Speaking at the event at Government House Lokoja, the Director General of PDCRC, Barr. Abdullahi Zakari, said the commission set up the Human Rights Special Interventions Committee, and was inaugurated on October 15, 2020, on the directive of the Governor.

According to him, the committee was established to deal with matters arising out of the ENDSARS protests in 2020.

”Today, we are submitting the Kogi State report of its findings and then making appropriate recommendations to Government on what to do.

”We identified the immediate and remote causes of the protests and also made recommendations for the purposes of implementation.

”So that such occurrence will be minimised if not completely stopped in some other time,” he said.

According to Zakari, the committee entertained 12 petitions out of which six of them were life issues.

He explained that at the commission’s level, they were able to address some issues that were not too serious, made recommendations and people have gotten results.

He added that on the other six reports, there was a public hearing where people took ownership of their complaints, and the committee made their findings.

”In all, the recommendations would go a long way into resolving some of the issues that undermined the ENDSARS protests that swept across the country,” Zakari said.

In his response, the Governor commended the committee for a job well done, assuring that the State Government would look into the recommendations for implementation.

The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Dr Folashade Ayoade, promised to continue to give the necessary support to ensure that Kogi PDCRC is well positioned to deliver on its objectives.

He commended the commission for several civil and criminal cases and interventions it had handled and resolved across the state since it was established.

”I want to assure you that every recommendation therein will be well noted and carry out because of my strong believe in promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights,” he said.

Bello reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the residents and citizens of the state especially the indigents and vulnerable have access to justice free of charge.

The governor further restated his determination to ensure protection, promotion and enforcement of human rights across the state.

Earlier, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ibrahim Mohammed SAN, said Kogi PDCRC was a product of justice sector reforms established through the instrumentality of law.

He commended the commission for a job well done in putting up the ENDSARS report, assuring them of the State Government continuous support and without any interference in delivering their mandates.

Also speaking, the Kogi State Acting Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Josiah Majebi, appreciated the Governor for his proactive-ness in ensuring that human rights are promoted, protected and enforced in the state without interference.

He assured the commission of the total support of the judiciary in its bid to deliver justice for the vulnerable and indigent residents and citizens of the state.

In his vote of thanks, the Committee Chairman, Barr. Ibrahim Alhassan, thanked the governor for creating the enabling environment for the committee to operate.

Alhassan further commended the DG Kogi PDCRC for a great job he is doing describing Zakari as a great asset to Kogi State Government

End

By Stephen Adeleye

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Kogi chapter, has celebrated with His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello, on the occasion of his 47th Birthday Anniversary.

The NYSC members organised a colourful ceremony for the Governor with the display of Ebira cultural dance and presentation of Colanut, and Birthday card designed by the corps members.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Afolashade Ayoade, received the corps members on behalf of the governor, who honoured him as the ‘Youth Ambassador’.

Speaking at the event in Government House Lokoja on Saturday, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Pastor Mrs Mofoluwasho Williams, described Bello as ”a young and vibrant Governor and a father of corps members in the state”.

”When somebody is doing well you have to identify with the person and celebrate with him.

”The reason for NYSC coming here is to identify with our Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on the occasion of his birthday today.

”He is the father of the corps members in the state, and as his children, we have to identify with him on such an auspicious occasion,” she said.

Williams added that the corps members would also showcase the rich culture Ebira land, saying ”as you can see I am dressed in Ebira regalia and the corps members that displayed are not from Kogi.

”So it shows the dexterity of the corps members and that they are ready for any government assignment in the state.

”The youth are always excited about the antecedents of the Governor and have decided to honour him aa the Youth Ambassador”, she said.

In her response the SSG, Dr Afolashade Ayoade, who spoke on behalf of the governor, appreciated the corps members for the gesture, saying they were the first to give him such gift.

Ayoade expressed the governor’s delight to receive the corps members at the Government House, saying ”the governor is so elated and very happy about it”.

She described the governor as the youth Ambassador indeed, as he had ensured youth engagement, empowerment and involvement in governance.

She urged the NYSC to table all their requests for onward presentation to the governor, assuring them of urgent attention.

End

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Thursday, urged children in the state to be focused, disciplined and shun all forms of social devices to make their parents and the nation proud.

Bello gave the advice at a program organised by Kogi Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, to mark the 2021 National Children’s Day, held at Lokoja Confluence stadium.

Bello, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Mrs Afolashade Arike Ayoade, thank God on behalf of the children for keeping them alive and healthy to witness another children’s day.

”We want to appreciate the Almighty God for sparing your lives and preserving you in sound health, mind and mental health to join others all over the world to celebrate the children’s day”, he said

He prayed God to continue to keep the children, while advising them to do their best, shun all forms of social devices, and be disciplined and emulate the governor.

The governor urged the children to be focused and study very hard to become great personalities in life, and make their parents and the state proud.

He further urged the parents to take good care and train their children to have the fear of the Lord, so as to have a great reward.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Fatima Kabir Buba, thanked God for the enablement to celebrate the children’s day without obstruction as experienced in 2020.

According to her, the day was first celebrated in Nigeria in 1964, raising awareness for issues that affect children and to appreciate the fact that they are the future of our societies.

”It is also a special day to recognise honor and appreciate children because they are God’s gift to us. .

”So attention must be paid to their spiritual, emotional, educational and social wellbeing in which the physically challenged children are not also left behind”, Buba said.

She stressed that all children irrespective of their status or situation should enjoy their rights to survival and development as enshrined in the Child Rights Acts (CRA 2003).

She added: ”It is on this note that I welcome everyone once again to celebrate with our future, our pride on this auspicious occasion”.

The highlights of activities to mark the children’s day was the Match past parades and ethnic cultural dance by children from primary and secondary schools across Lokoja metropolis.

Police Children Primary School, and Teachers Home International College, Lokoja, emerged first position in match past in primary and secondary categories respectively.

One of the students, Tosin John, thanked the state government and the ministry of women affairs, for organising a befitting activities for them to celebrate tgw children’s say in a grand style.

In his vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Joseph Akele, thanked the Governor for the privilege to hold the 2021 children’s day, which had not been held since 2016 in the state.

The National Children’s Day is celebrated every May 27, to raise awareness on children’s rights and wellbeing.

This year’s theme is ”Effect Of COVID-19 Pandemic On The Total Wellbeing Of The Nigerian Child! The Way Forward”.

Dr. Ayoade who doubles as the Chairman, Committee on Novelty Match assured that the football pitch will be put in good shape before the match takes place.

According to her, the novelty match which is at the behest of the Ex Super Eagles players was to show solidarity towards Governor Yahaya Bello`s Presidential ambition.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Idris Musa who is also the Chairman Sub-Committee on Stadium Renovation said that some of the obsolete facilities will be upgraded as soon as possible.

The Chairman of the Committee was accompanied on the inspection by other members.

It will recalled that Super Eagles set of 1994 and Olympics winning Dream Team paid a visit on Governor Bello and honored him with an award for his encouraging and motivating the youths.

Victoria Tafu
Public Relations Officer
MY&SD

Dr Ayoade in her Christmas greetings on Thursday asked Christians to see this year’s Xmas as moments to show love and promote unity as well as pray for the leaders in the country.

The Kogi State SSG also charged Kogites to support the meaningful programs of the state government under Governor Yahaya Bello which has made all citizens equal without disparities among Ethnic/Religious Groups.

“I bring you greetings with the Love of Christ in my heart in these season of Celebrations with a view to encourage all Kogites to be fervent in prayers especially for our leaders, for a sustainable unity in our dear State and the country at large of which His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello the Executive Governor of Kogi State has made all citizens equal without disparities among Ethnic/Religious Groups and differences in classes in the State.

“I will enjoin all well meaning Kogites to support and key into all programs of the State Government.

“It is on this note I wish to congratulate the clergies, missionaries and the faithful ones around the world on the occasion of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ to whom is the reason for the Season.

“Happy Christmas and Prosperous New year in advance.”