The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kogi State

  • 90 % suicide cases traceable to depression – Experts

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), on Friday in Lokoja said over 90 per cent of suicide cases reported in the country were traceable to depression.

    The Kogi Acting Chairman of NMA, Dr Godwin Tijani, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja on the sidelines of this year’s “World Health Day.”

    Tijani stated that this year’s theme: “Depression, let’s talk,” was chosen by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to draw the world’s attention to the global burden of this common mental disorder.

    He commended the WHO for the initiative behind the theme, stressing that it would help to reduce incidence of suicide and attempt suicide in Nigeria and world as a whole.

    He, therefore, called for urgent need for the government to create more awareness on how to discourage the trend, prevent and treat those affected by the mental health condition.

    The chairman also urged government to reduce to the barest minimum the problem of stigma associated with depression.

    Also speaking, Dr Daniel Ajogbon , a Consultant Psychiatrist, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Lokoja, said depression was the major cause of ill health and disability in the world.

    He said nobody would want to come out in this part of the world to report being depressed, hence the need to encourage people to talk about their conditions and best ways they could be addressed by the society.

    “The latest statistics from WHO says about 322 million people are depressed globally, and close to 30 million suffers depression in the African Region.

    “It is against this backdrop we have to galvanise help, encourage people to talk about the way they feel, because to be depressed is not a crime.”

    He highlighted vulnerability, genetics, social, economic insolvency, unemployment and reliance on drugs as some of the factors that caused depression in the world.

    The expert said symptoms such as sadness, weakness, loss of weight, and interest, thought of death, negative thoughts, that persist for weeks, were pointers to depression and such person should be encouraged to seek help on time.

    “So, government must plan ahead by providing quick intervention when people intend to take their lives either in their homes or in public places.

    “The government should do more to get avenue for people to be educated, create awareness and make facilities available for people to get help they need on mental illness.

    “The area of mental illness seems to have a little setback, as there is no health without mental health,” Ajogbon said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the World Health Day is marked globally on April 7 of every year.

  • 58 students renounce cultism in Kogi

    Fifty-eight (58) students from different tertiary institutions in Kogi state on Tuesday renounced their membership of different cult groups at the state headquarters of the Nigeria Police, Lokoja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 58 students, under the aegis of Campus Cult Eradication Foundation (CCEF), declared their new status.

    They also pledged to partner with the police to fight crime and criminality in the state.

    According to the former cult members, they were misled into joining the fraternities.

    Mr Wilson Inalegwu, the Commissioner of Police in the state, while addressing the repentant cult members, said that the police would partner with them in the fight to reduce crime and criminality in the state.

    ”We will be very glad to see more members renounce their membership and join us to enable us operate on the same page.

    “Cultism does not make you great; it makes you less; it also brings you down.

    ”Just have confidence in yourself; I can see police commissioners, governors and great men among you.

    “I commend your boldness and initiative to renounce your membership,” Inalegwu said.

    Earlier, Mr Samuel Ejembi, National Coordinator CCEF, said the body in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force had the task of receiving renounced cult members with a view to rehabilitating and integrating them back into society.

    Ejembi said that cultism was a threat to peace and security, adding that its members had often resorted to robbery, kidnapping, drug dealing and thuggery among others.

    ”Our tertiary institutions have become recruitment grounds and barracks for different cult groups to run their deadly activities. Hundreds die every year as a result of cult-related clashes.

    “A lasting solution is what we want; whereby these youths will come out on their own and say ‘No to Cultism’ just as these ones have done,’’ the National Coordinator said.

    One of the students, Maxwell Onimisi of Kogi State Polytechnic, expressed his gratitude to God and the CCEF, saying, “I have decided to be useful to myself, my state and my country.”

    Dr Vincent Georgewill, Dean, Student Affairs and Deputy Registrar of Salem University, Lokoja, commended the students for the step they took.

    ”God is interested in repentance. Here we have 58 children, who have decided to turn a new leaf. God will accept you back in Jesus’ name”, he said.

  • Minister calls for improved surveillance on nation’s highways

    Minister calls for improved surveillance on nation’s highways

    National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Tuesday in Abuja, called for improved surveillance by relevant agencies on highways to stem rate of accidents.

    He made the call in a condolence letter to Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi on the death of Dr Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo, on behalf of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

    The chairman said that the circumstances that led to Adinoyi-Ojo’s death were a painful reminder of the need for improved policing of the nation’s highways. 

    He said that such policies were necessary to rid the roads of insecurity and incidents that had led to avoidable human casualties and loss of properties on the nation’s highways.

    Odigie-Oyegun said that the party’s leadership received the news of the tragic death of Adinoyi-Ojo with grief.

    He condoled with the Government and people of Kogi and the immediate family of Adinoyi-Ojo, adding that he was a veteran journalist and a frontline member of the APC.

    “The death of Adinoyi-Ojo who was a governorship aspirant in the APC’s last Kogi primary election has left us with a great void and deep feeling of grief.

    “He was a versatile, brilliant and celebrated member of the media intelligentsia, literary community and academia who made indelible marks in the various fields locally and internationally.

    “Nigeria and indeed the international community has lost an illustrious son,’’ he said.

    He added that in the course of the deceased’s professional, national and international service, he brought great honour and pride to Nigeria.

    The chairman added that Adinoyi-Ojo had a meritorious and unblemished record of service in the media, saying that his articles, biographies and other literary works remained a collector’s item and reference point.

    “Prayers and fond memories are what we have to remember our dearly departed, please accept my sincere condolences,’’ he stated.

    He prayed God Almighty to give the late Adinoyi-Ojo eternal rest, and his family, particularly his three children, the fortitude to bear the pain.

    [news_box style=”2″ display=”tag” link_target=”_blank” tag=”Lagos-Ibadan-Expressway” count=”8″ show_more=”on”]

  • Insecurity: Ebira wants kogi security apparatus overhauled

    Bothered over the persistent security situation in kogi state,the Ebira peoples Association has called for an immediate overhaul of the various security apparatus in kogi state in order to stem the tide of insecurity in the state.

    The President -General of the  Association, Musa Abulrahman Adeiza who spoke with newsmen Tuesday in Abuja on the worrying situation said members of the association both home and abroad are seriously concerned about the rampant cases of mindless killings,kidnapping, robberies and other violent crimes that have come to define everyday life in the state.
    “We are under siege in kogi central, the situation is so bad that nearly everyone in kogi central now lives in absolute fear, sons and daughters of kogi central who live outside the state are now scared of coming home
    ” Both federal and State government should make concerted efforts to reinforce and review security measures in terms of material, personnel and modus operandi in order to safeguard lives and properties in kogi central
    “Security should be intelligence driven and surveillance should be on 24 hour duty across the land instead of the present situation whereby most hotspots are left unmanned through most hours of the day,” he said.
    Adeiza added that for peace to be restored to the state, the Federal Government should urgently complete the moribound Ajaokuta steel company to reduce youth unemployment  which is partly responsible for the rising crime.
    “The state Government should construct police posts at various dark spots in districts so that criminals will no longer hide there,” he said
    He also urged the state government to look into all issues of state civil service screening exercise so as to reduce the frustration arising from their and the non payment of salaries.
  • ASUU strike cripples activities In Kogi varsity

    ASUU strike cripples activities In Kogi varsity

    The strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kogi State University has started taking its toll on the institution.

    The non-Academic staff of the University had earlier joined other tertiary institutions in a strike action called by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising all the Tertiary institutions in the State.

    vThe union had declared an indefinite strike last Friday demanding the immediate reconstitution of the university’s governing council and the payment of eight months arrears of salaries to all categories of academic staff.

    Addressing reporters in Lokoja, the chairman of the union Dr. Daniel Aina explained that the absence of governing council for more than one year had affected the institution negatively that it could no longer function statutorily.

    “In view of the demand for the immediate reconstitution of the university’s Governing Council, recent developments on our campus suggest that the lack of the council appear to be a ploy to erode the university autonomy which stands it out from all other institutions. ASUU-KSU will resist this.

  • Kogi people suffering under Bello, Faleke tells Presidency

    Kogi people suffering under Bello, Faleke tells Presidency

    A member of the House of Representatives and former contender of Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello’s position, Hon. James Falake, on Tuesday led a delegation of Kogi State indigenes to the Presidency to pass a vote of no confidence on Governor Yahaya Bello.

    Faleke, who led the group comprising former ministers, former ambassadors, former National Assembly members and other critical stakeholders from the State to the office of the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, said that the State has stopped working since Bello assumed office.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the closed door meeting, Faleke said that the Governor’s unsavory actions were inimical to the future of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    According to him, the people are dying of hunger as a result of the leadership style being adopted by Governor Bello.

    He said: “We came to the presidency to let federal government know what is happening in Kogi state as regards the fortunes of the party. The way it is dwindling day by day as regards the civil servants, the welfare of the people and their relationship with the state government.

    “We have come to let the presidency know so that when elections come and the party losses, no one is to be blamed. We want intervention from the federal government to find a way forward in this situation.

    “The governor of the state should recognize those who work for the party and make the party to be successful. It is one thing to be victorious at the court level and another thing to carry the people along. I want to use this opportunity to urge the governor to carry the people along.

    “This is the fifth time he is setting up a committee to review staff strength with so many screenings every day. People are dying. You ask people to come from the entire 21 local government to Lokoja to present their documents; some of them are dying on road accident.

    “My concern is that if he is too sure, he should set up a better frame rather than this recurrent approach. For all the committees that sent report to him, he has condemned their report and he is the one that set up these committees. Now another committee has been set up again for the same purpose.

    “We get calls every day for welfare from civil servants, school children that their parents have not been paid for months. So, we want him to stop this because this is not the only way to stop ghost workers and it shouldn’t be the last. I’m not against eradication of ghost workers but it shouldn’t be done to the detriment of the people,” he stated

    He said that the delegation was satisfied with the response of the Acting President during the meeting.

    “Of course, we are satisfied. It is a work in progress. It is not a fait accompli”, he said.

    A former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdullahi Bello Okene said that the delegation had representatives from across the state.

    “Yes of course. You can see among the delegation here are former ministers, former ambassadors, former National Assembly members across the state that are critical stakeholders. The leadership is all here cutting across the entire state”, he said.

    Faleke was a running mate to late Audu Abubakar, the governorship candidate of APC that died before he was declared winner in the election that brought Bello into office as governor.

    Falake had urged the courts to declare him winner of the election on the grounds that the votes cast for late Abubakar were his automatic inheritance as running mate rather than ceding it to Governor Bello who the party threw up as substitute. But the court ruled in favour of Bello.

  • MMM: Kogi youths celebrate return of Ponzi scheme

    MMM: Kogi youths celebrate return of Ponzi scheme

    Youths all around the Kogi state capital city of Lokoja on Saturday were at several beer parlours to celebrate the return of the controversial Mavrodi Mondial Movement (MMM), a Ponzi scheme that froze the accounts of 3 million Nigerian members in December, causing panic and anxiety.

    The scam returned yesterday, a day before it’s initial comeback date of 14th January.

    Most of the revellers were students of the state-owned polytechnic in Lokoja.

    They expressed surprise about the comeback of the pyramid money investment scheme, that promises players 30 percent return, a day ahead of schedule.

    Segun Ademola, a student, said he had invested over N300,000 in his MMM account.

    He said he was glad to have the operation bounce back. He has a lot of high hopes, that he would reap his investment.

    ” I am the happiest person on earth today, God bless Mavrodi,” he said.

    Fola Owobo, another student, said she used her school fees to provide help to some other person she did not know at all.

    She said she was confused when the scheme was shut down on 13 December 2016.

    She was relieved now that the MMM was back in operation.‎

    Michael Olubola, another student said he has learnt a lesson. He said as soon as he collects his money, he would ‎never try providing help again.

    He said he almost had hypertension in the last four weeks.

    He urged his colleagues to shun free money and embrace hard work.

    He said the free money promised by MMM almost caused him his life.

    Yet another student, Wunmi Atte, said ‎she was convinced that the MMM was a fraud.

    “Sooner or later it would fold up”, she said, as she wondered where the scheme gets the money it promises members

  • 27 ABS players, 7 officials arrive Lokoja for camping

    27 ABS players, 7 officials arrive Lokoja for camping

    Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) FC of Ilorin, have been moved to a closed camp in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital for its final phase of its preparations for the new season.

    A total of 27 players and seven officials arrived at Lokoja on Tuesday, where the team is expected to play some friendly matches.

    The team will spend no fewer than 10 days in the Confluence city to intensify its preparedness for the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season, which will kick off on Jan. 14.

    Addressing the players before their departure from Ilorin to Lokoja on Tuesday, the Team’s Director of Football, Alloy Chukwuemeka, said the club would fulfil all its obligations to the players.

    He told the players to take their assignments serious because they had a big game in their hands on the opening day of the season with Akwa United FC in Ilorin on Sunday, Jan. 15.

    “All we ask of you is to play football only if we ask you to do any other thing than playing football don’t oblige.

    “Remember we are now in Premier League, so you have to double your efforts in whatever you do.

    “We will ensure we make you comfortable at all times, please let us ensure we do our work diligently too,” Chukwuemeka said.

  • Bello presents 2017 budget to Assembly

    Bello presents 2017 budget to Assembly

    Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Thursday presented an Appropriation Bill of N174, 851 to the state House of Assembly for deliberation and approval for the 2017 fiscal year.

    Presenting the budget on the floor of the House at a special session in Lokoja, Bello said the budget was made up of N58.5 billion (33.47 percent) Recurrent Expenditure and N116.3 (66.53 per cent) Capital Expenditure.

    He said that the total budget package for 2017 tagged; “’Budget of New Direction’’’ was N74.8 billion or (74.8 per cent) above the N99.998 billion appropriated for 2016.

    The governor said that the budget was based on estimated recurrent revenue of N81.666 billion and estimated Capital Receipt of N93:185 making up the N174.851 billion.

    The estimated revenue of N81.666 billion according to him consists of N32.181 billion from internal sources; N35.3 billion as the state’s share 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 capital receipt of N93.185, he explained, comprised N63.185 billion Capital Receipt analysis by economic and N30 billion as Aid and Grants.

    Bello said that the 2017 budget was prepared in line with Domesticated National Chart of Account, Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Muti-Year Budget Framework (MYBF) which outlined key initiatives, assumptions and expected achievements of MDAs.

    The governor described the budget as a balanced one as “Our total estimated revenue (Recurrent revenue and capital receipts) and our total estimated expenditure (Recurrent and capital) stand at N174,851,544,523.’’

    Bello noted that the specific fiscal objective of his administration and the state was an effective allocation of scarce resources to identified critical programmes and objectives.

    Earlier, Speaker of the House, Alhaji Umar Imam said the house would strive through its committees to give the budget accelerated consideration to ensure the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

  • Excitement as Kogi clears salary backlogs

    Excitement as Kogi clears salary backlogs

    Commercial banks’ Automated Teller Machines (ATM) were on Wednesday thronged for cash withdrawals by civil servants in Lokoja while celebrating the clearance of their salary backlogs by the state government.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the government had promised to clear the backlog salaries of all the genuine workers and pensioners in the state by Dec. 20.

    NAN Correspondent, who monitored the development, noted that bank premises and ATMs in Lokoja metropolis were crowded with civil servants waiting patiently with excitement for their turn to get cash withdrawals.

    Some of them who spoke with NAN expressed gratitude to the governor for fulfilling his promise to clear their backlog salaries.

    Mr Al-Hassan Jimoh, a worker at the Ministry of Information, said he was very happy that he got 9 months’ salary alert on Tuesday.

    “In spite of all the hardships, I believed in Gov. Bello because I was convinced that he was doing the right thing,” Jimoh said.

    A Level 12 officer, at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Monday Eleshin, said he received alert for 10 months’ salary backlogs on Tuesday.

    “This government has really tried through the screening because some people were collecting up to 30 persons’ salaries which is what they are investigating. I am grateful to our governor,” Eleshin said.

    Mrs Kemi Dada, a Sanitation Board official, said though the screening was painful for a while, it has finally yielded positive results.

    “We thank Gov. Yahaya Bello for his commitment to making good his promises by paying all genuine workers in the state; my salary has been paid up to December,” Dada said.

    However, some local government workers and pensioners in the state told NAN that they were yet to receive any payment alert.

    Munirat Oju, a worker at Lokoja Local Government, said she had not been paid since February even when her name had been cleared during the screening since August.

    She urged the state government to prevail on the local government administrators to clear the salary backlog of all the genuine workers at the local government level.

    A pensioner, Mr Usman Jimoh,  said he had not been paid for 12 months in spite of his clearance during the screening and verification.

    Jimoh, who is a retired Permanent Secretary, said he retired in active service as required by law in July 2016, after 35 years of active service but had never received any pension till date.

    “The government is owing me 12 months salary backlog; Seven months salary in active service from Jan. to July and 5 months pensions from Aug. to Dec. 2016. I have been living by people’s help.

    “Though the government is doing a good job to clear the mess in the civil service, a lot of people have suffered unnecessarily in this case.

    “If you are looking for ghost workers, I do not think the permanent secretaries should be the target; it is unfair, we are suffering unnecessarily,” Jimoh said.

    Isaac Adeleye, another pensioner, said the last pension he received was in February 2016 in spite of being screened thrice.

    “I do not think any genuine civil servant and pensioner should be deprived of their entitlement because it is our sweat,” Adeleye said.