The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kogi State

  • ‘No crisis in Kogi PDP’

    The Kogi State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has described its rising popularity as the fear of the opposition political party and mischief makers.

    The PDP in a reaction to what it described as sponsored reports, described allegations of crisis in the state chapter as baseless, false and neither here or there.

    It said that the state governorship primaries is due for next year, and wondered “how some mischief makers would be crying foul over a process that has not began and has no date.”

    Read Also: ‘Kogi PDP is shameless’

    According to the statement signed by Achadu Dickson, Director Research and Documentation, the party said: “Haven repositioned the PDP to take over the state in 2019; it is now more concerned about the State and National Assembly Election.”

    It commended the efforts of Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, former hovernor of the state, at rebranding the party, adding that it has brought in former bigwigs back into the party.

    “The Kogi State PDP make bold to announce that its membership rank has swelled tremendously in the last few months. On a daily basis, the party keep receiving mass decampees from the opposition party to its fold, a feat that makes the PDP a bride; the party to beat in the state, with every indication pointing to the fact that it would reclaim Lugard House, the seat of government,” it boasted.

  • Three people burnt to death in Kogi accident

    Three people were burnt to death and five others injured in an accident on the Zariagi-Lokoja highway in Kogi State.

    The Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Bisi Kazeem, who confirmed the development, said the incident occurred early on Thursday.

    He explained that nine people and three vehicles–Toyota Carina, Scania Truck and Mack Tanker–were involved in the accident.

    Kazeem said that one person escaped the accident, which he blamed on over-speeding unhurt.

    Read Also: Kogi donates buses to seven tertiary institutions

    “The deceased were burnt alongside the vehicles, while the injured were taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Lokoja.”

    He said that an FRSC rescue team, which arrived at the scene after the accident had embarked on removing the wreckage from the road.

    The Okene-Lokoja-Abuja highway is classified among the deadliest road corridors in Nigeria.

    NAN

  • Lamido accuses APC of corruption

    Former Jigawa State governor, Dr Sule Lamido has accused the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government of massive corruption, saying they have succeeded in impoverishing many Nigerians within three years.

    Lamido who stated this in Lokoja, on Wednesday, when he met the Kogi State chapter of People Democratic Party noted that the present APC government is demonized.

    He alleged that the ruling party is a fraud bereft of agenda for the people it is governing.

    He called on Nigerians to rise, unite, and rescue the country from injustice meted on them by the APC administration.

    The PDP presidential aspirant who came seeking the support of members of the party’s state exco ahead of the upcoming convention said that the country’s present leadership has succeeded in causing pains and disunity among Nigerians.

    “I was ashamed when I entered Kogi State; when I look into the eyes of many Kogites and Nigerians, it was clearly written in their faces that all is not well.

    Read Also: PDP won’t change name – Lamido

    According to him: “They said they are fighting corruption in this government, which is not true. I can tell you that there is massive corruption at the presidential villa.

    “What our party succeeded in building for our nation, Nigeria, in the last 16 years is currently under threat, all because of the APC-led government.

    “PDP remains the party to contend with come 2019. The party respects the right of every Nigerian, unlike what we are having now.”

    He promised to run an all inclusive government if voted to power come 2019.

    He thanked members of the Kogi PDP exco for the warm reception given to him in the state

  • Kogi set on full implementation of ACJL

    The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasiru Ajanah assured the people of the state of the full implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL).

    This, according to the CJ, is to ensure that the state is safe for both the residents and investors.

    Inaugurating the Kogi State Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee, on Tuesday, at the state High Court in Lokoja, Justice Ajanah asserted that the enactment of the law has brought about a change in the dynamics of criminal justice administration in the state.

    According to him: “The overriding objectives of this law is to ensure that the system of administration of criminal justice in Kogi State promotes efficient management of criminal justice institutions, speedy dispensation of justice, protection of the society from crime and the rights and interest of the suspect, the defendant and the victims.”

    He pointed out that various innovations were introduced in the law, including, that no person is detained without compliance with the rule of law and the monitoring of the activities of the justice sector and detention facilities to ensure that there is no abuse of the judicial process.

    Read Also: Accident claims 5 in Kogi

    He noted that members of the committee were selected based on their track record, and charged them to remain diligent in order to achieve the desired objective.

    He stressed that the motivation of the committee, which membership include the CJ as chairman, the state Attorney-General of the state, a judge of the High Court, a Chief Magistrate, the Commissioner of Police, a Director of Prison, Chairman of any local branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), who will serve for only two years, a representative of the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council in the state, a representative of any civil society organization working on human rights in the state, is key for optimum performance.

  • Bello calls for prayers for unity, progress of Nigeria

    Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State on Thursday called on religious leaders to step up prayers for the sustained unity and progress of the country.

    Bello made the call at the Government House, Lokoja, when the General Overseer of Greater Liberation City Worldwide, Dr Chris Okafor and his team visited him.

    The cleric and his team are in the state for a four-day evangelical crusade.

    The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Simon Achuba, said that the greatness of any nation was in the hands of God.

    He stressed the need for the presence of God to achieve peace, unity, progress and development in the country.

    Bello enjoined the visiting cleric and participants at the crusade to pray for the unity of the country.

    He urged them to pray for God to continue to bless the land and uplift the people at all times.

    The governor assured the leadership of the church of adequate security during and after the programme.

    Read Also: Bello donates N5m to windstorm victims

    He said that his administration would continue to accord priority to security of lives and property in the state.

    Earlier, Okafor said they were in the state as part of their outreach and evangelism to call more people to God.

    The crusade, according to him, is aimed at setting the people free and de-populating the kingdom of darkness.

    He assured Nigerians that better things were ahead of them, urging them to be patient and believe in God at all times and for all things.

    The overseer said the hands of God were on Kogi state and enjoined the people to work with the government to achieve God’s purpose for the state.

    Okafor said that at the end of the four-day crusade in the state, there would be open doors of opportunities and overflow of God’s blessings in the state.

    NAN

     

  • Court grants interim injunction on Kogi traditional stool

    Justice R.O. Ayoola of Anyigba High Court, Kogi State, has granted an interim injunction restraining the recognition of Mr. James Abalaka as the Ejeh of Ofu, Ofu Local Government Area.

    This followed an exparte motion brought by the Ogohi of Ejule, Alhaji Akwu Obaje, who is the claimant, to the High Court demanding that the Atah Igala, Michael Ameh Oboni II, the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Kogi State Government should not recognize Abalaka as the Ejeh Ofu.

    Read Also:Appeal Court quashes election sequence reorder verdict

    The court at a hearing on Monday (July 30, 2018) restrained Abalaka from holding or parading himself as the Ejeh Ofu, until the determination of the motion on notice.

    The case was thereafter adjourned till August 26, 2018 for further hearing.

    Abalaka, who had been the Onu of Ugwolawo District, was among the traditional rulers recently appointed by Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

    Others who were given letters of appointment include the Ejeh Olamaboro, Chief Simeon Ujah, Ohi of Adavi, Chief Ireyi Bello (First Class status) and the Adogu of Eganyi, Chief Muhammed Adambe (Second Class).

    They were appointed pursuant to the Kogi State Laws on Appointments and deposition of Chiefs’ (No. 23 of 2006).

  • N-Power: Bello commends FG for recruiting Kogi indigenes

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi  has commended the Federal Government for recruiting  7,425 unemployed graduates from the state into the second batch of  the N-Power programme.

    Bello,  in a statement in Lokoja on Tuesday, said that the programme had  given hope to the beneficiaries who were selected on merit from the 21 local government councils  of the state.

    According to him, the recruitment of the unemployed graduates into the scheme was timely and a relief to the beneficiaries as many of them had  been jobless   for years.

    Those selected were mostly from indigent  background,  the governor said in the statement signed by Adoga Ibrahim, the Coordinator of the N-Power programme in the state.

    Bello also commended President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for the introduction of the N-Power scheme under which beneficiaries are entitled to  a N30,000 stipend per month.

    He re-affirmed the support of the people and government of Kogi State for the president.

    “  We will work to strengthen the effort of the President Buhari led-administration by ensuring that the beneficiaries are deployed to critical areas that will impact on the development of the state,” Bello was quoted as saying.

    He urged the beneficiaries to give their best services to the nation and refrain from any form of misconduct.

  • Dino Melaye escapes assassination attempt

    The Senator Dino Melaye, (Kogi West) on Thursday reportedly escaped assassination when suspected gunmen opened fire on his convoy in Ayetoro-Gbedde, Ijumu local government area of the state.

    The attackers who were allegedly dressed in police and the Special Anti  Robbery Squad (SARS) uniform were said to have attacked the senator on his way from Yagba.

    An account had it that the attackers barricaded the road between Mopamuro and Aiyetoro with vehicles allegedly belonging to the police and the joint task force.

    It added that on sighting Melaye’s convoy on his return from the inauguration of projects in Yagba federal constituency, the gunmen opened fire on the black G-Wagon Mercedes Benz conveying the senator.

  • Unknown gunmen assassinate Idah poly director

    The Director of Works at the Federal Polytechnic Idah, Kogi State, Solomon Ayegba Sani, has been reportedly killed by yet unknown persons.

    He was allegedly shot around 10 pm on Tuesday, at his residence in Idah, Idah local government area.

    The victim was gathered was recently promoted to the position of Director of Works by the institution.

    Read Also:Gunmen disrupt funeral in Benue community

    The deceased was a Charted Engineer.

    All efforts to get confirmation from the school’s management proved abortive.

    The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya however confirmed the incident, saying Sani was assassinated by unknown gunmen.

    He stated that the brother of the deceased reported the matter to the police in Idah, after gunmen invaded his residence and killed him.

    The police spokesman said that investigation has commenced, adding that the perpetrators would be brought to book.

  • CSO decry worsening HIV prevalence in Kogi

    A Civil Society Organization (CSO), Sustainable Mechanism for Improving Livelihood and Household Empowerment (SMILE Project), has decried the prevalence of the dreaded Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Kogi State.

    The state Coordinator, of SMILE Project, Mr. Kehinde Arowosegbe, on Tuesday in Lokoja, during an advocacy workshop organized for ministries, departments and agencies of governments (MDGs) on the “Right of Children, their Welfare and their Protection from Every Form of Abuse”, said that location makes it more vulnerable to the scourge.

    According to him: “Kogi is the only state that shares boundary with nine others, including the FCT”.

    He said that against the misgivings that HIV pandemic has reduced, it has not abated, despite efforts much has been to curtail its prevalence.

    He said that the SMILE Project team is working hard to sensitize the public on the need to tackle the HIV epidermic, because when the parents die the society would be left to carter for a retinue of orphans.

    He explained that Obajana in Lokoja Local Government host to the biggest cement factory in Africa is situated is in the lead in the incidence of HIV prevalence.

    Read Also: Kogi varsity students decry delayed results

    “Because of inter border transmission of the disease, Kogi is vulnerable. If we don’t tackle it now, it will affect many children, as the activities of trailer drivers at their park will have a multiplier effect”.

    He added, “Thank God for the Child Right Act in Nigeria, which was signed into law in 2002 and it was domesticated and signed into law in Kogi State in 2009.

    “Children are being abused, their rights being denied them. It could be sexual abuse or harassment”.

    He commended Kogi, “being one of the few states in Nigeria that has functional Family Court system.

    “In other states, children languish in prisons, which are not meant for them. This is because they don’t have the proper courts that are meant for them. Kogi is having family courts in more than 10 local governments.

    “Such Juvenile courts are all over the state, making it easy for cases relating to children to easily be dispensed with”, he said.

    The permanent secretary, ministry of women affairs and social development, Mr. Aiyedero Jethro said it is disheartening to note that there is high rate of child abuse in the state.

    He challenged parents, stakeholders and caregivers not to fold their arms and watch the social ill increase, and called for more collaboration and synergy on ways of protecting” every child in Kogi State.