The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kogi State

  • Gov Bello illegally registered twice – INEC

    Gov Bello illegally registered twice – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has accused Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello of double registration for Permanent Voter Card, as against the electoral law.

    A statement by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Prince Solomon Soyebi, said Bello’s second registration was done on Tuesday at the Government House in Lokoja, outside the designated centre for ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

    The statement reads: “It has come to the attention of INEC that Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello registered as a voter for the second time on Tuesday, May 23, at the Government House in Lokoja.

    His first registration was on January 30, 2011, in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja. The governor’s double registration, and doing so outside lNEC’s designated centres, are both illegal. For the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), INEC has designated a centre in each of the country’s 774 local governments areas, including FCT’s six Area Councils.

    RELATED: ‘Bello killing APC in Kogi’

    “We wish clarify that no INEC worker was authorised to re-register Bello or any citizen, or to do so outside our designated registration centres. The commission, therefore, dissociates itself from the governor’s action and promises to take disciplinary action against the staff who conducted Bello’s second registration.

    “As for the governor, Section 308 (l) (a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), precludes lNEC from prosecuting him while in office. However, the commission has cancelled his second and illegal registration forthwith.”

    It added that Bello’s second registration will be cancelled as the Electoral Law and the commission’s guidelines make no exception for anyone to register more than once, and to do so outside designated centres.

  • FG begins pilot implementation of conditional cash transfer in Kogi

    FG begins pilot implementation of conditional cash transfer in Kogi

    The Federal Government said it has earmarked six local government areas in Kogi State as pilot project for the implementation of its Conditional Cash Transfer of N5, 000 monthly per household.

    The National Coordinator, National Cash Transfer Project (NCTP), Office of the Vice President, Dr Temitope Sinkaye, made this known on Thursday at the inauguration of “100-Day Rapid Result Initiative (RRI)” workshop on Conditional Cash Transfer in Lokoja.

    He stated that the projects has two components, which include Base (Unconditional) Cash Transfer of N5,000 for the most vulnerables in which payment had already commenced in nine states, and Conditional Cash Transfer of additional N5,000 for households with children, pregnant women and school age children, among others.

    “We are here to develop a framework for implementation of the conditional cash transfer which is the second component that is being funded by the World Bank, unlike the base cash transfer that is solely funded by the federal government.

    “Kogi was selected as pilot state for the 100-day to test run the implementation strategy, and two local government has been selected in each senatorial zone for the test run namely: Lokoja, Yagba West, Okehi, Ajaokuta, Ibaji and Dekina respectively.

    “At the end of the 100 day after the design and test running, if we are sure that this framework is good enough, then we will replicate it in other states of the federation.

    “For now, we have a total of nine states including Kogi in attendance to participate in the 100-day RRI, others are: Oyo, Kwara, Osun, Cross River, Ekiti, Niger, Bauchi and Borno State,” Sinkaye said.

    Declaring the workshop open, Governor Yahaya Bello, expressed joy and optimism that the cash transfer program would serve as a foundation of hope for many vulnerable people and also reduce crime in the society.

    Bello, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Simon Achuba, pointed out that the program being executed by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration was highly commendable and should be applauded by all Nigerians.

    He however advised the implementators of the program to be God fearing, and do their best to make sure that the money get to the target poor people in the society.

     

  • Court remands suspected Boko Haram member in prison

    Court remands suspected Boko Haram member in prison

    A Lokoja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday ordered that a 27-year-old man, Adamu Anas Mohammed, be remanded in prison over alleged membership of Boko Haram terrorist group.

    Chief Magistrate Alhassan Husaini ordered that the accused be remanded in Koton-Karfe Prison pending further investigation into the alleged offence.

    Husaini adjourned the case until May 31.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Mohammed Abaji, told the court that Mohammed was arrested by security agents on April 6 at Obajana in Kogi, following intelligence report.

    According to the prosecutor, Muhammed is a member of Boko Haram sect from Jimeta in Adamawa State and had been severally arrested for alleged involvement in terrorist activities.

    Abaji further alleged that the accused recently moved to Obajana for undisclosed undercover terrorist mission being investigated by security operatives.

    He said the offence contravened Section 16 of the Terrorist (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013.

    Mohammed, who denied the allegation, said he used to worship with some members of the sect at NEPA Mosque in Jimeta, Yola.

    The accused added that although at a point, he was approached for enlistment by members of the sect, he allegedly declined.

    He admitted that he was arrested and remanded in prison for eight months in Adamawa over alleged membership of the sect but was later released.

    Mohammed said that he was on his way to Warri in Delta but made a brief stopover at Obajana when security operatives arrested him.

    He said he was neither on recruitment drive nor trying to propagate the beliefs of the sect in the state.

  • Kogi: NMA direct members to begin indefinite strike

    Kogi: NMA direct members to begin indefinite strike

    The Kogi State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association on Tuesday directed members to embark on an indefinite strike beginning 12 midnight of Wednesday, pending resolution with the state government on the payment of their outstanding salaries and arrears.

    This was contained in a communique issued at the end of an emergency congress in Lokoja, which was signed by the chairman and secretary of the association, Dr Tijani Godwin and Dr Zubair Kabiru, respectively.

    They expressed disappointment that despite suspending their earlier strike for two months to allow for peaceful resolutions of issues of special consideration to all doctors employed in 2015, as earlier documented in the memorandum of understanding signed on the 9th of January 2017 between the Kogi State government and NMA, failure to clear nine doctors after providing necessary documents as required by the screening committee, under-payment of salaries and arrears of doctors that have been paid, implementation of the new tax regime without commensurate promotion and stepping of doctors in the state civil service, and advertisement for employment of more doctors, despite inability of the administration to implement adjusted Consolidation Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS), the government failed to reciprocate the kind gesture.

    The NMA warned doctors who may decide to pick up employment with the state government to be cautious, as not all currently in its workforce have been so paid, nor has the government implement the adjusted (CONMESS).

    They demanded that, “The Kogi State government retain and pay the arrears of all the doctors employed in 2015 as they have waited patiently while providing healthcare service in the state for over 15 months without salaries, clear and pay the remaining nine doctors whose name did not appear on any list and issues of underpayment of salaries and arrears should be corrected forthwith”.

    The association called on the government to return the new tax regime to status quo, or promote doctors accordingly, before implementation, just as they called for uniform taxation for all the doctors in the Kogi State Civil Service.

    It would be recalled that the association in December 2016, embarked on a warning strike, which was suspended in January 2017 over unpaid salaries of doctors in the state.

  • Police arrest six suspects over assassination attempt on Sen. Melaye

    The police on Saturday said they had arrested six suspects in connection with an assassination attempt on Sen. Dino Melaye in his home in Kogi on April 15.

    The Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood, told newsmen in Abuja that the arrested suspects included a Kogi local government sole administrator and his orderly.

    Moshood said that items recovered included one Hyundai Ambulance bus allegedly used in conveying the attackers, five AK 47 rifles, One Beretta pistol and two locally made single barrel shot guns.

    Others were 25 expended shells of 7.62 mm ammunition, 13 expended shells of 9mm ammunition and 12 expended shells of gauge cartridge.

    Moshood said that the firearms had been sent for ballistic expert examination, test and analysis at the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department in Lagos.

    He said that following the attack on Melaye, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris swiftly deployed Police Special Tactical Squad (STS) team to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.

    According to the police spokesman, the suspects used the telephone of the Sole Administrator’s orderly in planning the failed assassination on Melaye.

    Moshood said one of the suspects had confessed to the crime and admitted to have been sent by the sole administrator.

    “He was arrested with a serious criminal link to other active members of the gang,’’ said the Force spokesman.

    He said efforts were being intensified to arrest other suspects at large, adding that the suspects would be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.

     

  • FG to save over N34billion in dredging of River Niger

    FG to save over N34billion in dredging of River Niger

    The Federal Government Friday said it will save over N24billion as it commences maintenance dredging of River Niger from Ajaokuta to Onitsha.

    This was disclosed during the official flag off of the dredging exercise along Ajaokuta Waterways channel.

    It is believed that the exercise which will be done by the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) will boost trade in Kogi State and it’s environs.

    Speaking, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi said: “I was told that the last dredging exercise cost N44 billion and the federal government was only able to pay N34billion.

    “With the flag-off of this maintenance exercise that will be done by NIWA, the government will be saving that N34billion. NIWA will use N10bn and the remaining N24 will be channeled to other sectors of the economy like the construction of road from Abaaji to Lokoja.

    Amaechi also ordered NIWA to include two items in the 2018 budget. The items are; the purchase of bigger dredger and allowance for staff of NIWA separate from their salary.

    He also urged the host community to give the government the enabling environment to develop the sector.

    Also speaking, the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello said the dredging exercise will cover a distance of 162km from Ajaokuta to Onitsha.

    On it’s essence, Bello said: “It is intended to keep the waterways between the two locations navigable all year round, thus improving transport and trade.

    “It will reduce the menace of flooding on our communities by clearing the waterbeds of obstructions.”

    The governor also expressed optimism that an Environmental impact Assessments have been duly conducted to ameliorate any adverse effect of the process to native communities, their farmlands and fishing places.

    The governor also urged the minister to advocate for Kogi State in FEC.

    He said: “We want the Honourable Minister to help us reiterate to the Federal Executive Council that Ajaokuta Steel Complex must be resuscitated and maximised immediately.

    “Thousands of Hectares of valuable land beldnging to Kogi State is occupied by it. Many of our communities were displaced to make room for it. It is thus urgently important that it begins to give back to Kogi State, and by extension, Nigeria as soon as possible.

    “Kogi State offers several quickwins for your assignment at the Federal Ministry of Transport. We share boundaries with 10 States and the Federal Capital Territory.

    “We are the intersection at the centre of the Nation. Transport, trade and commerce can be quickly boosted across the various parts of this country if you place a transport hub especially land and waterways, in Kogi State which will radiate outward to every part of the Nigeria.”

    Commenting also, the NIWA boss Boss Mustapha said: “On assumption of office a few months ago, I realised that the Authority own a dredger which was on lease. As the need for maintenance dredging of Ajaokuta/Onitsha waterways had become imminent, especially as it was affecting the conduct of businesses on our waterways.

    “In search for solutions, ‎I realised that NIWA possesses the necessary manpower and technical know-how to carry out the maintenance dredging of channels as opposed to contracting the task out,  incuring large expenses in the face of dwindling resources and increasing staff redundancy among other things.

    “The current exercise is a value focused project aimed at providing navigable channels on routes with proven economic activities.

    “The estimated removal of 523, 000m of dredged material will create deeper channels suitable for the current movement of ceramic tiles and granites from Ajaokuta to Onitsha, clay from Ozubulu to Ajaokuta among others.

    “Hopefully, the next and final phase of our campaign will focus more on river training works such as channel contraction/straightening, shore protection, installation of barrages and groynes, cross dams, bottom panels with accompanying navigation like lightening for night navigation and provision of security and communication installations.”

     

  • Ministerial nominee: Kogi APC wants Ocheni replaced

    Ministerial nominee: Kogi APC wants Ocheni replaced

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Kogi State Chapter has petitioned the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki and other party elders calling for the replacement of the state’s ministerial nominee, Steven Ocheni with that of Alhj. Usman Naibi Maiyaga.

    In a four-page-petition released Thursday and signed by the State Chairman of the party, Alhj. Haddy Ametuo and 40 other party chieftains appealed to the Senate President to right the wrong done to Maiyaga, alleging that his name was wrongful substituted and replaced with that of Steven Ocheni as replacement for Late James Ocholi.

    “With utmost respect Sir, we the undersigned Executive Members of All Progressives Congress (APC), Kogi State chapter hereby officially write you over the malicious and wrongful substitution and replacement of Alhaji Idris M. Usman with the name of Prof. Steven Ocheni as the ministerial nominee representing Kogi State,” a statement in Abuja on Tuesday said.

    The statement said the state party unanimously distanced itself from Prof. Ocheni, stating that it was the collective resolve of the state party after the death of Ocholi for Maiyaga to be nominated after wide range consultations.

    According to the statement, after nominating Maiyaga which was supposed to be followed by Senate screening was replaced by Ocheni who was not even a party member.

    “We made further inquiries to that effect, we noticed that a few politicians from the state that are of course leading voices for our country’s democracy are indeed behind the unprofessional replacement of the people’s choice and mandate” the party said.

    The party in the statement condemned the nomination of Ocheni which it described as imposition even when he is missing in Kogi political firmament.

    While maintaining that Ocheni is not an APC card carry member, the party jointly backed Maiyaga for the exalted position, describing him as a good party man and grassroots moblizer who had been with them from CPC to APC.

    “Having been a founder/convener of kogi chapter of ACN, CPC AND now APC, 2007 governorship flag-bearer for ACN, 2011 Gubernatorial flag-bearer for CPC and 2015 Gubernatorial contender for APC kogi State who was later substituted by late Abubakar Audu also in 2015 presidential primary/main election coordinator of Buhari support in kogi state.

    “We choose him base on his credentials being a grass root disposition and capacity to preserve kogi state party structure came to limelight during the last presidential election in Kogi where we secure resounding victory for his excellency, president Muhammadu Buhari.”

     

  • Staff screening: Kogi to prosecute workers with fake certificates

    Staff screening: Kogi to prosecute workers with fake certificates

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Tuesday received the final report of the staff screening exercise, with a vow to retrieve salaries and allowances collected over the years by workers with fake certificates.

    He also said that workers that gained employment into the state civil service with fake certificates would be prosecuted.

    The governor, however, said that workers found guilty of altering their birth dates would be pardoned.

    Bello, who commended the committee that carried out the exercise, said that issues relating to the 14-months verification exercise had finally been laid to rest with the submission of the report.

    The governor promised to implement the recommendations in the report, and described the exercise as one of the “surgical operations” his administration had to embark upon toward effective service delivery.

    Earlier, Mr John Ayuba, Chairman of the staff screening and verification appeal committee, had said that the committee was initially expected to attend to 32,753 workers, but ended up with 39,144

    Ayuba, Director of Studies at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), said that the committee identified 44 problems that were common to workers that appeared before it.

    He listed the problems to include fake certificates, irregular promotion and appointments, disregard for civil service rules, inappropriate qualifications for people already in high places, among others.

    The Chairman cited the case of some civil servants with primary school leaving certificates, who rose to become directors, and described the situation as strange.

    In his remarks, Chairman of the Kogi chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Onu Edoka, said that the report was inconclusive as teachers and pensioners, who formed the bulk of complainants, were not captured .

    He pleaded with the governor to temper justice with mercy in the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report.

  • NBA wants Court of Appeal established in Kogi

    NBA wants Court of Appeal established in Kogi

    The four branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Kogi, on Wednesday appealed to the President of the Court of Appeal to establish a division of the court in Lokoja, the state capital.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the association has already established a special committee to pursue the matter.

    Mr Emmanuel Haruna, chairman of the committee, which comprises chairmen of Lokoja, Idah, Okene and Kabba branches of NBA, emphasised the need for the court during a visit to the Chief Judge of Kogi, Justice Nasir Ajanah, in Lokoja.

    Haruna held that establishing a division of the appellate court in Kogi was long overdue, pointing out that more than 50 percent of appeals handled by the Abuja division of the court were from Kogi.

    “Kogi has met all the requirements for the establishment of the court. The state was created 26 years, but it is yet to have an appeal court, while states like Ekiti, created five years after, already have a division of the court,” he argued.

    Haruna bemoaned a situation where lawyers and litigants had often traveled to the Appeal Court in Abuja only to discover that their cases had not been listed for mention.

    Responding, Justice Ajanah commended the committee for taking up the matter in the interest of their members and litigants, saying that the need for a division of the Appeal Court in Lokoja had been “on for a very long time”.

    Ajanah said that he had met and discussed extensively with justices of the appeal court on the issue, adding that the state was requested to construct a befitting court building and accommodation for the judges.

    The Chief Judge assured the NBA that he would do everything within his powers to actualise the dream, but challenged lawyers in the state to sit up and minimise incessant appeals for adjournment of cases.

    He promised to take up the issue with Gov. Yahaya Bello to solicit support in meeting the requirements, and urged the committee to also meet the President of the Appeal Court on the matter.

     

  • 11 die in Kogi auto crash

    At least eleven people lost their lives Wednesday in a ghastly motor accident at Ohiana area, along the Okene-Auchi road in Kogi State.

    An eyewitness  account corroborated by the Okene Unit Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), had it that the accident which ocured around 6am resulted from a head-on collision between a Toyota Hiace bus marked Delta AYB 939 XP, belonging to Big Joe Transport Company and a cement laden trailer.

    The unit commander, Dr Sunday Ogungbemi said that preliminary investigation revealed that the Toyota bus with 22 passengers on board was heading to Warri from Abuja when the accident occurred.

    He disclosed that the investigation showed that the accident might have been caused by over-speeding by the driver of the bus who lost control and crashed into the trailer truck that was coming from Okpella in Edo State.

    The commander, whose unit carried out the evacuation of the victims stated that 11corpses were deposited at the morgue of the Okene General Hospital, while 11 other passengers that survived sustained various degree of injuries and have been taken to the hospital in Okene for medical attention.

    He cautioned motorists not to see the road as a race track for unhealthy competition, adding that the accident has again justified reasons the FRSC is canvassing for the installation of speed limit device on vehicles, in order to mitigate unnecessary deaths on our roads.

    He called on road users to be more careful during the Easter season, and advised passengers not to leave their fate in the hands of drivers.