSC), who confirmed the incident in Lokoja, said it occurred at Felele quarters on the Lokoja-Kabba road around 8.17 p.m. of Monday.

    Dawulung said the ill-fated tanker conveying flammable material (diesel) bursted into flames after a crash which resulted to the death of three persons.

    “The fire of the crashed tanker resulted to the burning of two other trailers (articulated vehicles) and a Dyna Pick-up van on the road.

    “Three persons were burnt to death while two other victims were rescued with burns and rushed to Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja for medical attention and the corpse deposited at the motuary, ” the sector commander said.

    The FRSC Officer explained that the crash resulted from dangerous driving by the driver, who suddenly lost control, crashed and was totally burnt.

    Unfortunately, the Dyna Pick-up van that was parked by the road side and the two other vehicles were affected by the fire.

    At that point, traffic became standstill due to the magnitude of the fire until it subsided, making operatives of FRSC to conduct traffic control and cleared the hold-up.

    Dawulung, who described the incident as very unfortunate and sad, advised drivers of articulated vehicles, especially those carrying flammable substances, to always be cautious and drive within the regulated speed limit.

    “They (drivers) must also maintain all vehicle safety protocols like the use of safety valves to prevent spillage of content in the event of crash.”

    The commander, however, directed full investigation on the crash and sympathised with families of those who lost their lives in the incident.

  • Primaries: Any attempt to remove my name from ballot will lead to mayhem – Yahaya Bello threatens

    Primaries: Any attempt to remove my name from ballot will lead to mayhem – Yahaya Bello threatens

    Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has warned the All Progressives Congress, APC, after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari threatening that any attempt to remove his name from the ballot he would invoke mayhem.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the young Kogi governor saying excluding his name on the ballot in the party’s convention scheduled for today Tuesday June 7, 2022, to elect the party’s presidential flag bearer for the 2023 election will be a recipe for trouble.

    Governor Bello speaking to State House correspondents after meeting behind closed doors with the President, said that the APC will retain power at the center if only it plays by the rules.

    Yahaya Bello who is one of the 23 aspirants cleared to contest for the party,’s presidential ticket in the 2023 election; said there is a conspiracy against him, accusing the APC northern governors and some elite of gang-up.

    He described himself as a leading aspirant that would win overwhelmingly if the process is transparent and credible, adding that the only thing that could make him not contest the presidential primary is only if President Muhammadu Buhari tells him to step down.

    “Getting into the arena today, I will win overwhelmingly if the process is credible,” he said.

    The presidential aspirant said there was no need for him to be excluded in the primary, claiming that he represents the youths and the downtrodden.

    Bello said that the APC governors of northern extraction did not consult him when they took the resolution that power should shift to the south and that the resolution was not bidding on him.

    He reiterated his opposition to the rotational presidency, as he stated that it doesn’t give room for the emergence of a competent person to pilot the affairs of the country.

  • Assailants kill 3 police officers in Kogi

    Assailants kill 3 police officers in Kogi

    Assailants have launched an attack on Adavi police Divisional headquarters in the early hours of Saturday morning, in kogi state, living three police officers dead.

    The Kogi state Commissioner of Police, Mr Edward Egbuka, confirmed the unfortunate incident in a statement through his spokesman SP William Ovye-Aya, in Lokoja.

    He described the attack as callous and very painful.

    Egbuka explained that the three officers were killed in a gun duel with the assailants who took the officers on duty at the Adavi Division by surprise.

    “This early morning of Saturday, the Command received a report of an unfortunate incident at Adavi Police Division, where some hoodlums attacked the station.

    “They shot sporadically but were repelled by our men and operatives of the Quick Response Unit who were on special operations at Adavi Local Government Area.

    “Unfortunately, the Command lost three of its officers to the gun duel, while the hoodlums fled with gunshot wounds as they could not get access into the station.

    “Consequently, a team of tactical operatives was deployed and it swiftly restored normalcy to the area.

    “Operatives are trailing the hoodlums with a view to apprehending and bringing them to book,’’ Ovye-Aya quoted Egbuka as saying.

    Egbuka called on the people of Adavi and adjoining communities to be on the lookout and report anybody seen with bullet wounds to the police or to any security outpost nearest to them.

    The police commissioner sent his condolences to the families of the three fallen police officers, whom he said had done the police force proud.

  • Poisoned cows: Kogi gives 7 days off beef consumption in Lokoja

    Poisoned cows: Kogi gives 7 days off beef consumption in Lokoja

    The Kogi Government on Friday directed the burial of the carcasses of some of the 20 poisoned cows discovered on Wednesday in Lokoja.

    The government also directed residents of Lokoja to stay off consumption of beef for seven days so as not to fall victim to some of the poisoned meat allegedly already in the market.

    “What the government is able to bury today is a good number of the affected cows and not all of them,” an official said.

    The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kogi Command, Mr. Suleiman Mafara, spoke with NAN in Lokoja.

    “The Agro Rangers Unit of the command alongside the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as the Sanitation Board of the Ministry of Environment, have conducted a confirmatory test on the carcasses of the cows.

    “The test result showed that the carcasses contained poisonous content and thereby inedible and not fit for human consumption.

    “Consequently, the government is advising the residents of Kogi, particularly this within Lokoja, where the incident happened, to avoid consumption of cow meat in the next seven days,” he advised.

    Madara quickly assured the public that the men of the command and other security operatives were doing everything possible to calm any form of tension that might arise from the unfortunate development.

    He said that the command had sent out surveillance teams who were still maintaining peace in the environment as well as combatant officers in the event of any threat of reprisal attack to put the situation under control.

    Also speaking, the Head, Agro Rangers Unit of the NSCDC State Command, Mr. Bayode Emmanuel, said that the Butchers Association in the markets was carried along in the whole process of the investigation and examination of the carcasses to the burial of the cows.

    Emmanuel explained that the carcasses of the cows recovered were subjected to the prescribed standard of treatment before they were buried which was witnessed by all the relevant stakeholders.

    The Director of Veterinary Services, Kogi Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Salau Tarawa had on Thursday, advised to residents to shun cow meat for at least one week as the 20 cows might have ingested poisonous substances while grazing.

  • Buhari will not hold AK-47 to secure Nigeria – Yahaya Bello

    Buhari will not hold AK-47 to secure Nigeria – Yahaya Bello

    Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has said that President Muhammadu Buhari will not hold an AK-47 rifle to secure the nation.

    The governor said this while challenging all governors in Nigeria to take responsibility for security in their states amid the security challenges facing the country.

    Bello said he did not expect the President to secure Kogi as a governor and had put a lot in place to bring crime to almost zero in his state.

    He stated this on Friday in Abuja at his Second Annual GYB Seminar for Nigeria’s Political and Crime Editors and Correspondents.

    “I’m not a governor that will expect the President to secure my state,” Bello said.

    “I refused to politicize insecurity. Buhari is a man who loves truth and reality. I’ll let you know that the President loves this country.

    “This insecurity isn’t a thing of the President though we should not pass the buck because that is why we came on board. It’s a successive failure of various administrations.

    “The President will not sit in the Villa and hold an AK-47 to come and secure my schools and roads.

    “Some of these crimes that we see today are more than what we see on the surface. I will never come out here and point out the flaws. Whatever I observe, in terms of loopholes and lapses, it’s between myself and the President to let him know.

    “I will never be that governor who will come out and say that the President didn’t secure my schools and roads.”

  • Kogi Govt. rebukes PGF DG, Lukman on outburst against Yahaya Bello, Buni

    Kogi Govt. rebukes PGF DG, Lukman on outburst against Yahaya Bello, Buni

    Kogi Government has rebuked the former Director-General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Mr Salihu Lukman over his outbursts against the Gov. Yahaya Bello.

    The state also decried Lukman’s outburst against Gov. Mai Mala Buni, .APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) Chairman.

    Lukman had accused the party leadership of extortion from aspirants ahead of the APC March 26 National Convention and also asked that Bello be prevented from getting the presidential ticket of the party.

    The former PGF DG also alleged that Bello was yet to begin payment of N30,000 minimum wage as announced and that workers were earning 25 per cent of their salaries.

    Reacting in a statement on Tuesday signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the state government said Lukman’s allegations were baseless and untrue.

    Fanwo added that he should not “allow his exit as the Director-General of PGF, lead him to disparaging party leaders.”

    Similarly, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Kogi, Mr Onu Edoka, has confirmed that the state government had embarked on the payment of N30,000 minimum wage to its workers.

    Edoka said Bello’s administration had not been owing salaries or paying 25 per cent of salaries, contrary to Lukman and other naysayers’ claims.

    Edoka, in an interview with the media on Tuesday, said the minimum wage was only approved for the state’s civil servants on level 1 to 6, adding that “it is not true that workers earn 25 per cent of their salaries.

    Fanwo, in his statement, said, “The attention of the Kogi government has been drawn to the disparaging statements credited to a former employee of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), Salihu Lukman concerning the popular presidential ambition of Bello.

    “The unfounded allegations against the administration of Bello cannot sway the minds of Nigerians or party leaders.

    “But asking the party to prevent Bello, a leading presidential hopeful, from getting the party’s ticket, already stamps the fact that all eyes are on him to take the party to victory in the 2023 general elections, which everyone knows will be keenly contested.

    “We are not surprised at his recent outburst against key party leaders. He has proved himself to be a mole in APC with a mission to undermine it and ultimately hand advantage to the opposition.

    “We, however, want to assure him that no one has the monopoly of caustic statements. Bello has only refrained from dignifying detractors with responses, venom for venom, because of his sound upbringing.

    ”But Lukman should be ready to face the consequences of his actions as we will not leave any stone unturned to seek redress legally.

    “We will not watch him continue to rubbish the image of our dear party in the manner he has been doing.”“

    The state reiterated that Bello remained a key figure holding the APC together and had the support and endorsement of overwhelming majority of party faithful to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Lukman should wake up to the fact that his campaign of calumny will not wane the love APC and Nigerians have for Bello.

    “We find it needful to inform the public that the historic and audacious staff verification exercise undertaken by the Bello administration at inception did not only paint the payroll in the colours of integrity and transparency, but also ensured efficiency in the service.

    “Many unintended beneficiaries were removed and the state immediately ensured that 100 per cent salaries were paid to the civil servants.

    “It is instructive to note that the staff verification exercise was carried out with the full cooperation and deep involvement of labour unions who have always cooperated with the state government in its bid to reposition and strengthen the service.

    “Nigerians are adequately informed of the allocation shared during the last FAAC meeting. Many states have yet to pay their February salaries.”

    He pointed out that the internally generated revenue of Kogi wasn’t at the standard the administration had set as a result of economic downturn, owing to the energy crisis that hit the nation in February.

    “But as an administration that is committed to the welfare of its civil servants, the Kogi government sat with labour leaders and agreed to pay 75 cent.

    “It has since been paid with the full implementation of the minimum wage. This is against the lies peddled by Lukman that Kogi workers received 25 percentage of their old salaries.

    “Only civil servants on grade level seven and above received 75 per cent . Civil servants on Grade Level one to six received 100 per cent salary with the 30,000 minimum wage.

    “The governor and all political office holders also received 75 per cent in solidarity with our workforce. To us, this is responsible and responsive leadership.”

    He reiterated the commitment of Bello’s administration to the welfare of the workforce and that no amount of lies sponsored would prevent the governor from answering the popular call by Nigerian masses to serve the nation in the presidential capacity.

    Similarly, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Kogi, Mr Onu Edoka, has confirmed that the state government had embarked on the payment of N30,000 minimum wage to its workers.

    Edoka said Bello’s administration had not been owing salaries or paying 25 per cent of salaries, contrary to Lukman and other naysayers’ claims.

    Edoka, in an interview with the media on Tuesday, said the minimum wage was only approved for the state’s civil servants on level 1 to 6, adding that “it is not true that workers earn 25 per cent of their salaries.”