The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lokoja

  • Festus Iyayi: Kogi Govt. house driver sentenced to seven years imprisonment

    Festus Iyayi: Kogi Govt. house driver sentenced to seven years imprisonment

    A driver with the Government House, Lokoja, Kogi State, Danladi Baba has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment for reckless driving and causing the death of Prof. Festus Iyayi, in a car crash in November, 2013.

    Iyayi, a former Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) national President, died in an auto crash involving one of the cars in the convoy of the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada.

    Alhassan Husaini of Lokoja Chief Magistrate Court II, in his judgement in one-count charge of causing death by dagerous and reckless driving preferred against the driver, found him guilty of the offence and thereby convicted  him.

    Husaini said that the penal clause under section 5 of the Federal Highway Act CAP F. 13 of 2004 being mandatory position coupled with the severity of the offence tied the hands of the court.

    “I have no option than to sentence you, Danladi Baba, to seven years imprisonment without an option of fine”, the Chief Magistrate ruled.

    He used the occasion to caution VIP drivers on recklessness, especially while in convoys, saying, “What is regrettable in this case is the serious abuse of privilege of late, by VIP convoys.

    Read Also: Why we’re not shutting premises – Kogi revenue service

    “These siren-blaring convoys force on-coming and other categories of vehicles off the roads in a manner that exposes law-abiding road users to hazards”.

    The convict, Baba, who burst into tears upon the pronouncement of his sentence, was said to have committed the offence at about 11.30am, on November 12, 2013 on the Federal Highway, in Banda area of Lokoja.

    According to the prosecution, Baba, while driving a Toyota Hilux pick-up van, belonging to the Kogi State government, on the convoy of the then governor of Kogi, Capt. Idris Wada, drove dangerously and recklessly without regard for other road users.

    The action, according to the prosecution made him to have a near head-on collision with the Toyota Hiace belonging to UNIBEN local chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), traveling to Kano.

    The bus, in an attempt to swerve and and avoid a head-on collision, skidded and rolled over several times leading to the death of Prof. Iyayi, and as well injured Dr Mrs Ngozi Iloh and Dr Enchanted Anthony.

    According to the prosecution, Iyayi who was held down by the seat belt, holding some papers, lost his life as all attempts to revive him failed.

    “He was called several times but couldn’t answer. He was taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Lokoja and later, the Specialist Hospital, Lokoja where he was confirmed dead.

  • Why we’re not shutting premises – Kogi revenue service

    Why we’re not shutting premises – Kogi revenue service

    The Chairman of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), Alhaji Yakubu Oseni has declared that the state government and its tax collection authority has no interest shutting businesses.

    He however urged residents to pay their taxes appropriately.

    He stated this yesterday in Lokoja, at a one-day tax awareness seminar, held at the Confluence Beach Hotel.

    According to him, it is only when residents discharge their civic responsibility by paying their tax that they can question government on how fund is expended.

    According to him: “No one will ask any resident to pay what they did not earn. We have evolved a very friendly approach through which tax payment can be staggered based on agreement reached with the tax administrator”.

    The Director of Tax Audit and Compliance, Alhaji Salihu Sule advocated proper record keeping by business owners, which he said will prevent disproportionate taxation.

    He stressed that taxation was needed to provide security, infrastructure and rejuvenate the economy, noting that government cannot continue to depend on ever declining revenue from crude oil.

    Read Also:Kogi West Senatorial poll: NJC panel probes judge

  • Kogi ADP inaugurates online agricultural market place

    Kogi ADP inaugurates online agricultural market place

    The Kogi Agricultural Development Project ( ADP ) on Tuesday inaugurated an internet marketing platform to connect farmers in the state to the outside world to enable them to sell their produce.

    The Managing Director of the ADP, Mr Oyisi Okatahi, said at the inauguration in Lokoja that the aim was to enable the farmers to sell their produce at good prices without the interference of the middle men.

    Okatahi said the platform named: “Kogi Online Agricultural Market Place,” would also help the farmers to preserve their goods as the buyers could off-take the produce even before the harvest.

    Read also: Kogi: PDP fault alleged planned sale of govt. property

    He said that the agricultural market place could be accessed on “kogiadp.org,” pointing out that the platform was open to other farmers in the country.

    According to him, the strategy is for the extension agents to help farmers list their farm produce online and get the best prices for them.

    Okatahi said that the Gov. Yahaya Bello had given the ADP a marching order to implement a project that would benefit the people every month.

    According to him, Bello’s administration is very committed to making Kogi the foremost agricultural state in Nigeria.

    “We started in November 2017 with a programme, “Kogi Agricultural Summit” and in December followed with “Rice Processing at ADP Office.”

    “In January 2018 we had “Cassava City” and now in February we are having “Online Agricultural Market Place,” Okatahi said.

    The managing director advised youths in the state to key into the agricultural revolutionary programmes of the State and Federal Governments.

    He said the programmes were sure ways of gaining employment rather than waiting for white collar jobs.

    NAN

  • Kogi to evolve Cassava Value Chain Policy

    Kogi to evolve Cassava Value Chain Policy

    The Kogi Government has partnered with Synergos Nigeria to evolve a Cassava Value Chain policy as part of efforts to reposition the agriculture sector in line with the Federal Government’s policy.

    Mr Victor Adejoh, Synergos Nigeria’s Field Manager for Kogi, Benue and Kaduna states, implementing the State Partnership for Agriculture (SPA), disclosed this in an interview on Monday in Lokoja.

    Adejoh said the government has also concluded arrangements to organise a Mini Summit on Cassava from where the policy would evolve.

    He said that aside evolving a policy on cassava value chain, the summit was also aimed at promoting the Agriculture sector towards eventual diversification of the economy.

    Read also: Kogi ’s IGR hits N1b monthly

    According to him, the summit, a brainchild of the Agricultural Vision Group ( AVG ) and Agricultural Innovation Group ( AIG ) of the SPA, will also help reposition the state on the world map in Cassava Value Chain.

    “The mini-summit will through a participatory and inclusive panelist engagement, elicit inclusive steps to evolve a Cassava Value Chain Policy to position Kogi on the world map in the Cassava Value Chain”, he said.

    Adejoh said that the summit would be chaired and co-chaired by the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Kehinde Oloruntoba and the All Farmers Association of Nigeria ( AFAN ) President in the state, Mrs Rabi Emaiku respectively.

    He said that the Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with key ministries, departments and Agencies of government and non-state actors in the Cassava value chain were promoters of the mini Cassava summit billed for Jan.24.

    The Synergos Field Manager said Kogi Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Development Project ( ADP ), Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the State Bureau for Public Private Partnership ( BPPP ) would be participating in the summit.

    Other participants, he said, included Kogi Chapter of AFAN, FADAMA, Nigerian Cassava Growers Association, CrestAgro Farms Ltd., Unicane Ltd, Bank of Agriculture and NIRSAL.

    Also listed are Kogi Network of NGOs, Kogi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agricultural ( KOCIMMA ), Federal Ministry of Environment and Small-Scale Women Farmers Organization of Nigeria ( SWOFON )

    NAN

  • Medical Doc. tested positive to Lassa fever in Kogi

    Medical Doc. tested positive to Lassa fever in Kogi

    Kogi State has recorded a fresh outbreak of Lassa fever as a medical doctor working with the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) , Lokoja has been confirmed to be a victim of the disease.

    Dr Olatunde Alabi, the Medical Director of FMC, who briefed newsmen on Saturday in Lokoja, said that the male doctor was diagnosed of the disease on Jan. 19.

    He said that the victim’s blood sample was sent to the Federal Medical Centre, Irrua, Edo State for laboratory analysis, adding that it tested positive.

    Alabi said that the 30-year-old doctor was in the early hours of Saturday taken to Irrua for further treatment.

    According to the medical director, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the state Ministry of Health and other stakeholders have been informed of the development and are already assisting the Centre in various ways.

    He said that all the people that came in contact with the sick doctor, both at home and work had been placed under surveillance.

    Alabi said that the centre in partnership with relevant stakeholders had commenced contact tracing to enable it trace the source of the disease and ascertain if there was any other victim within the community where the doctor resides.

    He said that the Centre would also embark on health education for its members of staff to prevent human to human transmission of the disease.

    The medical expert urged members of the public to endeavour to report cases of fever early to the nearest health facility for early treatment.

    He also appealed to residents to take urgent steps to eliminate rats in their houses and surroundings, saying that foodstuff like garri, rice, beans, maize should be kept in air tight containers to prevent contamination by rats.

    It would be recalled that the centre in 2017 handled three cases of Lassa fever, two of the victims died while one survived.

  • Yuletide: NURTW urges members to drive with caution

    Yuletide: NURTW urges members to drive with caution

    Mr Garba Ladi, the Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW ),  Okene branch, Kogi has cautioned drivers against reckless driving during the yuletide to prevent accidents.

    The NURTW chairman gave the warning in an interview in Lokoja on Tuesday.

    Ladi warned drivers to avoid speeding and obey traffic laws before, during and after the yuletide.

    He also urged passengers to be alert always by ensuring they caution drivers when they violate traffic regulations.

    According to him, lives and properties of our members and passengers are more precious to the union and the nation, hence they need to work together to prevent accidents.

    “We should, therefore, not kill ourselves and others because of carelessness on the roads.

    “Our drivers must not be reckless behind the wheels and passengers must also caution drivers whenever they observe that drivers were becoming reckless on the roads for the benefit of all.

    “Safety is number one in our job. We can stop all preventable human and material losses on our roads.

    Read also: Yuletide: FG warns security agencies against traffic law violations

    “It is the union’s responsibility to sensitise its members on the need to shun reckless driving, obey traffic laws and traffic wardens in order to prevent motor accidents,’’ he said.

    The chairman, who also urged drivers to be patient on the road, cautioned against driving under the influence of alcohol.

    “Our members should shun hard drugs and all tendencies to be in haste or trying to intimidate and compete with other road users without regard to their safety,’’ he said.

    Ladi, however, urged the three tiers of government to improve on road infrastructure for the safety of the people.

    He also appealed to the Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) to be more visible on the roads and do more sensitisation on road safety.

    Commenting on the fuel scarcity, the union leader urged the Federal Government to put an end to it, with a view to reducing the hardship being faced by passengers and motorists presently.

    He appealed to all drivers to always check their tyres, engine oil and other necessary parts before embarking on any journey.

    The chairman wished all drivers and commuters the best of the season, urging Nigerians to drive with care.

    NAN

  • Lokoja boat regatta takes off

    Lokoja boat regatta takes off

    Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, has launched its boat regatta in which several boatmen paddle for a prize at the confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue.

    The Pata waterfront and its sorroundings were agog with residents who trooped in to be part of the maiden Lokoja Boat Regatta Festival put together by the Lokoja Forum of Patriots (LFP).

    The festival, which was in collaboration with the Lokoja Traditional Council, and which showcased the diverse cultures of the people, featured events like swimming and rowing competitions among the seven districts, while trophies and other prizes were distributed to winners by the Roggan of Eggan, Alhaji Alhassan Idris, who was the royal father of the day.

    The Wali of Lokoja, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Idris (retd.), who doubled as the chairman of the egatta, called on both the federal and state governments to pay more attention to the development of the tourism sector, as an avenue for job creation for the teeming youth population.

    He pleaded for attitudinal change towards the two tiers of government, saying that the sector had for too long been left undeveloped, at the detriment of the country’s economic development.

    According to him, the country has a lot to gain from the tourism sector, because of its job creation and foreign exchange earning potentials.

    He admonished that tourism be accorded the same attention being given to agriculture by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, to further widen the nation’s internally generated revenue base.

    He commended the LFP for staging the boat regatta festival which he described as the traditional festival of the indigenous people of Lokoja.

    The chief host and Administrator of Lokoja Local Government, Alhaji Shiru Lawal identified the confluence point of River Niger and River Benue, the Mount Patti, Lord Luggard’s resting place, the Iron of Liberty and the World War II Cenotaph, as some of tourist sites in Lokoja, waiting to be developed to international standards.

    He said that the council will ensure that the festuval holds yearly henceforth.

    “It may interest you to know that my council is working hard in collaboration with the state government to modify the annual Dankwo Fishing Festival to attain international standard. This, I believe would attract a lot of people from all parts of the world to participate in the annual event”, added.

    The Chairman of the Lokoja Forum of Patriots, Alhaji Idris Baba’ango said that the organisation decided to leverage on the traditional festival to further promote unity and understanding among the various ethnic groups in the local government.

    He explained that it was aimed at projecting the unique position of Lokoja in Nigeria, and use its creative resources to attract both local and foreign tourists.

    He thanked the people for embracing the festival, promising that efforts will be made to sustain and improve on subsequent editions.

     

  • Kogi marks World Tourism Day

    Kogi State has staged a very colourful parade around the state capital, Lokoja, to mark this year’s World Tourism Day.

    The parade which showcased the tourism potentials of the confluence state, witnessed motorised caravans, various cultural troupes, artists, showbiz personalities, top government officials and enthusiastic residents, all colourfully attired and exhibiting their talents.

    There was a commemorative lecture,  at the Lugard Confluence Beach Hotel, during which the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello applauded efforts by the Federal Government at repositioning the tourism sector as a viable alternative revenue source.

    He described the 2017 World Tourism Day as a unique one that has drawn attention to the growing importance of tourism to the global economy, as well as the potentials for sustainable development.

    Represented by the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Mohammed Awal, he noted that the nation has attained great heights in the area of tourism.

    He said numerous serious investors whose interest is to transform Kogi into a tourist haven are continually being attracted to the state.

    He charged Nigerians and the people of the state to key into the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day: “Sustainable Tourism: A Tool for Development”.

    “Sustainable tourism takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environmental resources and respect for host communities. This can ensure viable long-term economic operations, so that benefits are equitably distributed among all stakeholders.

    “This provides us a unique opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to sustainability and ensure positive impact of well-managed tourism on inclusive and equitable growth that promotes sustainable development and peace, he said.

  • Glo Laffta Fest excites Lokoja residents

    IT was a weekend of excitement for Glo subscribers in Lokoja, as the Kogi State edition of Glo Laffta Fest brought together some of the continent’s finest comedians for a spectacular performance.

    Held at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja, the show paraded top humour merchants from different parts of Africa including Bovi Ugboma, Godwin ‘Gordons’ Komone, Salvador from Uganda, Basketmouth, Bash and Senator.

    It was also attended by a mammoth crowd comprising fun lovers from Lokoja and other neighbouring towns including Okene, Kotonkarfe, Obajana and Kabba alongside top officials of Kogi state Government, serving and retired military officers as well as captains of industries operating in the state.

    The show kicked-off with a delightful performance by Bash whose funny jokes revolved around his growing years. He later handed over the baton to Senator who held the audience spellbound with stage swag and perfect delivery of his jokes.

    Next was the outstanding performance by the Ugandan top comedian, Salvador who is not popular in Kogi State. It was however his funny jokes which the crowd enjoyed thoroughly that endeared him to their hearts and he was roundly applauded for a good stage performance.

    The evening of fun continued after Salvador, as Dan D’Humorous took the show to a higher level after which Bovi, Gordons and Basketmouth performed one after the other. There was no dull moment as they all put up spectacular performances in an unforgettable night of fun and laughter.

    The show which was anchored by Kogi-born Mercy Johnson-Okojie, and her Nollywood colleague, Ebube Nwagbo also witnessed celebrity attendance by Kannywood’s star, Sani Danja and Nollywood legend, Kanayo O. Kanayo.

    The Garden city of Port Harcourt will host the Glo Laffta Fest for the second time before the train will move to Onitsha, Makurdi and Ajah in the weeks ahead.

  • Kogi court remands Boko Haram member

    Kogi court remands Boko Haram member

    A Lokoja Chief Magistrate Court has ordered the remand of a suspected Boko Haram member, Mustapha Adinoyi over alleged involvement in terrorist activities and illegal possession of firearms.

    Chief Magistrate Levi Animoku, who gave the order after the state Counsel had arraigned the accused in Lokoja, described the alleged offence as “a fearful one”.

    He said that Boko Haram activities had claimed lives of many Nigerians adding, that ”Bail is not granted as a matter of course. The offence is grievous and carries high penalty.

    “The presumptuous of innocence notwithstanding, I refuse the bail of the accused. Consequently, the accused shall be remanded at the Federal Prisons, Koton-Karfe,” he said.

    Animoku, thereafter, adjourned the case until Oct. 17 for mention.

    Earlier, the prosecution led by Mohammed Abaji of the state Ministry of Justice told the court that Adinoyi was arrested following intelligence reports by a joint team of the Nigerian Army and the DSS.

    Abaji said that Adinoyi’s handset and SIM card analysis further revealed that he had several meetings with one Dauda Momoh also known as “General”, a Boko Haram commander on the wanted list of the DSS.

    He said that the accused also took the commander to the house of another member of the gang, one Abdul fatai where two single barrel guns, one toy gun, six assorted SIM cards and other weapons were recovered.

    The counsel prayed the court to take cognisance of the offences of criminal conspiracy contrary to Section 97(1) of the Penal Code and belonging to terrorist group contrary to Section four of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.

    The alleged offences also included illegal possession of firearms contrary to Section three of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act CAP R11 2004.