The coordinator and leader of Labour Party (LP) in Olamaboro Local Government Area, Mr David Apeh, and over 200O others, on Monday defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kogi State Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja, received the defectors with enthusiasm at Okpo Olamaboro.

Onoja eulogised the LP leader, his followers and several other defectors from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and People’s Redemption Party (PRP) and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for heeding to the voice of reasoning by joining APC.

The deputy governor explained that the APC worked tirelessly to defeat PDP in 2015, repeated same in 2019, expressing confidence that 2O23 would be a walkover.

He stressed that the ruling party had performed tremendously well in social economic and infrastructure development across the council and the state at large under Gov. Yahaya Bello’s administration,

The deputy governor assured that with the increase in the number of registered voters, the LGA would double its winning streak.

He further called for massive support for the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, saying Kogi would hugely benefit from Tinubu’s administration if elected Nigeria’s president.

Reacting on the allegations against him by LP House of Representatives candidate, Chief Peter Ameh, that he authorised the destruction of billboards, Onoja urged the LP candidate to do the needful by obeying the law.

According to Onoja, the state has passed a signage law through Kogi Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), which stipulated the amount payable by candidates of political parties before mounting billboards and posters in the state.

He disclosed that as sitting Deputy Governor, he paid huge amount of money to advertising agencies for him to paste posters and mount billboards when his principal, Governor Yahaya Bello was contesting for presidential ticket of the APC.

”My name is a catalyst for news, a brand that if not added to a story by my detractors, their stories will not sell.

”I never ordered anyone to destroy billboards, because I am chairman of KGIRS,” Onoja said..

Earlier, the coordinator of the defectors and LP leader, said he was an ‘intensed political archenemy’ of the deputy governor with several confrontations in many fora .

”But having sat down and did a comprehensive analysis of the political trends in the country, i realized that labour party was not going to have a meaningful headway in the 2023 polls.

”I, therefore decided to pitch my tents along with my over 2000 numerous supporters with the ruling party,” he said.

Apeh enjoined all sons and daughters of Olamabiro in opposition parties to join APC, stressing that the party had brought unprecedented developmental strides to the areas.

Other dignitaries at the events were: House of Representatives member for Olamaboro/ Omala /Ankpa Federal Constituency, Mr. Abdullahi Halims; and Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Gabriel Olofu.

Others included the Chairman Olamaboro, Mr Friday Adejoh; member, House of Assembly member, Anthony Ujah Alewo and a host of other sons and daughters of the LGA.

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.

No fewer than 210 vulnerable women farmers, widows, petty traders and women with disabilities have been empowered with cash and agricultural items across the 21 Local Government Areas of Kogi State.

The State Governor, Alh. Yahaya Bello, who flagged off the distribution on Thursday in Lokoja, said the gesture was the efforts of Federal Government in collaboration with State Government to eliminate poverty and hunger among the women folks and uplift their livelihood.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Chief Edward Onoja, added that the initiative would improve the lives of the beneficiaries to enable them contribute their quotas to the economy of the state and the country at large.

He advised the women leader to distribute the items judiciously inline with his policy of Fairness, equity and justice.

He urged women to intensifies their prayers for Governor Yahaya Bello to enable God release the presidential mandate on him, stressing that what women in Kogi are benefiting could reach out to other women in the country.

He noted that this was the first time Kogi state has a leader who had shown national recognition and reckoned globally.

”I did not choose to go for presidency because of myself but for the benefit of people of Kogi and Nigerians, especially the less privilege, vulnerable women and children in the society,” he said.

He commended the management of WEMA Bank for their promised to support Kogi Women in improving their lives, assuring the Bank that it will not be disappointed by women for such gesture.

He congratulated beneficiaries of the empowerment and advised them to use the the cash and agricultural items judiciously to improve their lives.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Fatima Buba, said a total of 210 women would benefit across the 21 local government areas of the state.

She said the essence of the empowerment was to eradicate poverty and hunger among women, widows, and people with disabilities.

This, she said would improve their lives to enable them contribute their quotas to the economy of the state and the country at large. She

She said Kogi Women were industrious, enterprising and versatile, especially in agriculture, and advised them to use the items for their intended purposes.

The Commissioner of Agriculture, Mr David Apeh, commended the Federal and State Government for the gesture, as well as Wema Bank for ensure readiness to support women farmers in the state.

Apeh appealed to the bank to simplify the loan conditions to enable the women access it.

Also speaking, Manager of Wema Bank, Mrs Chinasa Isaac, assured the readiness of the bank to support government in its empowerment programmes.

She said the bank has products targeting women folks, saying it was ready to give them loan at the range of N100,000 to N1 million to boost their businesses.

Some beneficiaries, Funke Abolaji, Sepuwa Danladi, Ramatu Yusuf and Omoshade Yemi from Yagba West, Yagba East, Idah, Ofu and Ibaji Local Governments respectively, commended the Federal and state government for the empowerment.

They expressed happiness for being beneficiaries of the programme and promised to use the cash as well as agricultural items according to expectations.

The Agricultural items distributed include: seedlings such as Beans, rice, maize, grandnut and farm implements such as wheel barrow, shovel, spraying container, fertilizer, chemicals, among others.

End

By Stephen Adeleye

The President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), His Eminence Rev. Dr Samson Supo Ayokunle, has urged leaders at all levels to ensure justice and fairness in leadership for the benefit of all irrespective of affiliations, beliefs or differences.

Ayokunle made the call on Monday, at the official Inauguration and Dedication of Government House Chapel, Lokoja, known as ”Chapel of Peace and Unity”, built by Gov. Yahaya Bello, after 28 years of creation of the state.

The ground breaking of the Chapel, was performed on July 22, 2019 by CAN President, and completed on December same year within five months.

The CAN President commended the governor for his goodwill and courage to break the jinx of 28 years which all his predecessors could not achieve in building a church at Government House Lokoja.

According to him, the governor and his deputy have done what is called, ‘Justice in leadership for the good of all’, to ensure justice, fairness and mutual respect.

The CAN President expressed his delight to be in Kogi State, and appreciated the governor for the opportunity of being invited to dedicate the historic chapel, saying ”it is a chapel of justice”.

”Your Excellency, your generation shall forever be blessed for standing for justice, inclusiveness, fairness and equity for all; may God bless you. Thank you for allowing God to use you to stand for justice”, he said.

Ayokunle enjoined other governors and the Federal Government to emulate what Bello has done in Kogi in terms of good governance, equity, fairness and justice.

He added: ”If we deliberately do justice, there would be peace and tranquility; in the atmosphere of justice, peace will definitely reign.

”We need justice, fairness and mutual respect in all aspect of our lives, if Nigeria is going to be one”.

He prophesied that the governor would enjoy prosperity and move from one level of glory to another higher level of glory.

He further urged the federal government to urgently ensure the completion of the rehabilitation of Loko-Abuja road, saying, ”it is a shame to be constructing a road that is less than 200km for over 15 years”.

In his remarks, Gov. Yahaya Bello, noted that it was only God’s help to have found the desire, courage and resources to build the Chapel of Unity and Peace.

”When we did the ground breaking on July 22, 2019, we promised to finish the work in December of that year. We completed it on schedule and put it to use that same year.

”Today, we are here to officially commission and dedicate it. We cannot thank God enough”, Bello said.

Represented by His Deputy, Chief Edward Onoja, the governor said that the Chapel had shown that ”our constitution guarantees of equality as citizens are binding on leaders irrespective of their personal beliefs, feelings and inclinations.

”This building speaks of equity, unity and the fear of God as the principal bedrocks of a diverse but egalitarian society.

”The building proclaims that inclusivity and equal access to government and her institutions at the inalienable right of all citizens, among others”.

The governor further thanked CAN in Kogi and at the national level for standing solidly with the government in the actualisation of the peoject.

He solicited for prayers and support of the entire Christian community, to be able to do all that God of heaven had commanded for the people of Kogi State.

Also speaking, the CAN Chairman in Kogi, Dr John Ibenu, said that God in heaven had brought the governor to to do His will, and urged him to continue to seek and do the will of God.

Ibenu stressed that God had used the governor to answer 28 years’ prayer and yearning of the Christian body in Kogi, and prayed God to grant the governor his deepest desires.

”His Excellency is a leader that believes in treating all Faith equally, fairly and respectably. He has demonstrated that over and over.

Ibenu thanked the CAN President for having a very soft spot for Kogi State, and for his continuous prayer for the governor.

He also called on the Federal government to as a matter of urgency complete the Lokoja-Abuja road, saying the road was worsening on daily basis.

The leadership of CAN in Kogi State, conferred an Award of ”Friend Of The Church”, on the governor, as a way of appreciating his love for CAN.

Other dignitaries at the occasion were: the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Afolashade Ayoade; Speaker Kogi House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Matthew Kolawole; and State Commissioners

Others included: Zonal CAN Chairman, North Central, Dr Israel Akanji, Traditional Rulers, Leaders of all the Five blocs of CAN in Kogi, JNI, among others.

Fellow Kogites,

I heartily felicitate with us, particularly our Christian brothers and sisters, on the joyous occasion of this year’s Christmas, as we commemorate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This Christmas season once again presents us with the opportunity to reflect on the realities of the humble background of a divine birth that would have been a global extravaganza if God was a show-off, or operates by the laws of men.

But God is God and not man and His ways are past finding out, so Jesus entered the world quietly then proceeded to revolutionalise it.

That immaculate birth of a young child thousands of years ago in Bethlehem, Judea brought the message of hope, compassion, salvation, reconciliation, forgiveness and peace with God and among men which Jesus Christ embodies and conveys. It continues to ring out on the earth generation after generation and will do so till the end of time.

2020 has been a challenging year for many reasons but chiefly the supposed Covid-19 pandemic with its months of lockdown which disrupted economic and social life across the world.

Many have found in the unfamiliar coronavirus situation reasons for discouragement and even despair, but let this Christmas remind us that the people who live in darkness have seen a great Light.

Indeed, we thank God for the trials we have faced and the triumphs we are enjoying. Our resilience and steadfastness as a State in the face of this needless crisis is born of the grace of God which has given us leaders who understand the times and know what Kogi State should do.

Jesus, our Sun of Righteousness has risen with healing in His wings. The One who parted the Red Sea will make any way that we may need through any circumstance that we are in. Halleluya.

Merry Christmas!

Chief Edward Onoja [CIK]
Olimene Attah Igala.
Deputy Governor of Kogi State.
25th December, 2020.

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, on Thursday began the distribution of 114, 315 (50kg) bags of fertilisers to farmers affected by 2018 flooding in Kogi State.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq, handed over the bags fertilizers to the Kogi State Government during the inauguration ceremony in Lokoja, for onward distribution to farmers affected by the 2018 flooding in the state.

She said that the bags of fertiliser would be distributed by the ministry through National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to farmers in collaboration with the State government.

The minister also monitored the disbursement of two months Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, under the Emergency Agricultural Intervention Programme beneficiaries under the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).

According to Farouq, 19,803 bags of fertilizers will be distributed to farmers in Ofu and Lokoja Local Government Areas of the State.

“The total quantity of NPK fertilizers required after verification of the farmers is 114,315 bags of 50kg: 54,900 bags were delivered to the State.

“From the quantity delivered, 35,097 bags were distributed to farmers in five Local Government Areas including Kogi (Koton Karfe), Ajaokuta, Igalamela-Odolu, Omala and Ibaji. Starting from today, 19,803 bags of fertilizers will be distributed to farmers in Ofu and Lokoja Local Government Areas.

“The balance of 59,415 bags being processed by the blending plants will be delivered as soon as it is ready.

“It is worthy of note that fertilizer distribution is the final phase of Federal Government assistance to the farmers to enable them to recover from the losses suffered in order to alleviate poverty and empower them.

”May I, therefore, use this opportunity to appeal to the beneficiaries to make the best use of the fertilizer,” she said.

The Minister noted that Kogi State is an agrarian State with the citizens largely engaged in farming activities, saying, ”the frequent occurrence of flood has continued to threaten this potential.

“The Yearly Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency on 24th January 2020 and the Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) released by the Hydrological Services Agency, have forecasted that in Kogi State, the highly probable flood risk in 2020 will include Bassa, Dekina, Lokoja, Omala local Government Areas; while the probable flood risk areas are Idah, Igalamela-Odolu, Koton-karfe, Ajaokuta, Ofu, Adavi Local Government Areas.

Also inaugurated was the roll out of Agricultural inputs to be distributed to Kogi farmers and nationwide as parts of the Federal Government’s palliatives against COVID-19 pandemic.

In his remarks, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammed Sabo-Nanono, said the agricultural inputs was parts of the federal government’s palliatives to cushion the effects of COVID-19 on food and nutrition, as well as security of the nation.

Sabo-Nanono handed over farm inputs including cashew seeds, soya beans, sesame seeds and agrochemicals to the State Government for distribution to farmers.

The minister urged the beneficiaries to use the agricultural inputs judiciously to make food abundantly available in the country in order to defeat the negative impacts of COVID-19 in the country.

In his remarks, Kogi Deputy Governor, Chief Edward David Onoja, who flagged off the distribution on behalf of Gov. Yahaya Bello, applauded Mr President’s kind gesture for supporting the farmers in the state with farm inputs and fertilizers, assured that the support will go a long way to boost agriculture and alleviate poverty.

He promised that the fertilisers would be effectively utilised and distributed accordingly as specified by the minister in the five council areas.

He also thanked the Federal Government for supporting the poorest of the poor in the State through the CCT programme.

Also present at the occasion was the Director General of NEMA, Air Vice Marshal Muhammadu Muhammed (rtd), officials of both the Ministries of Agriculture and Humanitarian Affairs.

End