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Tag: Kogi State

  • Kogi: 17 feared dead in communal clash

    Seventeen people have reportedly lost their lives in renewed hostilities between the Bassa Kwomu and Egbura Mozum, in Bassa local government, Kogi State.
    It was on Tuesday gathered that the crisis which started in April, took another turn, when alleged Bassa militias invaded Mozum in the early hours of Monday morning, but where were repelled by the youths from Mozum community.
    The militias were said to have later returned around 4pm, where they were engaged by youths of the community, leading to the loss of many lives.
    Settlements around Ketechi, Ojoh and environs, where the militias were stationed before launching the alleged attack on Mozum, were deserted for fear of invasion.
    Those that fled are said to be currently taking refuge at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Oguma.
    A prince from the Mozum community resident at Oguma, Shaibu Abubakar, was allegedly killed at Oguma, while returning from a fishing expedition.
    Confirming the development, the member representing Bassa Constituency at the Kogi State house of assembly, Hon. Sunday Shigaba, said that the killings were going on unabated.

    Read Also: Kogi flood victims to get relief materials

    He however said that efforts were being made to restore normalcy to the affected areas.
    He appealed to the law enforcement agencies to send reinforcement, to beef up security, adding that the military and police on ground were inadequate, to curtail the situation.
    The Kogi State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Ali Janga, in a reaction, said there was no killings going on in Bassa.
    He advised “those spreading the false information” to desist from falsehood.

  • Kogi: Civil service reforms, hard but necessary – Bello

    The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello on Monday acknowledged the pains of the administration’s civil service reforms.

    He however pointed out that they were necessary to sanitize and re position the state for effective service delivery.

    Bello during Monday’s Independence Day anniversary broadcast from the Government House, Lokoja said through some of the reforms, the state had been re positioned for good governance.

    He said that his administration had over the over two years in office, worked hard to make Kogi a better place for all.

    According to him: “I do not deny that some of our reforms have been hard, especially in the civil service, but necessary to institutionalize good governance.”

    He said that the state civil service was better off, adding that aside weeding out undeserving beneficiaries from the payroll, “we are better able to pay salaries.

    Read Also: ‘Bello has no challenger in Niger’

    He added, “As at today, we have paid August salaries to our local government employees. We were able to raise the payments from 10 percent in many cases, when we assumed office to 54 percent in August. Our aim is to reach and sustain 100 percent shortly.

    “As further gains from our civil service and pensions reforms, we started paying state civil servants 100 percent of their salaries over the last couple of months.

    “While that is ongoing, we intend to pay off all arrears due to cleared workers soon, maybe as soon as this month.”

    He disclosed that the government concluded the audit of the state pension administration covering a period of five years preceding his government.

    He said that the exercise unveiled an N4.3bn fraud, adding that the findings were made public.

  • Kogi releases results of basic exams, common entrance

    The Kogi State Government, on Saturday, says the results of  candidates for the State 2018 Basic Certificate Examinations (BECE), Common Entrance Examinations (CEE) and Basic Six (6) Examinations (BSE), are ready for collection.

    Mr Eric Aina, the Permanent Secretary, Kogi Ministry of Education, Science & Technology, made this announcement in a statement in Lokoja on behalf of the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Rosemary Osikoya.

    “All principals, parents, guardians, school administrators and the public are to note that:

    “Candidates’ results for the Kogi State 2018 Examinations are ready for release namely: Basic Certificate Examinations (BECE); Common Entrance Examinations (CEE) and Basic Six (6) Examination”.

    According to the statement, all school principals are requested to verify and confirm the details of their candidates in the Examination & Certification Department of the ministry.

    “And complete all outstanding payments as prerequisite condition for release of the 2018 candidates’ results per school.

    Read Also: Kogi flood victims to get relief materials

    “Admission of students into JSS1 and SS1 shall be performance-based as earlier directed.

    “Students are required to complete and pass the evaluation examination at Basic Six (6) and JSS3, as a prerequisite to admission into JSS1 and SS1 classes respectively”.

    According to it, resumption of JSS1 and SS1 academic session for the 2018/2019 academic session is October 15 in order to allow all schools finalise admission processes,” Aina added.

    The ministry had allowed candidates, who were unable to make payment for the examinations to write all of them, but the results of such candidates would not be released until the payment of all outstanding

    NAN

  • 2019: House of Rep. aspirant charges INEC on credible polls

    A front line aspirant for Yagba Federal Constituency vying for membership of House of Representatives under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Elder Leke Abejide has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free and fair elections in the 2019.

    Elder Abejide, a Kano-based business mogul in Press Conference in Kano on Saturday advised INEC to be fair and just in the subsequent elections  so as to maintain its credibility and assure Nigerians it has the integrity to ensure credible elections in 2019.

    According to him, “last weekend I and my teeming supporters were at our party’s national secretariat in Abuja where I submitted my nomination form. Though many would have expected me to vie on the platform of PDP or APC which they consider the big parties; but I assure you that if INEC will provide a level playing ground for all, our great party, the ADC is party to beat in 2019, particularly, in my constituency.”

    He also decried the continued neglect of his Yagba federal constituency in Kogi state consisting of three local Government Areas of Yagba East, Yagba West and Mopa-Moru, by both state and Federal Government, adding that, “this is what prompted me to contest in order to bring succour to the continuous suffering and neglect of my people.”

    Read Also: Osun Election: U.S. hails INEC’s performance

    Abejide, who recently decamped with thousands of his supporters from the ruling APC to ADC said, “the clear lack of government presence in the area is the driving factor pushing my people to seek for an alternative political party, different from the APC and PDP.

    “You will recall that on August 4, this year, thousands of my supporters and myself decamped from the ruling APC,  in a carnival-like political ceremony held in Isanlu, the headquarters of Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi state.

    “We made this move because of the un-progressive political environment being foster on the good people of Kogi State by the Governor; Yahaya Bello led administration of the APC. This everybody knows has reduced most people in the state to destitute.

    “Jobs are not being created, and many of those working before were suddenly declared ghost workers. This has led to the death of countless number of people, particularly, in Yagba land. In addition to this, we have seen a situation in which Yagba has been cut –off from other parts of Nigeria because of the collapsed of all the roads linking the area,” he stated.

  • 2019: House of Rep aspirant charges INEC on credible polls

    A front line aspirant for Yagba Federal Constituency vying for membership of House of Representatives under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Elder Leke Abejide has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free and fair elections in the 2019.

    Elder Abejide, a Kano-based business mogul in Press Conference in Kano on Wednesday advised INEC to be fair and just in the Osun governorship election re-run so as to maintain its credibility and assure Nigerians it has the integrity to ensure credible elections in 2019.

    According to him, “Last weekend I and my teeming supporters were at our party’s national secretariat in Abuja where I submitted my nomination form. Though many would have expected me to vie on the platform of PDP or APC which they consider the big parties; but I assure you that if INEC will provide a level playing ground for all, our great party, the ADC is party to beat in 2019, particularly, in my constituency.”

    He also decried the continued neglect of his Yagba federal constituency in Kogi state consisting of three local Government Areas of Yagba East, Yagba West and Mopa-Moru, by both state and Federal Government, adding that, “this is what prompted me to contest in order to bring succor to the continuous suffering and neglect of my people.”

    Abejide, who recently decamped with thousands of his supporters from the ruling APC to ADC said, “the clear lack of government presence in the area is the driving factor pushing my people to seek for an alternative political party, different from the APC and PDP.

    Read Also: INEC is in order, says Oyegun

    “You will recall that on August 4, this year, thousands of my supporters and myself decamped from the ruling APC,  in a carnival-like political ceremony held in Isanlu, the headquarters of Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi state.

    “We made this move because of the un-progressive political environment being foster on the good people of Kogi State by the Governor; Yahaya Bello led administration of the APC. This everybody knows has reduced most people in the state to destitute.

    “Jobs are not being created, and many of those working before were suddenly declared ghost workers. This has led to the death of countless number of people, particularly, in Yagba land. In addition to this, we have seen a situation in which Yagba has been cut –off from other parts of Nigeria because of the collapsed of all the roads linking the area,” he stated.

  • Kogi workers now to receive 54% of salary

    Local Government workers in Kogi State have applauded the state government for its decision to increase their monthly percentage salary from 30 per cent to 54 per cent with effect from this month.

    The state chapters of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) gave the commendation in a statement in Lokoja on Sunday.

    It said that the decision to raise the bar was commendable and urged the government to take cognizance of the percentages of salary yet to be paid.

    The statement signed by Mr Onu Edoka, Mr Tade Adeyemi and Mr Thomas Ayodele, state Chairmen of MHWUN, NULGE and NUT respectively urged the government to continue this gesture until 100 per cent salary payment is regularized.

    Read Also: Kogi and the end of politics

    “Government should include in the payroll the names of all the staff and teachers that have been cleared but are to be captured on the payroll, while the case of the uncleared undergoing review should be resolved without further delay,“ the statement said.

    The workers promised to reciprocate the government‘s gesture by continuos loyalty, support and dedication to duty.

    It would be recalled that workers in the local government sector in the state have been receiving between 22 per cent and 30 per cent of their monthly salaries for more than three years.

    Government was also charged to sustain the existing industrial harmony in the state by constantly engaging in dialogue with critical stakeholders.

  • Flooding in Kogi State

    Heavy rains experienced in Kogi State during the year has continued to wreak havoc, claiming lives and destroying properties, with scores of communities already submerged by flood in the Kotonkarfe area.

    The severity of the situation was which was witnessed by members of the State Emergency Management Agency, led by the Director of Relief and Rehabilitation,

    The State Emergency Management Agency confirmed that more than 60 villages were submerged by flood in the last one month.

    A representative of Head of Operations at the NEMA headquarters, Abuja, Reuben Babatunde, during an on the spot assessment to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp at Edeha, confirmed that at least one live was lost to the flood.

    According to him: “The state has set up five temporary camps for victims, in collaboration with the local government, and that is why NEMA is here to assess the situation. This is a natural disaster but NEMA would do its best to respond as fast as possible.

    “The local government official said that 64 villages have been submerged.”

    Read Also: Kogi: PDP task National Chairman on fairness, equity

    The Kogi Government on Monday advised residents of flood-prone communities in the state to relocate to a safer place, to avoid loss of lives and property.

    The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Sanusi Yahaya, made the announcement in a statement issued issued in Lokoja.

    “The Kogi State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources wishes to announce to members of the public, especially those in the nine flood-prone local government areas to relocate.

    “In view of the heavy rainfall recorded so far this year due to climate change, as well as the high volume of water from tributaries of Rivers Niger and Benue, which has led to steady rise in water level of the rivers, as confirmed by our monitoring team.

    “This development may likely cause flooding in some flood-prone LGAs: Omala, Bassa, Kogi/Kotonkarfe, Lokoja, Ajaokuta, Ofu, Idah, Ibaji, and Igalamela/Odolu.

    “The ministry, therefore, strongly appeal and request the people living in these flood-prone LGAs, particularly those living close to river banks, to start moving to safer ground, to avoid loss of lives and property in the event of flood.”

    He said that the state government had started preparing temporary shelters for flood victims in the event of emergencies.

  • I have no anointed candidate, says Bello

    Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has assured the members and aspirants seeking for various elective positions on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) that he has no ‘anointed’ candidate ahead of the party primaries.

    The party in the state has meanwhile adopted the indirect method of conduct of primary election to elect candidates ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

    At the APC stakeholders’ meeting held at the government house on Wednesday in Lokoja, to discuss and resolve on the method to adopt for the primaries, Governor Bello reaffirmed that he is for all the aspirants vying for various elective positions under the APC, saying whoever emerges at the primaries will be the party’s candidate.

    He assured that the party will sponsor all the candidates for the general election to ensure that APC wins the contestable positions.

    His words: “I have never anointed any aspirant for any position. Forms are already on sale, any interested member of the party willing to contest elective position on the platform of the APC in Kogi State, should go and buy their forms. The party will create a level playing ground for all the aspirants so that we can achieve our set objectives”.

    Read Also: Bello lauds Buhari’s anti-corruption stance

    He cautioned the party executives against collecting money from aspirants in the name of rendering assistance to them, warning that whoever indulge in such act will be sanctioned.

    According to him, the era of extorting aspirants is over.

    “We will sanction anybody who go against this warning; whoever caught will face the full wrath of the law, no matter who she or he is in the party”, he warned.

    The state chairman of the APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello, said the aim of the meeting was to allow members and stakeholders choose one of the suitable options for the conduct of primaries.

    He noted that APC in Kogi state has adopted indirect primaries, describing the option as cheap, credible and easy to conduct.

    He commended the governor for his support that led to the success of the party at the recently conducted bye-election into Lokoja/Kogi Koton-Karfe federal constituency.

    The Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Matthew Kolawole, said that direct primary can only throw the party into concussion, adding that the indirect primary is appropriate for the party in the state base on the political environment.

    He therefore moved for the adoption of indirect primary election in Kogi APC, which was unanimously accepted by the members and stakeholders of the party.

  • Crisis rocks PDP over automatic tickets for N/Assembly members

    Alleged offer of automatic tickets to serving members of the two chambers of the National Assembly for the 2019 elections, has sparked crisis between the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the party’s intending aspirants across the states.

    The protesters, who stormed the party’s Abuja secretariat on Monday, demanded a level play field for all aspirants through free, fair and transparent primary elections across the states.

    One of the protesting groups from Kogi State said offering automatic tickets to the lawmakers was in clear violation of the Electoral Act, the PDP constitution and the party’s guidelines.

    In an address read by Dr. Halimat Hamzat on behalf of the group, the aspirants insisted that they must be given equal opportunity to be voted for, either through delegates election or direct primaries.

    Dr. Hamzat said the party’s plot offer automatic tickets to the lawmakers was uncovered last week when an aspirant for the  House of Representatives visited the Abuja home of one of the party’s leaders, where he met a serving PDP senator.

    According to Hamzat, the senator was said to have told the aspirant that tickets for all the National Assembly positions had already been allocated to serving members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

    Read Also: Restructuring: Only N/Assembly has the power – Dogara

    “As if that was not enough, Senator Dino Melaye met with all the members of the seven local governments in Kogi West on Friday and boasted that the issue of senatorial ticket had been settled by the highest organs of the party.

    “Melaye also told them that PDP’s senatorial ticket for Kogi West had already been given to him, even as someone who recently defected to the PDP. This is in total disregard for the interests, eligibility and qualification of other aspirants”, Dr. Hamzat said.

    The group expressed reservations about the possibility of the party leadership conducting free, fair and transparent primaries into the available senatorial and House of Representatives seats.

    The aggrieved aspirants reminded the national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus of his often repeated pledge to do away with impunity and imposition of candidates for elections.

    Although none of the national officers of the PDP was ready to speak on the matter yesterday, it was however gathered that offer of automatic tickets was one of the concessions the party made to serving lawmakers that recently defected to the PDP.

    But the aspirants cautioned against the move, urging the party against manipulation of the nomination process to avoid what they described as a looming fragmentation of the PDP across the states.

    “We the aspirants for legislative seats in the National Assembly on the platform of the PDP shall collectively and wholeheartedly work for the interest of the party and any candidate duly nominated through transparent primary election.

    “But should the party proceed with its pre-determined or manipulated primary elections to nominate any candidate, an implosion that would be inimical to the interest of the party might occur”, the aspirants vowed.

  • Former Kogi gov. denies plan to foist son as guber candidate

    No amount of distraction will distract former Governor Ibrahim Idris from leading a credible opposition that would return the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to power in Kogi State.

    A statement signed by the media unit of the former governor’s office, described reports alleging the Idris of attempting to impose his son as governor as spurious, wicked and satanic.

    It described the said report as one that would not distract the former governor, adding that the sponsors have failed in their bid at blackmailing him.

    “The former governor is too focused to be distracted”, it said.

    According to the statement: “Alhaji Idris is a successful businessman and respected politician with tremendous respect for democratic ethos, dialogue and team work, credentials that set aside his nine years in public office for unequalled peace, cohesion and development in the state”.

    “Idris is responsible father who through the grace of Allah has withheld nothing from the training of his heirs, children, and his vast dependents; believes in giving them the best education possible to earn them a good start in life and to be able to hold their own anywhere and at anytime.

    “Certainly, he does not believe in close-circuiting or abridging the process to fast track success for anyone.

    Read Also: ‘No crisis in Kogi PDP’

    “The former governor does not believe in imposition of candidates, nor does he have power to impose his choices on others. He has repeatedly cautioned against it as an unjust practice and has consistently been working along with other leaders to provide a level playing ground for all PDP aspirants in the state. This is his vow to the people.

    “As a major stakeholder in the party, many aspirants have without doubts, consulted Alhaji Idris about their ambitions. The former governor wishes to assure all aspirants and indeed members of the PDP that he has no preferred candidates, whether such are his biological, political or foster sons, anointed for any of the offices. The task of rescuing our fatherland from bad leadership cannot be a family affair. Rather, it is a task for all and must be discharged selflessly.”

    It described the purveyors of the report as harboring intentions not noble, as it is untrue, evil and does not represent the thinking of Alhaji Idris.

    They therefore urged the people of Kogi State, PDP members and all lovers of freedom to disregard and dismiss same as concoctions “from the pit of hell.”