Gov Yahaya Bello Reiterates Commitment For Sports & Youth Development In the state

By Wale Mustapha.

Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has again reassured the people of the state of his continued drive towards youth and sports development.

Comrade Sani Ogu Salisu, the newly appointed Commissioner for Youth and Sports in the state disclosed this on Thursday while receiving the management, players and officials of Kogi United, Confluence Queens and Kogi United Feeders in a courtesy visit to his office in Lokoja.

Honorable Salisu said sports have been a major cardinal points of his excellency’ blueprints to develop the youths in the state just as he promised that the sector would witness a tremendous turn around during his time in the ministry.

While commending the state clubs for making the state proud in their various league campaigns, Honorable Salisu charged them to their efforts in the coming football season to bring home trophies to the state.

“His Excellency has always shown interests in sports development and will continue to do so, he’s aware of what my activities on youth empowerment and students affairs, but he has categorically laid emphasis on sports which he has requested  for a dramatic development in the sports sector which is why he brought me here, and I’m ready to give you the needed supports to achieve success.

“The resources are there for us to achieve our goals, we only need the push which we are now getting from the Governor, and I’m ready to work with you to bring premier league ticket for Kogi United and also make Confluence Queens more formidable,” he said.

Mallam Abdul Sule, chairman of Kogi United, Confluence Queens and Kogi Feeders who congratulated Honorable Salisu on his new appointment, thanked his excellency for his unending support for the state owned clubs just as he solicited more of it, especially for Kogi United to actualize their target of promoting to the top flight division in Nigeria.

The Team Managers of Kogi United and Confluence Queens, Ameh Henry and Tosin Olorunleke Ojo in a separate remarks appealed for more funding and new coaster buses for the clubs so as to reach their set goals in the coming season.

Comrade Deola Eseyin, Special Adviser to Governor Yahaya Bello on Youth Empowerment, Sports and Students’ Affairs congratulated the new commissioner calling for team effort from other stakeholders to make the clubs a more formidable forces in the country.

The courtesy visit was attended by Senior Special Assistant, SSA to Governor on Sports, Honorable Segun Olobatoke, SSAs to Governor on Youth Empowerment from Kogi West, East and Central senatorial districts, representatives of Kogi United and Confluence Queens’ supporters clubs and other top officials from the ministry of sports and youth development.

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My Roomate Cut Me With Razor Blade, Because I'm More Beautiful Than Her

I am a student of UNIPORT by name Nancy Ekeh, 200 Level studying philosophy... My roomate Okoija Reva used razor blade to tear my face because I am more beautiful than her. 
Please help me.

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Mob Attack Soldier In Kogi Over Advances To Married Woman

Angry mob attacked a yet to be identified soldier over his alleged advances on a married woman in Gadumo area of Lokoja, Kogi state capital.

It was learnt that the incident occurred in the evening of Tuesday close to the Master Energy filling station in Gadumo community.

A witness who owns a shop in the vicinity said the soldier who reportedly came to the area from Lagos few days ago was said to have been making advances on a married woman in the community.

It was further learnt that the woman in question turned down the soldier, informing him that she was already married.

The witness said the soldier persisted, which made the woman to report to her husband.

It was learnt that the woman’s husband confronted the soldier and an altercation ensued in the process.

Our correspondent learnt that angry mob upon learning about the incident mobilised themselves and joined hands with the man in fighting the soldier.

The witness said the soldier was beaten black and blue before he was rescued and taken away by some of his colleagues.

When contacted, Spokesman of the Kogi Police Command, Mr Williams Aya said the incident was not reported to the command.

He however said the DPO in charge of C Division (where the incident occurred) confirmed he learnt about an incident in the area and that when he got there, he was told the soldier in question has been taken away by men of the Army.

He said people of the area were not willing to volunteer information to the DPO and his men when they visited the area.

Aya however said that the situation in the area is now under control and the people are going about their normal activities.

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Gov. Yahaya Bello Lied On Security Threats, Payment Of Salaries – KDG Tells

Kogi Democratic Group (KDG) has debunked Governor Yahaya Bello’s claims of stable security arrangement and up-to-date payment of workers salaries in Kogi State.

In a statement released by the group’s spokesman, Abdul Abdul, KDG said Governor Bello has perfected the art of lying by continuous mis-information.

The group, according to Abdul, found it expedient to react to the Governor’s claims that there have been no records of crimes in the state in the last 60 days. He stated that Kogi people are being kidnapped and robbed on a daily basis in the state.

“Barely two months ago, the police in Kogi on Tuesday confirmed the killing of two police officers and the abduction of an expatriate by unknown gunmen at a construction site along Obajan-Oshokoshoko-Kabba road in the state. The abducted expatriate, Mr Jose Machada, a Portuguese civil engineer, later died while in captivity.

“On November 2, 2017, the Area Superintendent of The Apostolic Church, Lokoja, Pastor Alfred Funsho Amode narrated how he escaped being kidnapped around Osara village along Lokoja-Okene highway.

“Early November, 2017, triple murder case was widely reported in Okene, Kogi State. Abdulganiyu Aduki, an artisan who was killed around 7:30pm on Tuesday, 31st October, 2017 at Nagazi in Adavi Local Government Area. His wife and daughter were also shot during the incidence. A labour leader, Mallam Abdulmumin Yaqub and his friend, Mallam Ibrahim Otaru, were gunned down at the home of the former in Ozuwaya, Bariki Ward of Okene Local Government Area around 7pm on Wednesday, 1st November, 2017.

“Also in November, the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Emeka Onwe Ogah and one of his administrative officers were kidnapped in Kogi state around Ajaokuta while the CMD and the officer were returning from Abuja where they went for a meeting. Police later confirmed their release.

“In December, there were reported cases of assassination attempts on opposition party leaders in Dekina. Security threats are still on Kogi state even in Ajaokuta, a local government next to the seat of government,” he said.

Abdul said Kogi workers and pensioners have left the governor to God’s judgment for his consistent lies and misleading utterances after refusing to pay them their entitlements but resorted to payment of half salaries from one month to four months when it was owing some of them 21 to 24 months.

He said the people of Kogi did not, at any fora, endorse ‎President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term. He stated that Governor Bello made the utterances in his capacity as the chief executive of Kogi State but not reflecting the wishes of the people.

“The current administration in Kogi and Nigeria has not done anything credible to warrant people’s acceptance for re-election. The imposition of Governor Yahaya Bello on Kogi State has brought untold hardship on Kogites and by extension Nigerians.”

He urged the anti graft agency, EFCC, to look into erratic pensions and workers’ salary payment in Kogi as Governor Bello’s claim to have borrowed 10 billion Naira to pay salaries is a naked lie concocted to cover up his financial recklessness.

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Am Up-To-Date In Salary Payment – Gov. Yahaya Bello boost

…Kogi state civil servants, pensioners are all happy with this administration – Gov.

Contrary to claims, Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello says his government has cleared all salary backlogs in the state. He revealed to State House correspondents that the Kogi State government cleared four months salary arrears at a stretch before Christmas.

What is the workers’ salary situation in Kogi State?

In Kogi State today we are up to date as far as salary is concerned. In the month of December, Mr. President magnanimously assisted us with another tranche of Paris Club Refund. Our own figure was N1.2 billion and some other change on top. We didn’t just stop at that, we borrowed up to N10 billion and added November/December allocation to our figures and we were able to clear four months at a stretch before Christmas and some leftovers were cleared before this January in Kogi State.

As you all know the salary was very bogus and according to the figure we had we were able to distribute it among these months. So glory to God as far as Kogi State is concerned. Moving forward from this January, we have decided that we are going to make use of our clock-in device for every civil servant in Kogi State both at local government and state levels. So that as you come to work and clock-in, that is exactly how your salary will be generated. It is online; it is automated so nobody is going to cheat anybody. That is how we are going to go in the state; so Kogi state civil servants, pensioners are all happy with this administration. Thanks to God and Mr. President for this magnanimity.

How are you facing up to security challenges in your state, especially kidnapping?

In Kogi State today we have done tremendous work as far as security generally is concerned. In the months of November, December and this January, there has not been any single case of armed robbery, kidnapping even mere stealing in Kogi State.

One attempt was made, as I speak the DSS in collaboration with army and police have apprehended a particular gang that attempted to snatch a vehicle from a citizen. The security operatives are collaborating with us, we are spending a lot on security. There is collaboration between us and the security agencies and a lot of understanding from the people in giving us a lot of information and we are treating them with utmost secrecy. We are working harmoniously together.

Let me digress a little. The Fulanis in Kogi State are equally collaborating with against the criminal elements amongst them. They are even the ones apprehending the criminal elements in their midst and handing them over to the security agencies. So we are living very harmoniously with the Fulani herdsmen, farmers and the citizens. Travelers are safe day and night because anywhere you go, you see security operatives and we have even vigilantes and hunters that are equally assisting us in our farms and so many other deserted areas. So Kogi is very safe.

What was the rationale behind giving masquerades N2 million and vehicle each that you are being criticized for?

I think I’m just hearing that for the first time. But let me just tell you that in Kogi State, first we promote culture, two we didn’t give millions to masquerades. In our culture masquerades are ancestors. I don’t know how a masquerade will go and spend money? Is it in the grave? They are supposed to be spirits and I don’t know how masquerades will spend money. There is nothing of that nature at all.

What are your thoughts on Buhari and 2019?

I’m sure you are following us as we are receiving defectors from PDP and all other political parties. And any time we hold any defection rally in any local government you will see the mammoth crowd that turns out. So Kogi State has already endorsed President Buhari for second term, we are just waiting for the time to come. You are going to see the votes that will come out of Kogi State, it will dwarf that of Katsina State I can assure you.

Credit: Leadership.

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I Disagree That Gov. Bello’s N10b Loan Was Used For Payment Of Salaries As Claimed

With all sincerity, I hope Kogi State government will prove me wrong. I read with anger reports where Governor Yahaya Bello said he got N1.2 billion from the last tranche of Paris Club Refund. That is untrue as official reports from his government told the whole world in December that Kogi state received N6.2 billion.

According to official reports, “the state net statutory allocation for the month of November shared in December is N3,070,711,628.05. The value added tax(VAT) for the same period is N823,520,284.97.  Therefore,the net state statutory distributable income for the month of December is N3,894,231,913.02. The 21 local government areas in Kogi state received a net statutory allocation of N2,664,875,020.83 for the month of December. The Value added tax(VAT) for the same period is N564,089,140.13 Hence, the local Government areas distributable statutory allocation is N3,228,964,160.95.”

In total, Kogi State and her 21 local governments received N7,123,196,073.98 from the federation account in December 2017. Add the N6.2 billion Paris Club Refund with the alleged N1 billion monthly IGR and the questionable N10 billion loan and you will arrive at N24.3 billion in December alone!

At a recent meeting with labour leaders in the state, government said the state monthly salary total is N2.6 billion. Now, let’s look at simple arithmetic, government announced that it paid 60% salaries for four months to civil servants across board (though, majority claimed they got 50%);

Kogi State Monthly Salary Total – N2.6 billion

60% of monthly total – N1.56 billion

60% salary X 4 months = N6.24 billion

This figure is what state government needed to pay all state workers 60% salaries for four months! The Paris Club alone is enough to defray this! When then did the governor obtain extra N10billion loan???

With an announced inflow of N24.3 billion into Kogi state government coffers, if you remove N6.24 billion needed for four months salaries at 60% across board, we should have a balance of N18.06 billion. Yes, I know you paid local government workers between 40-50% salaries in December as well. Let’s say you spent N6.24 billion on local government salaries (though, we all know you didn’t spent up to that), sir, we should have a clean balance of N11.82 billion in our coffers now. This still leave us with questions on the veracity of your claims that you borrowed N10 billion to pay salaries.

I am sure the state government does not expect us to keep records of these monies when they issue official press statements announcing the inflows. Sorry, we are monitoring and keeping records. Is the state government servicing debts? Which administration plunged us into the debts and for what purpose? We are entitled to verifiable information from government.

Practically, Bello only used the Paris Club Refund for salaries. He didn’t use the N10b loan for salaries.

We demand to know what Bello used, or intend to use the N10b loan for!

– Adamu Ojonugwa writes from Lokoja.

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APDA Chairman Chides Gov. Bello Over Percentage Salaries, Sack Of Directors

The Chairman of Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA), Kogi State chapter, Honourable Abdulmumini Ibrahim has described the unceremonious sack of top civil servants in the state as an unpleasant New Year gift.

Ibrahim, while addressing newsmen in Lokoja on Monday, berated Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for inflicting unnecessary pains on civil servants in the state.

He said Governor Bello is not living up to his claims that he is a protegé of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Governor Yahaya Bello recently announced that he is a replica of President Buhari in Kogi State. However, his actions are not similar to that of Mr. President. His new found love for percentage salaries and arbitrary dismissal of directors in the civil services is not a semblance of the person of President Buhari.

“On the 1st January, 2018, we saw and listened to the nation-wide broadcast of Mr President outlining areas of intervention Nigerians should expect in the new year. President Buhari acknowledged the needless pains Nigerians had to endure, particularly the unfortunate fuel crisis. He used the opportunity to roll out what we should expect in 2018. Well, some persons in some quarters felt his broadcast didn’t touch some of their expectations, but at least, he gave us insight in what 2018 will look like.

“The people of Kogi state were expecting similar broadcast by the Governor highlighting how the state government will address issues that borders on our contemporary challenges. Since our Governor said he is a replica of President Buhari, we waited to hear of interventions, policies and programmes that will change the lives of our people in 2018. But our Governor, in his chat, chose to break our hearts by giving the state civil service a shocking blow. He came up with an alarming sack of 1, 774 workers!

“We sympathise with our people as we embark on this painful, needless and vision-less political sojourn. It is obvious, the path taken by this current administration in Kogi State will lead us nowhere. The state government’s resort to payment of percentage pensions and salaries to Kogi state workers in unfortunate. This is coming on the heels of about six billion Naira Paris Club Refund adding up to November and December allocations from the Federation account.

“APDA shares the pain of our people, considering the torture and agony they are going through. We call on the governor to retrace his steps. It is not too late. He is not making us proud at all,” he said.

He called on striking doctors in the state to consider re-opening negotiations with the state government in the interest of the masses. He appealed to government to return to negotiation table with the striking doctors as the impoverished masses in the state cannot afford the cost of medical services in private hospitals.

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