A statement by the President of EDF, Dr Kabir Zubair, on Saturday in Lokoja, said Kogi State had witnessed astronomical growth in the last few years under His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello.

”The Ebira Doctors Forum (EDF) wishes to felicitate with His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alh Yahaya Adoza Bello and the good people of Kogi State as the state clocks 31 years after its creation in 1991.

”There is no doubt that the creation of the state has brought significant development to the inhabitants of the iron rich state. The state has grown from strength to strength with every administration since its creation.

”However, the state has witnessed astronomical growth in the last few years under His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello.

”Development has touched virtually every sector of the state, but the health sector has witnessed tremendous growth in recent time.

”Today, under the able leadership of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, the state can now boast of world class healthcare facilities and equipment that has never existed before in the state.

”We believe with the right skilled manpower and management, the state is set to enjoy quality health care delivery,” he said.

The EDF, therefore congratulated His Excellency and his executive council on the 31st anniversary of the creation of the state.

The Forum also felicitated with the members of the Kogi State House of Assembly and the good people of the state for their tenacity and courage to keep going in spite of all odds.

End

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has said the domestication of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA 2015) will enhance cross-border collaboration, promote access to Justice, and curtail crime.

He spoke through his Deputy, Chief (Dr) Edward Onoja during the North Central Zonal Workshop on the Implementation of Sections 29, 33, and 34 of ACJA-2015, held at Government House, Lokoja, on Wednesday.

Performing the flag-off on behalf of Governor Bello, Chief Onoja lauded the Federal Government for identifying key elements in ACJA implementation. He reiterated his resolve to the promotion of rule of law and the security of lives and property in the State.

He said, “I am one of those leaders who believe that zero tolerance for crimes and criminality is at the heart of all efforts to secure the lives and properties of Nigerians. We practice it religiously here in Kogi State, hence our long-running status as one of the safest states in the country today.”

He expressed worry at the rate of citizens’ rights abuses by law enforcement agencies citing the EndSars Protest of 2020, saying the workshop will increase stakeholders’ skills in handling human abuses related matters in their jurisdictions.

He said Kogi State passed the Administration of Criminal Justice Law in 2017, making it perhaps the 2nd State to do so in Northern Nigeria at the time. Governor Bello used the medium to once again, debunk misleading reports in some sections of the media on an alleged explosion in Lokoja, suturing that, ”by the Grace of God and the eternal vigilance of our security personnel, there won’t be any.“

The Workshop was attended by top government functionaries with other participants drawn from various Security Agencies of the country, among other relevant stakeholders.

Promise Emmanuel
Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Kogi State

July 27, 2022.

In a press release issued and signed on Monday 25th of July by ‘Ecomog’ as Hon. Abdulkarim is called, he said the decision was the best to take at this critical time and reaffirmed his loyalty to the Executive Governor of the State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello as he called on his supporters to remain loyal and committed to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC in the local and state level.

Excerpt from the release:

Recall my suspension from office as the Executive Chairman of Kogi LGA on the 25th of August 2021 by the Executive Governor of our dear State, HE Alhaji Yahaya Bello. During the period of the suspension, series of peace mediations, intervention and engagements took place for the purpose of reconciliation while the suspension lasted. Throughout the period the suspension lasted, I was never found wanting or guilty in any way or form. Fast forward to yesterday, the 24th of July, 2022, I have with the consent of my Family, the party and the State Governor finally decided to in the interest of peace, unity and stability of the APC as a party at the Local Government level and the administration of the entire Local Government Area, resigned from office as the executive Chairman of Kogi Local Government Area effective immediately.

By this notice, I want to state without any iota of doubt that I remain a very loyal and highly committed party man. This is quite evidenced from the calmness and peaceful conduct we have exhibited and demonstrated all through the period the suspension lasted. In the same spirit, I want to also mention strongly that I, my team (Team Ecomog) and our friends remain strongly and committed to the New Direction Government of HE, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

We shall stay committed to driving conversations and winning the electorates in the coming days leading to the campaign for our party candidates in the forthcoming national and state elections.

I wish to finally appreciate and thank our Governor, HE Alhaji Yahaya Bello for his demonstration of leadership in maintain peace and unity amongst his subjects, our leaders, and friends who intervened severally in ensuring that peace and order is maintained in our LGA.

God bless you all for your patience, support and prayers.

Signed: Isah Abdulkarim Sani
Former Executive Chairman, Kogi LGA.

The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has signed the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill into law.

The signing of the bill was disclosed today by the Secretary to Kogi State Government, Dr. Folashade Ayoade Arike.

Speaking on the signing of the bill, Abu Michael, Chairman of the VAPP Steering Committee for the signing of the bill, described the signing as a gift that the Governor has bequeathed to the people of Kogi State.

Mr. Abu described the bill as good for the people of Kogi State, expressed appreciation that the state has joined other states in the signing of the bill.

He maintained that the bill has all it takes to protect citizens against violence of any kind, described the law as one that matters and very important to the State.

Mr. Abu expressed appreciation to Savannah Centre For Development and Democracy for the support which led to the signing the into law.

Mr. Abu commended Eunice Abimbola Agbogun, Executive Director, Challenged Parenthood Initiatives, for sponsoring the bill, praised her painstaking efforts to seeing that it was signed by the State Assembly.

He further thanked members of the State Steering Committee for their efforts in advocating for the signing into law the VAPP bill.

Summary of VAPP Bill.
Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill is a Bill for a law to provide for the Elimination of Violence in Private and Public Life, Prohibition of All Forms of violence Against Persons, protection of victims and punishment of offenders in Kogi State and other matters connected therewith.

The bill was passed by the Kogi State House of Assembly and has been assented to by the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

The law in summary seeks to protect women and children and other person’s under the perpetrators care, destitute and without any means of subsistence.

The law looks at the circumcision of the girl child or women, civil proceedings, damage to properly, use of dangerous weapons, domestic relationship and economic abuse.

Similarly, the law looks at emotional, verbal and psychological abuse, forced isolation from family and friends.

The law equally looks at sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and sexual intimidation.

The VAPP Bill also seeks to protect against violence in public sphare which includes wrongful arrest and detention, use of force without lawful authority, unlawful entry into premises or demolition of property without due processes.

The law seeks to protect against rape and defines rape as intentional penetration, without consent and when consent is obtained by force.

The law provides punishment for offenders, has already been signed into law by 32 States of the federation. With the signing of the bill by Kogi State Governor, only three states are left with the signing of the bill.

… DESCRIBE GOV. YAHAYA BELLO AS A PROMISE KEEPER IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has through the Kogi Community and Social Development Agency (KCSDA) reassured people Angwa Ogebe in Ankpa Local Government of his administration’s continued support in ensuring increased basic social amenities for community development.

This was disclosed through the General Manager, Alhaji Dauda Momoh while addressing Angwa Ogebe Community Development Management Committee (ACDMC) led by its Chairman Mallam Abdulwahab Danbala at the flagged off ceremony of a block of Classrooms and a borehole on Friday, June, 2022 at the Angwa Ogebe.

The Managing Director appreciate the exemplary and dedicated leadership style of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello for his relentless effort in ensuring that Kogi State benefits from World Bank grants.

Alhaji Dauda specially thanked the facilitator, Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman for being a true ambassador of the Governor and his community of origin in facilitating and paying the counterparts fund on behalf of the community.

In his remark, Dr. Usman Ogbo, Rector, Kogi state Polytechnic, Lokoja described Governor Yahaya Bello as selfless and people oriented leader whose interest is to see the development of every parts of the state particularly at the community level.

Dr. Usman urged the community to prudently and transparently utilize the fund for what it was released for to justify the confidence reposed in them.

While Presenting the Financing Agreement Form and Grant Check on behalf of the General Manager to the Chairman of the host community, Dr. Usman reiterated the need for provision of basic amenities for community development remains paramount to all concerned.

He assured the host community of Governor Bello’s unrestrained efforts to see to the completion of all projects initiated by his administration for the benefits of mankind.

The Kogi Poly Rector further disclosed that the achievement recorded thus far in Kogi state Polytechnic, Lokoja and the facilitation of the projects wouldn’t have been possible without the uncommon support, unending encouragement and enabling environment created by his principal, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello whom he described as a promise keeper and pillar of support at all times.

Earlier, Dr. Usman joined the team to another community for the flag off of similar projects at Abache where cheques for construction of a clinic and a borehole were also presented to the leader of the community.

In attendance at the events were the Ankpa Local Government Chairman who was represented by the Council Secretary, Hon. Idris Akus, Ward Councilors, traditional rulers, Imams, youths and mammoth crowd from the host communities alongside Management of Kogi Community and Social Development Agency.

• BinMalik
  Reporting from Ankpa LGA,
  Kogi state.