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Tag: Yahaya Bello

  • COVID-19: Defiant Yahaya Bello threatens to sue Buhari’s PTF, NCDC for de-marketing Kogi, scaring away investors

    COVID-19: Defiant Yahaya Bello threatens to sue Buhari’s PTF, NCDC for de-marketing Kogi, scaring away investors

    The Kogi State Government has threatened to sue the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Presidential Task Force, PTF on COVID-19 for declaring the state high risk COVID-19 state.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 had on Monday declared Kogi a high-risk state for refusing to acknowledge the existence of the disease.

    The PTF also said that the Kogi government had failed to report testing, lacked isolation centers and therefore warned Nigerians to be weary of visiting the state.

    TNG reports that the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has not hidden his disbelieve in the pandemic since in broke out in Nigeria. The governor recently in a viral video said COVID-19 vaccine is a killer.

    However, in a swift reaction, Kingsley Fanwo, the Kogi Commissioner for Information and Communication declared the intention of the state government to sue PTF-COVID-19 in Lokoja on Wednesday over what he described as an attempt to de-market the state and inflict the citizens with fear.

    The State Government accused PTF-COVID-19 of failing in an earlier effort to import Covid-19 into Kogi and as such, has now resorted into creating panic.

    Fanwo said the claim by NCDC and the Task Force was directed at de-marketing the state by scaring investors away and ultimately, crippling Kogi economy.

    “We very much believe their intent was to ensure in­vestors are scared from com­ing to the state. Despite their unreliable figures, Kogi emerged the in­vestment destination of Nigeria in the last quarter of 2020.

    “They felt embarrassed and the best way to hit back is to create a picture of health crisis in the state.”

    On efforts being made by the state government to fight the disease, Fanwo claimed Kogi was the first to procure thousands of face masks which it distributed free of charge to residents of the state.

    He also claimed Kogi State had done more sensitisation on the disease than other states in the country.

    “We were the first state to procure face masks in thou­sands and distribute to all the LGAs. We were the first state to set up a Squadron Team to combat the spread of the pandemic. We set up isolation centres with state-of-the-art equipment.

  • COVID-19: PTF declares Yahaya Bello’s Kogi high risk state, warns Nigerians not to visit

    COVID-19: PTF declares Yahaya Bello’s Kogi high risk state, warns Nigerians not to visit

    The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has declared Kogi a high-risk state for refusing to acknowledge the existence of the disease.

    The PTF also said that the Kogi government had failed to report testing, lacked isolation centers and therefore warned Nigerians to be weary of visiting the state.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has not hidden his disbelieve in the pandemic since in broke out in Nigeria. The governor recently in a viral video said COVID-19 vaccine is a killer.

    It said having analysed the pandemic in the country, 22 high burdened Local Government Areas within 13 states in the country had been identified.

    The National Incident Manager (NIM) of the PTF COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Mukhtar Muhammad, said this on Monday in Abuja, during the PTF briefing on COVID-19.

    Muhammad said: “In addition to these, we have states where data is not coming forth. If we don’t test, your data will not be analysed and if your data is not analysed, we won’t know the level of the pandemic in your state.

    “Notable among the states are Yobe, Jigawa, Zamfara and Kebbi and of course Kogi that has not been reporting at all.

    “States that are not testing are probably at much more higher risk than the states that are currently known as high burdened states.

    “A state that is not testing at all is an absolute high risk for Nigerians to visit because, there is no testing facility and even if you fall sick, there is no isolation center and they don’t even acknowledge that the disease exists. So for that reason, we put that state at the top of high risk states.”

    According to Mohammed, the 22 high burdened local government areas within 13 states in the country, mostly in the cities of the state capitals contributed over 95 per cent of new cases recorded in the last six weeks.

    He listed the states and local governments as Nkanu West (Enugu); Abuja Municipal (FCT); Gwagwalada FCT; Gombe (Gombe); Chikun (Kaduna); Kaduna North; Kaduna South; Nassarawa (Kano); Katsina (Katsina); Ilorin South (Kwara); Ilorin West (Kwara); Eti-Osa (Lagos); Ikeja (Lagos); Kosofe (Lagos); Lagos Mainland (Lagos); Keffi (Nasarawa); (Lafia) Nasarawa; Ibadan North (Oyo); Jos North (Plateau); Jos South (Plateau); Port-Harcourt (Rivers); and Wamako (Sokoto).

    He said the PTF was working currently to provide support to various states through their task forces towards contextualising and implementing the regulation signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “As mentioned earlier, the regulation covers places of worship, public transport, banks, workplaces, sports and so on and so forth,” he said.

    The notable features of the regulations include “Restrictions on gatherings, mandatory wearing of face masks in public and above all the powers of prosecution by law enforcement agencies.

    “We expect governments, institutions, owners of private buildings and other regulators to enforce these regulations. For example, putting a notice of no mask no entry or no mask no service to enlighten users of their services.

    “Pertinent strategies will be adopted and they will include mobile courts on strategic locations such as markets, motor parks and it is expected that every law enforcement agency will monitor complaints or their staff within which they supervise.

    “We are providing advisory to the states to develop community engagement strategy and risk communication strategies to sensitise the public on compliance to these regulations and to promote behavioural changes.

    “Last week, we started with the FCT, where we had a very fruitful meeting with the Minister and the stakeholders of the FCT. We are currently developing the implementation plan and the timeline for which the FCT Taskforce will commence operations all over the FCT,” he said.

  • Killer COVID-19 vaccines claim: Yahaya Bello risking lives of Kogi residents – Fayemi

    Killer COVID-19 vaccines claim: Yahaya Bello risking lives of Kogi residents – Fayemi

    Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Governor Kayode Fayemi, has urged the governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello to tread with care, following his recent statement suggesting that the COVID-19 vaccines are being introduced to kill the masses.

    Governor Bello had in a recent address said that the COVID-19 vaccines being produced in less than one year are used to introduce new diseases that will kill many.

    Reacting to Bello’s claim, Governor Fayemi appealed to his Kogi counterpart, urging him not to risk the lives of the citizens.

    The Ekiti State Governor who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday said while the Kogi State Governor has a right to his reservations, the most appropriate to respond to a matter of such import is not to be dismissive.

    Fayemi said the preponderance at the level of the Nigerian Governors Forum believes that COVID-19 is real, adding that there is a need to respond to the challenges that have emanated from the pandemic.

    The governor who says COVID-19 is not just a health issue said it behooves public office holders to work in concert with the Federal Government to get to the bottom of the problem which is not peculiar to Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the NGF had also Thursday distanced themselves from the Kogi Governor’s unscientific claims on both the virus and the vaccines.

  • BREAKING: Governors disown Yahaya Bello on ‘killer’ COVID-19 vaccine claim

    BREAKING: Governors disown Yahaya Bello on ‘killer’ COVID-19 vaccine claim

    Members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have dissociated themselves from the reported claim by Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello that coronavirus vaccines are meant to kill.

    The NGF, in a communiqué at the end of its virtual meeting on Wednesday, said: “On the ill-fated pronouncement made by a member of the forum regarding the Covid-19 vaccine in a national daily, the forum totally and categorically dissociated itself from the statement.”

    The NGF said it “will continue to be informed and guided by science and will ensure that every decision it takes retains public and professional trust and is not compromised by conflicts of interest..

    Details shortly…

  • COVID-19 vaccine is a killer, says Gov. Yahaya Bello

    COVID-19 vaccine is a killer, says Gov. Yahaya Bello

    Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has condemned the use of COVID-19 vaccine, while describing it as a killer.

    Mr Bello, whose supporters are urging to vie for the presidential seat in 2023, has been pushing a conspiracy theory about COVID-19 since last year.

    In a viral video, the Kogi governor condemned the use of the vaccine, saying it is meant to kill people.

    Speaking while addressing a crowd, Bello doubted the authenticity of the vaccine, saying there is no cure for HIV and many other diseases troubling mankind.

    “Vaccines are being produced in less than one year of COVID-19. There is no vaccine yet for HIV, malaria, cancer, headache and for several other diseases that are killing us. They want to use the (COVID-19) vaccines to introduce the disease that will kill you and us. God forbid,” he said.

    “We should draw our minds back to what happened in Kano during the Pfizer polio vaccines that crippled and killed our children. We have learned our lessons.

    “If they say they are taking the vaccines in the public allow them take their vaccines. Don’t say I said you should not take it but if you want to take it open your eyes before you take the vaccines.”

    In his New Year broadcast, Bello said Kogi would not respond to the second wave of the virus with “mass hysteria”.

    COVID-19 vaccines are not expected in Nigeria until the end of January.

  • Yahaya Bello has agreed to contest for president in 2023 – Kogi Speaker

    Yahaya Bello has agreed to contest for president in 2023 – Kogi Speaker

    The Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Prince Mathew Kolewole, is canvassing for the support of legislators across the country for Gov. Yahaya Bello’s ambition to become the President of Nigeria in 2023.

    Kolawole stated this in Jos during a visit to the Speaker of the Plateau House of Assembly, Abok Ayuba and his colleagues to solicit for their support for Bello’s ambition.
    He was accompanied on the visit by his Deputy, Ahmed Mohammed, and other Kogi lawmakers.
    “Our mission in Plateau is to congratulate the Speaker, Plateau House of Assembly, Abok Ayuba on his election as the Chairman of North-Central zone of Speakers Conference of Nigeria.
    “We are also here to brief him and canvass support for his Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the Governor of Kogi State, who is the youngest governor in Nigeria to run for president come 2023.
    “In view of our relationship with our governor, as legislators, we have articulated all his achievements in the areas of security, women empowerment, youth inclusion in government, education and infrastructure development.
    “We have found him to be suitable as he has performed creditably well.
    “On this note, we decided on our own, to pass a vote of confidence on him and at the same time, pass a resolution that we want him to contest for the position of the President of Nigeria.
    “The youths of Nigeria are also putting pressure on him to contest for the position of the President of Nigeria and he has finally agreed,” he said.
    According to him, they brought the message to Plateau Assembly being one of that states that is controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
    The speaker said that they believed in the association of legislators in Nigeria which had about 998 members with over 600 of them being members of APC and automatic delegates of the party.
    In his remarks, Ayuba said that the Plateau lawmakers would support Bello if he set an example by granting Kogi State House of Assembly autonomy.
    He said that autonomy was one of the key things that the Speakers Conference of Nigeria had been fighting for its implementation.
    “As a young person, he should act differently and implement the autonomy so that others will follow.
    “Sincerely, the north-central should be included in the calculations of this country as it is most times left out.
    “We will tell them that we form one of the largest populations in the country and we should be considered this time,” he said.
    He assured the Kogi speaker that he would convey his message to the state lawmakers when they resumed from recess on Jan. 20.
    Ayuba further stated that Plateau would join hands with Kogi to get what rightly belonged to the north-central.
  • APC will become largest party in Africa, developed nations will learn politics from us – Gov. Bello

    APC will become largest party in Africa, developed nations will learn politics from us – Gov. Bello

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi says the All Progressives Congress (APC) will triple its membership ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    Bello, who is the chairman of the newly inaugurated APC Women and Youth Sensitisation and Mobilisation Committee for the membership registration and revalidation exercise, stated this on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Bello assured that the committee would move to the field immediately, adding that it would liaise with every stakeholder within the party and across its lines.

    He said the committee would create the desired awareness to ensure that it tripped the party’s present membership.

    The Kogi governor said the future of youths and women was in the APC, urging them to take advantage of the party’s membership registration and revalidation to join its fold.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his concern for all Nigerians, especially youths and women.

    According to Bello, APC will continue to win elections in the country and stand as a democratic model for other nations.

    “The APC will continue to win every election in this country, by the time we are done with the registration of new members and revalidation of existing ones in the country.

    “The APC will not just be the largest political party in Africa, but we are going to call on even the developed nations to come and learn from APC in Nigeria.

    “We shall even teach some of our brothers who have just concluded elections that were rancorous,” he said.

    Bello also commended Gov. Mai Mala Buni-led APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) for taking up the task of rebuilding the party and restoring peace, sanity and unity among its ranks.

    “We have always been saddled with the responsibility of carrying one assignment or the other for the party and we have always delivered on our mandate.

    “This is yet another one and by the grace of God, with the cooperation, understanding and the support of members of the party and Nigerians, we are very confident that we are going to deliver resoundingly once again,” he said.

    While inaugurating the committee, Gov. Buni said that APC was putting in place some strategic measures to properly reposition it ahead of 2023 general election.

    Buni said this was in addition to the APC’s reconciliation efforts which he said had continued to yield tremendous results for the party.

    “We are also embarking on this critical measure to breathe a new life into the party.

    “The Sensitisation and Mobilisation committee had a crucial and critical role to play in the membership registration and revalidation exercise which will commence soon,” Buni said.

    The Chairman of the APC CECPC said members of the committee were expected to mount rigorous sensitisation campaign to effectively mobilise every member of the party especially women and youth to either revalidate their membership or register afresh.

    He charged members of the committee not to leave any stone unturned, but to ensure effective mobilisation for every member to take advantage of the opportunity to register.

    Buni assured that the party’s leadership would provide the committee with the necessary support to ensure its success.

    “You are enjoined to work as a team to achieve the desired goal with ease and within the expected time frame.

    “The committee is hereby advised to liaise with all stakeholders in all the states to carry everyone on board for an all-inclusive programme,” he said.

    The committee, which has Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun as its Vice Chairman, has the APC Director of Organisation, Prof. Ussiju Medaner, as its secretary.

  • Governor Yahaya Bello bags gender equality award

    The National Council of Women Societies, also known by its acronym NCWS, is a Nigerian non-governmental and non-partisan women’s organization composed of a network of independent women organizations in Nigeria binding together to use NCWS’ platform to advocate gender welfare issues to the government and society.

    In collaboration with Global Gold Consult, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello has been nominated for the award of ‘THE MOST GENDER SENSITIVE GOVERNOR IN NIGERIA’ and will also be decorated as a ‘HE 4 SHE, of NIGERIA WOMEN, which bestows on him the honour of a Goodwill Ambassador.

    This nomination is in recognition of the purposeful and conscious effort of his Government to place women in sensitive and strategic positions in the governance structure of Kogi State.

    Notable achievements

    It is on record that the Governor is the only one amongst his colleagues with a female Aide de Camp (ADC) in Nigeria. The Secretary to the Government of the State and Head of Civil Service are women. He ensured that all the Vice Chairmen and Council Leaders in each of the 21 Local Government Areas are women. There are a minimum of three women as Councilors in each of the Local Government Areas.

    There are more than 70 women in positions of authority in the State which include but not limited to Director General, Managing Directors, Chairpersons of Board, Commissions and Agencies. Some are Commissioner, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Personal Assistants, and Special Assistants.

    The Government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello has gone far beyond the 35% affirmative action for women and has made Kogi State a pacesetter and a model in gender inclusiveness.

    The award presentation and decoration ceremony is to hold at an interactive dinner for women in leadership from Kogi State on 16th January, 2021 at the Glass House of Kogi State Government House, Lokoja by 6:00pm.

  • 2023: How Yahaya Bello will emerge as Nigeria’s president- Deputy

    2023: How Yahaya Bello will emerge as Nigeria’s president- Deputy

    Edward Onoja, the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, says God will help his boss, Governor Yahaya Bello, to actualize his ambition to emerge as Nigeria’s president in 2023.

    Bello who spoke in Ayingba town in response to an allegation that he made the Igala people to lose the governorship seat in the state’s 2019 gubernatorial poll.

    The Deputy Governor recalled that Bello emerged the governor of Kogi State in 2015 through the help of God and that the same God will give him the Presidency.

    Bello did not contest in the main Kogi governorship election held in November 2015.

    But he emerged governor after he was chosen as replacement for Abubakar Audu, the candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC in the election who died just as the result of the poll which he won was being declared.

    Edward said the emergence of Bello as Governor in 2015 and his reelection is 2019 were all the designs of God Almighty;

    “God does not consult anyone before he does whatever he wants, and humans have no right to question God’.

    “I am a nobody before God to be able to determine who becomes Governor and who doesn’t, I can’t even give myself power, and let alone giving same to anyone.

    “But if God sends you a message, and you refuse to deliver because you are scared of what people would say, you will end up in the belly of the fish like the biblical Jonah.

    “I only delivered the message sent through me because I fear God and not man. It was God who made Yahaya Bello the Governor of Kogi State, and it is the same God that will make him president of Nigeria according to His will. So don’t hate me, it is not about Edward Onoja,” he added.

    He therefore urged political office seekers to thread softly, noting that God will not consult with any man to determine who will become the next president of Nigeria.

  • Insecurity: Nigeria will be safe when politicians stop using criminals for elections – Yahaya Bello

    Insecurity: Nigeria will be safe when politicians stop using criminals for elections – Yahaya Bello

    Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, says Nigeria will be safer and more secure when politicians stop the use of thugs and criminals during elections.

    Bello made this on Wednesday during a monitored programme on Channels Television.

    “When politicians begin to stop the use of thugs, touts, or some group of criminal that is when we will begin to have safety and security,” Bello said.

    The governor also stressed that he won the November 16, 2019 Governorship Poll without the use of ‘boys’ or thugs.

    According to him, political thuggery and use of ‘boys’ during elections was the order of the day in Kogi before he came into power but he “refused to play that kind of dangerous politics.”

    “When I came on board, I inherited a state that was largely divided along several lines. For you to aspire to be anything politically in Kogi State then, you must have what we call ‘boys’ or thugs or touts and then use it to intimidate people during political dispensations.

    “Once the political exercise is over, the so-called boys or thugs or foot soldiers would be abandoned and left to themselves and by that, they breed into something else or a hydra-headed monster that you will not be able to curb at the end of the day. There are several histories, records, and intelligence to that effect across the country.

    “But I refused to play that kind of dangerous or unnecessary politics when I came on board. My ascension to the office is known to everybody across the world. I chose my path immediately and decided to deal with criminals irrespective of political affiliations by simply utilising the laws passed by the Kogi State House of Assembly and the existing security architecture,” he said.

    He boasted that Kogi State “run an open-door policy,” widely embraced by the residents.

    Speaking further on how he was re-elected governor on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019, Bello said evidence abound to show that he won the election freely

    “I won my election free and square. The police, the DSS, the military, and all law enforcement agencies have their facts. Don’t listen to the lies they peddle out there. When I see those things, I simply laugh and say how I wished they come to Kogi State to see for themselves.

    “There was no time in my campaign that any of my supporters or followers goes into the destruction of billboards, signposts, or installations of the state government, before, during, and after the election. I can say this boldly.”