A group, Kogi Youth Leaders Initiative (KYLI), has lauded Governor Yahaya Bello for the successful completion of the Staff Verification Exercise.
The group made the call in Lokoja yesterday, when it visited the Director General on Media and Strategy to the governor, Kingsley Fanwo.
National President of KYLI, Adejoh Daniel, praised Bello for the courage and political will to ensure only genuine workers draw salaries from the coffers of government.
His words: “We are proud to associate with our ‘talk-and-do’ governor. Former governors knew about the rot but shied away from tackling it because of their political ambitions.
“As a governor representing the youth, Bello has done us proud; he has shown what youths can do when allowed to serve.
“We can see the picture of where the governor is going and we have come to assure him we believe in his dream of a better Kogi State. We will go round the state to sensitise the people on the need to support the ongoing reforms in the civil service.”
Fanwo thanked the group for their “undying patriotism towards a better Kogi”. He assured them of the governor’s readiness to “work with credible organisations who share the dreams of the New Direction Agenda of the present administration.”
“The Staff Verification Exercise is a legacy project aimed at blocking the free loss of resources into the pockets of unintended beneficiaries who had been siphoning the resources of the state in the past.
“Governor Bello believes in pursuing what is right for the state. As a democrat, he has always briefed the people on the position of the exercise and has given affected workers the opportunity to prove their cases.
“The governor is also considering giving safety nets to affected workers. He won’t leave them in the lurch as efforts are on to empower them and make the environment conducive for them to thrive,” Fanwo said.
The media aide hinted that the final lists have been given to heads of Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Local Government Councils for public display to enable affected workers with genuine cases seek redress. The list will be published on the government’s official website for ease of access.
Tag: Bello
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Group hail Bello over staff verification
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Bello releases N2b to former office holders
The National Councilors Forum, Kogi State chapter, has hailed Governor Yahaya Bello over the release of N2 billion to clear salary arrears and severance package of past political appointees in the state.
Bello has released N2 billion for payment to immediate past political office holders in the 21 local government councils.
The money is a carry over from former Governor Idris Wada, as part payment of their salary and severance package.
The Chairman of the National Councilors Forum, Musa Abdullahi Adakeke, expressed their relief over the clearance of salary and other entitlements when he led over 512 members on a ‘thank you’ visit to the governor.
Bello said his administration will continue to welcome all those that are ready to work with him, adding that every one in the state belong to his administration.
He said that all former chairmen and secretary of local government councils have been paid part of their salary and severance package owed by the previous administration.
According to the governor, his administration will do everything possible to take care of civil servants in the state, noting that virtually all genuine workers have been paid up till December.
He presented an 18-seater bus to the forum, and promised to consider members into positions of his “New Direction” administration.
Adakeke thanked the governor for releasing the money as part payment of their salary and severance package.
He added: “We appreciate the dogged determination of the governor to transform the state in the area of infrastructure at the rural and urban cities. This will help in no small measures to engage a number of our youth on gainful employment, thereby reducing the incidences of crime in the state and its environs”.
They called on the governor to provide 5,000 All Progressives Congress’ membership cards to them and their supporters, and approve a date for their formal defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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Bello presents N174.8b budget for 2017
Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello yesterday presented an Appropriation Bill of N174,851 billion to the House of Assembly for the 2017 fiscal year.
Bello said the budget comprises N58.5 billion (33.47 per cent) recurrent expenditure and N116.3 (66.53 per cent) capital expenditure.
He tagged the budget, “Budget of New Direction”.
According to the governor, the budget is based on estimated recurrent revenue of N81.666 billion and capital receipt of N93:185.
The estimated N81.666 billion revenue, according to him, consists of N32.181 billion from internal sources; N35.3 billion from the Federation Account; N8.08 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT), N2.2 billion from exchange differentials and N3.8 billion from budget augmentation.
The estimated N93.185 capital receipt comprises N63.185 billion capital receipt analysis by economic and N30 billion as aid and grants.
Umar Imam, the Speaker, said the House would give the budget accelerated consideration to ensure the people get dividends of democracy.
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Bello condoles with Akwa Ibom
Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has expressed his condolences to the government and people of Akwa Ibom State on the church collapse in which scores of people died at the weekend.
A statement by the Director-General on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Kingsley Fanwo, noted that the “church auditorium collapse in Akwa Ibom was a sad occurrence that has left a dark scar on the minds of Nigerians”.
The statement said the nation stood with the Akwa Ibom residents in their hour of bereavement.
It said: “I wish to condole with my brother, Governor Udom Emmanuel, and the people of Akwa Ibom State on the church auditorium collapse in which many died.
“Our hearts go to the families that lost their loved ones and those still recovering from injuries. We sympathise with you and will continue to support you through this trying period.”
Bello urged the church to continue to pray for the greatness of the nation.
The governor called for better regulation of structures to curb what he called “needless and painful loss of lives”.
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Bello’s wife launches pet project
Wife of the Kogi State Governor, Hajia Rashidat Bello, at the weekend, launched her Direct Reach out Project (DROP) to cater for the vulnerable. The project, which aims to empower 10,000 persons in its first phase under the Kogi Women and Youth Advancement Foundation (KOWYAF), is geared towards reaching out and touching the lives of the people at the grassroots.
According to Hajia Bello, looking into the innocent faces of children, the downtrodden and the less-privileged, ignites in her the desire to reach out and bring joy to them.
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Bello mourns Ohize
Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has expressed shock on the death of Senator Salihu Ohize.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mrs. Petra Akinti Onyegbule, described the death of the former chairman of Okene Local Government as a “painful exit of a political general, who fought hard for the change we are enjoying in Nigeria and Kogi State”.
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Bello urges calm after Fulani leader’s murder
•We’re investigating, says police
Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has condemned the murder of the leader of the Miyetti-Allah Cattle Breeders Association in the state, Ibrahim Abubakar Jalindo.
Jalindo, who was killed in his Lokoja residence on Saturday, was a two-term secretary of Miyetti-Allah.
Bello, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Petra Akinti Onyegbule, said the government was working with security agencies to unravel Jalindo’s death.
He appealed for calm.
The statement reads: “I received with sadness, news of the death of Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar Jalindo today. On behalf of the people, I express my condolences to the Miyetti-Allah Association.
“As painful as this must be, I enjoin all to be calm as the government is working with security agencies to fish out the perpetrators as soon as possible. They will also be made to face the consequences of their actions.
“May Allah grant Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar Al-Jannah Firdaus.”
The police said they were investigating Jalindo’s death, spokesman William Aya has said.
Jalindo’s predecessor Shaibu was killed by kidnappers about four months ago. His family paid N5 million for his release.
But his body was later found by his family.
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Bello condoles NLC chair Edoka
Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has commiserated with the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Onu Edoka, on the death of his father, Pa Edoka.
Bello, who described the late community leader as courageous, approachable and a fine gentleman, said his contributions to nation-building would be missed.
The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Edward Onoja, spoke at the weekend when he visited Edoka’s family in Okpo.
He said the deceased lived a fulfilled life worth celebrating, and prayed for the peaceful repose of Pa Edoka.
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‘Bello hasn’t moved out of Govt House’
Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Kogi State Taufiq Isa has urged the people to disregard rumours that Governor Yahaya Bello has started moving out of the Government House.
Isa, who spoke in Lokoja yesterday, described the speculation as a figment of the peddlers’ imagination.
“I was with the governor, his deputy and some top officials in their offices yesterday, and the issue of packing out of the Government House has not come up,” he said.
Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Strategy Abdulmalik Abdulkareem described the rumours as blatant lies coming from unserious people.
He said the governor and his exco members had no cause to worry and, therefore, had no reason to relocate.
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Be patient with Buhari, says Bello
Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has urged the people to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari, assuring them that over 100,000 youths and women will be empowered by his government.
Addressing the multitude that accompanied him to the Government House after the Sallah prayers in Lokoja yesterday, Bello said his administration was youth-based.
He promised that over 100,000 youths and women would be empowered to prevent Abuja-based politicians from using them to cause crises.
The governor, who sued for peace and unity, urged them to live together as one to enable the state enjoy foreign patronage.
“We are doing our best to woo foreign investors and without absolute peace and unity among the people, the state cannot enjoy such opportunity,” he noted.
Chief Imam of Lokoja Abdullahi Baba, who led prayer, cautioned Muslims against bad conduct.
“It is imperative for Muslims to embrace good conduct, which is the basis of the Eid-El-Kabir,” he said.
Baba, who reminded the people that death could come anytime, urged the people to love one another.
He said the Bello-led administration has shown signs of improving the people’s living standard.