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Tag: Yahaya Bello

  • NCC wades into shutdown of base stations

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has waded into the shut down of base stations in Kogi state over the issue of non payment of taxes and levies by telecom companies, the Executive Chairman of NCC Prof Garba Umar Danbatta announced on Thursday.

    Prof Danbatta who broke the news while making a presentation at a workshop organised by GSMA at NCC headquarters in Abuja, said he had fruitful discussions with Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello on the matter and the governor agreed on amicable resolutions of the issues.

    The EVC allayed fears that the development might disrupt telecom services in a number of states across the country, saying there is no cause for alarm as the NCC as a regulatory body would not wait for such a thing to happen considering its far reaching implications on the socio-economic growth and development of the country.

    Prof. Danbatta who said the workshop with the theme, “Future Of Industry: Driving Innovation and Growth” was being organised by GSMA in conjunction with NCC with the aimed of preparing the ground for the transformation of the telecom sector with the deployment of 5G services by year 2020.

    He noted that considering the fact that the number of internet users have reached 105 million, and 172 million mobile subscribers as of September this year with a contribution of 10.4 percent to the nation’s GDP, the opportunities and potentials for growth in the sector remain huge for the country.

    “This workshop is to examine the state of NCC readiness, to also sensitize operators, and other stakeholders on the deployment of 5G services and the impact it would create across all sectors and all aspects of lives”, Prof Danbatta said.

    He explained that with adoption of G5 services  the current levels of financial fraud and anonymous hate speeches dominating the social media would pile away, asserting that the NCC is doing all its best to ensure a seamless adoption of the technology.

    Specifically professor Danbatta said NCC would focus on infrastructure development, spectrum allocation and trading and regulations in line with global best practices for the industry, lamenting that Nigeria is yet saddled with telecom infrastructures deficit.

    He said to address the problems of infrastructures deficit, the NCC is advocating Private and Public Sectors Partnership (PPP) for the types of infrastructures to power 5G technology, adding that NCC also introduced subsidy to assist the Infracos as soon as they deployed such infrastructures.

    Read Also: NCC set to improve telecom broadband

    “In the world we live in today, mobile communication is a cardinal tool of economic development, growth and integration, and the mobile industry is a key enabler of productivity across economies and societies,” Prof.  Danbatta said.

    “The mobile industry is not only a significant contributor to the economic activities of Nigeria, but also towards the growth of other sectors of the economy. The Nigerian Communications Commission has been, and continues to play a key role in the development of mobile communication in Nigeria, and I am delighted to be part of this event today.

    ” This provides and avenue for regulators, operators, investors, and other relevant stakeholders to examine, share and constructively exchange ideas,” he added.

    In his presentation, the Head of Sub Saharan Africa for GSMA, Mr Akinwale Goodluck said “Mobile connectivity has already improved the welfare of millions of Nigerians, opening the door to new digital possibilities and powering the country’s economic development.”

    “For Nigeria to take full advantage of the next phase of its digital transformation, it’s vital that collaboration between industry and government enables the right policy environment for millions more to benefit from ultra-fast mobile broadband. If policies don’t keep pace with the needs of society and technological innovation, there is a risk that citizens will be left behind and productivity and competitiveness will suffer.”

    “GSMA research shows that the mobile market in Nigeria makes an important contribution to the economy. The mobile industry contributed $21 billion to GDP in 2017, representing 5.5 per cent of Nigeria’s total GDP. In addition, the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy resulted in the creation of nearly 500,000 direct and indirect jobs”, he asserted.

  • Gov. Bello donates N7m to churches

    Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi has donated N 7 million to 11 churches in support of their projects with N2 million of the amount going to Christ the King Catholic Church, Okene and N500, 000 each to other churches in Central Senatorial district of the state.

    Alhaji Abdulmalik Abdulkarim, the Director -General, Bureau of Information and Grassroots Sensitization, disclosed this in a statement he issued in Lokoja on Tuesday.

    He said Bello announced the donation during a service to round-off the centenary celebration of the Christ the King Catholic Church, Okene, adding that the money was meant to assist the churches in their various projects.

    Bello, who was the Special Guest of honour at the event,congratulated the church  on its 100 years of existence in Ebiraland and pledged to donate coaster bus to aid its evangelism.

    Abdulkarim quoted Bello, as commending the past and present leadership of the church for immense contributions to peace and harmony in Ebiraland and urged other churches to emulate the church by preaching the gospel of love, peace, unity and religious tolerance.

    Read Also: Don’t underrate PDP, Yahaya Bello warns

    According to Abdulkarim, the benefiting churches are : Gospel Assembly Church, Nagazi, Adavi, Mountain Crusader Church, Ihucheba, Adavi, St. Andrew Anglican Church, Lafia, Okene, Deeper Life Church, Obehira, and St. Paul Anglican Church, Okengwe.

    Others are: Christ Apostolic Church, Oboroke, Okehi, St. Peter Anglican Church, Ihima,  Gospel Assembly Church, Iruvusechi, Eganyi, First Baptist Church, Ajaokuta and Catholic Church, Ogori.

    In his remarks, the Parish Priest of the Christ the King Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Ezekiel Awolumate, commended the governor for his personal presence at the centenary celebration of the church.

    The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr Ado Ibrahim, in his speech called the church to continue to pray for divine guidance and protection, for the governor, the people of Ebiraland and the state in general.

    The Dean, Okene Deanery of the Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Ododo Jude, on behalf of other churches thanked the governor for the donations and urged him  continue to work for the progress and development of the state.

    NAN

  • Bello promises N100 million reward for information on aide’s killers

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has promised a N100 million reward to anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of those that killed Malam Yusuf Adabenege, his Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism.

     

    A statement signed by Alhaji Abdulmalik Abdulkarim, Director-General, Bureau of Information Services and Grassroots Sensitisation, said that Bello made the promised on Wednesday in Okene, while on a condolence visit to the deceased aide’s family.

     

    The statement advised anybody with such information to reach the governor directly, through his phone lines, or get in touch with security agencies.

    Read Also: Don’t underrate PDP, Yahaya Bello warns

    The statement advised anybody with such information to reach the governor directly, through his phone lines, or get in touch with security agencies.

    “Such information can also be channeled through any of the governor’s political appointees,” the statement said.

     

    Adabenege was killed by unknown gunmen along Obehira road, Okene, at about 6:45 p.m., on Nov. 16. He was killed alongside his driver.

    The statement quoted Bello as expressing deep shock over the incident, vowing that the perpetrators would be brought to book.

    NAN

  • NDLEA arrests six, seizes 104 kg of Indian hemp

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kogi State says it has arrested six persons and seized 104.150 kg of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp between Oct.  25 and Saturday.

    Alhaji Idris Bello, the Commander of NDLEA in Kogi, said this while parading the suspects and the illicit substances on Tuesday in Lokoja.

    He said the arrests and seizures were made in different locations in the state.

    Bello said that a  65-year-old from Kaura Namoda in Zamfara was arrested with 90.7 kg of the illegal substance on the Okene-Lokoja highway on Oct. 25.

    He said another  19-year-old from Ofu Local Government of Kogi was arrested with 400 grams of  Indian hemp and a bottle of banned codeine cough syrup at Central Hotel in  Lokoja on Nov.  13.

    Two suspects,  both aged 25 and  from Kano, were arrested on Nov. 16  at Kasuwan-Ruwa area of Lokoja with 500 grams of  Indian hemp.

    Read Also: NDLEA freezes suspected Tramadol importer’s accounts

    A 19-year-old Nigeriene  and 36-year-old Nigerian were also arrested on the Okene-Lokoja highway with 11.6 kg of  Indian hemp and 80 grams of Tramadol.

    The sixth suspect, a 36-year-old, was also caught with 450 grams of  Indian hemp.

    Bello said the suspects would be prosecuted after due investigation,  adding that the command would continue to map out strategies to ensure that the rate of illicit drugs in circulation was  reduced

    The commander urged  parents and guardians to be alive to their responsibility by monitoring the activities of their children and wards.

    He also urged parents to send in their children and wards suspected to be involved in the use of hard drugs for counselling and rehabilitation.

    The NDLEA boss commended Gov. Yahaya Bello for his efforts at providing a rehabilitation centre for the command.

  • Don’t underrate PDP, Yahaya Bello warns

    *How APC can win 2019 election – Yahaya Bello

    *Buhari, best President to lead Nigeria to greatness

     

    Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on Wednesday night warned that the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is not a pushover that should be taken for granted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in next year’s general election.

    He gave the warning when President Muhammadu Buhari hosted youth political appointees to a dinner at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, the APC must go out aggressively to market to Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari and the numerous projects of his government in the last three years, if it must remain in power after 2019.

    He said that the issue of perception must be taken seriously by the APC to ensure that no chance is given to the opposition to return to power in 2019.

    The governor also declared that President Buhari remains the best President to lead Nigeria to greatness beyond 2023.

    He said “All that the crooked PDP is offering Nigerians is that corruption is better than incompetence in quote. 2015 was about change, 2019 will be about progress.

    “As members of the APC, we will not deny that our party has a huge task in the 2019 general elections, the election will never be a walk-over, the PDP will not be a push over.

    “And we must take nothing and no one for granted. If we cannot defeat PDP, maybe we should not be influencers or we should not even go to politics.” he said

    He added “President Buhari is a good product we know, but we must go out to sell him to Nigerians. Perception is very critical in times like this. If we fail, God forbid, the ugly narrative of PDP will overtake the land.

    “Our score card is very rich and very rich enough. We must market the incredible accomplishments of Mr. President and of his administration to every voter and in a language he or she understands.

    “If we fail, God forbids, the adverse narrative being put out by the PDP and other propaganda machine will dominate the land and shape perception.

    “If we don’t market our product very well, a tough and progressive victory against a terrorist threat which continues to cost the lives of our brave military and law enforcement agencies will be mistaken for inactions.

    “If we don’t market our product very well, try our political exposed offenders using long extant laws which previous leaders were not willing to deploy against cronies, accomplishments will be mistaken extra-judicial measures and disdain for the rule of law.

    “If we do not put Mr. President’s achievements before our people so that they can sight it themselves, we will be agreeing with the PDP that in fighting corruption which he is offering again, is somehow better than the alleged incompetence of the APC which has accomplished everything I have enumerated above,”.

    Executive Director at the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Jasper Azuatalam, said that most Nigerians were presently disappointed with the President because he has failed to perform the magic they expected.

    He however stressed that it will be the worst things for Nigeria if power slides back to the PDP in 2019.

    Read Also: NYSC: Only two corps members involved in accident

    He said “The worst thing we can do to this country Nigeria, is to allow PDP to come back to power in 2019. It is the worst thing we can do to Nigeria.

    “I will likened PDP to a lion that has been put in the cage for a long time. I have interacted with their members and I know how hungry they have become because they don’t see free money as before.

    “If we lose this lion again in 2019, then Nigeria is going to walk more than 1,000 steps backward.

    “Like we always said in those days we lost elections, Mr. President will always get eleven to twelve million votes whether he operates from a party or not. That’s how goodwill we had that time.

    “But that is because a lot of people believed that by Mr. President’s integrity and his anti-corruption, he is going to do magic when he resumes office as President. That in two months, Nigeria will change. They don’t know how it would happen.

    “But the truth is that most of these have been disappointed because they didn’t see the magic. That is why we need to do the real work,” he said.

  • Kogi upgrades 88 traditional rulers, 15 to First Class status

    The Kogi State Government has approved the upgrading of Eighty-eight traditional rulers.

    The special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Ohere, in a release on Friday, in Lokoja disclosed that 15 traditional rulers have been upgraded from Second Class to First Class status.

    According to the statement, 18, have been upgraded from Third Class to Second Class status, while 55 were graded Third Class.

    The statement noted that the upgrade of the traditional rulers in the state followed approval by the State Executive Council.

    While urging the upgraded traditional rulers to justify their appointment by living above board, the special adviser said the Governor Yahaya Bello-led administration holds the traditional institutions in high esteem and would continue to accord priority to their welfare.

    He said that the appointment is with immediate effect.

    Following the approval of the upgrading of some Traditional rulers by the State Executive Council, Governor Bello has been extolled by the ‘Concern Citizens of Kogi State,’ “for deeming it fit to honour the wish and desire of the people across the state through their various traditional heads, some whose stools are due for decades but were not considered.”

    They gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, in Lokoja.

    The group, led by Alhaji Isyaka Omeiza, in a mission statement, said the decision of His Excellency was not only laudable, but timely, as it has given sense of belonging and accommodated the yearning and interest of the people.ted into this laudable decision.

    Ohere thanked the group for appreciating the laudable achievement of the governor, who he described as a leader with strong political will, to address all manners of injustice in the traditional institutions.

    He commended the State Council of Chiefs for their exemplary leadership quality and urged them to support the blueprint of the administration.

    He congratulated the graded and upgraded traditional rulers in the state and urged them to rule with the fear of God, to attract peace, love, tranquility and development to their domains and subjects.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Kogi youths protest imposition of candidates by Yahaya Bello

    Youths of Kogi state extraction under the umbrella of Kogi APC Youth Rebirth took to the streets of Abuja and later the headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday to protest the imposition of candidates by Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state.
    Addressing journalists at the peak of the protest, Comrade Ezekiel Edogboanya appealed to the leadership of the party to advise the governor before “he sink the ship of APC in Kogi state”.
    In his words, “We the members of the Concerned Kogi APC Rebirth, wishes to use this medium to appeal to the good conscience of the leadership of our great party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) to as a matter of urgency and of national interest save the APC in Kogi state from imminent disintegration due to the activities of His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello and his cronies”.
    The group further implored the APC to consolidate and reward the contributions of the deceased winner of the 2015 gubernatorial elections whose votes was inherited by Gov Bello:
    “It is crucial for us to state here that in the annals of Kogi state, the contributions of the Late Prince Abubakar Audu is of immense proportion. As a fact, the late Prince Abubakar Audu even in death represents a united and robust Kogi state because of his politics of inclusiveness that saw him defeat an incumbent governor before he passed on to the great beyond. May his soul continue to rest in peace.
    “Our dear leaders, the principal reason why we are protesting here at the National Headquarters of our great party is to intimate the party that Governor Yahaya Bello who was the direct beneficiary of the goodwill and votes of our late leader, Prince Abubakar Audu has initiated a devilish and highly unpopular campaign to push the brother of the late Prince Abubakar Audu out of the race for Kogi East Senatorial District.

    Read also: Bello: Kogi second most peaceful

    “We wish to state that, this act is not only misplaced, it is also capable of causing great disaffection amongst the various stakeholders in Kogi East Senatorial and which would ultimately lead to either mass defection to the opposition party or anti-party activities,” he warned.
    The group further implored the state governor to reduce his draconian policies and immediately commence the payment of salaries with the aim of restoring the lost glories of the APC before the 2019 election in the state.
    “Our greatest worry is the fact that we are surprised at the speed with which Governor Yahaya Bello through his Chief of Staff, Edward Onoja can go to bed knowing full well that electoral defeat would be our lot should they continue to disrupt the hands of justice by criminalizing and pushing out political assets of the party to the opposition party just because of a difference in opinion on ways to move the state and the party forward.
    “This is also aside from the fact that the electoral chances of the party in the forthcoming elections are already threatened with the non-payment of salaries by Governor Yahaya Bello. As a matter of verifiable fact, Kogi State under Governor Yahaya Bello is the worst regarding payment of wages to civil servants in the history of the state,” it said.
    The group further appealed to the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomohle and President Muhammdu Buhari to “intervene before it is too late and ensure that the will of the party men and women prevail at the primaries”.

  • Kogi second most peaceful state in Nigeria – Gov. Bello

    Calls for national unity

    Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has described the state as the second most peaceful state in the country.

    Bello disclosed this during a peaceful rally organised in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) and Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development (PIBCID) to commemorate International Peace Day in Lokoja.

    He said Kogi which was known for armed robbery and communal clashes emerged the second position from 36.

    His words: “Once upon a time, Kogi was the headquarter of kidnapping and highway robbery and this has become history.

    “Today, Kogi is adjudged the second peaceful state in Nigeria from a position of 36. Without doubt, in the next year we shall be number one.

    “In progress is where you see quality and affordable healthcare delivery especially for the vulnerable in the society- women and children. In progress is where you see security and tranquillity.”

    He added that, “It is not just for the good of the governor, cabinet or party but it is for the good of the citizens and indigenes of Kogi state.

    “Highway robbery communal clashes, bank robbery, those were before. They had all gone and the only thing we have in Kogi state is peace, unity and progress which we must all embrace.”

    Bello, represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Edward Onoja, applauded the organizers of the rally stressing that peaceful coexistence of the state is for the interest of all.

    He advocated for peace and unity of the country.

    Read Also: Kogi and the end of politics

    Earlier, Dr. Stella Adejo, Board Member of AAN, called for more support from the government in creating an enabling environment for the youths to thrive.

    However, Adejo promised to strengthen collaboration with the Kogi State Government to create lasting peace in the state.

    Member of a Civil Society Organisation, Mrs. Eunice Agbogun, who is also the Vice Chairperson, Kogi NGO Network (KONGONET) called on the youths to remain focused rather than being used wrongly.

    “Peace is a very important component to the development of any state or country and that is why today we are joining the youths to project the message of peace.

    “Peace is very important because without peace you cannot have an enabling environment that will thrive for development, give you space for education, health amenities and so many empowerment.”

    The President, National Association of Kogi State Students (NAKOSS), Comrade Omeiza Audu commended efforts and supports of the governor towards uniting all the tribes in the state.

    He pledged to support the government of the state by consolidating on the peace already being enjoyed and also build on it.

    AAN Ambassador, Mark Angel, commended the initiative of the government of the state to initiate peace.

    “I have gone through the state to inspect the level of peace and I am impressed with what I saw. Compared to what it used to be.”