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By Abdulrazaq Mamman Oganya All praises be to God almighty the most high, the most compassionate and the merciful. Thank you for this unimaginable miracle. You are indeed the custodian of life, time, hours and events. While I congratulate the newest and youngest governor ALh. Yahaya Adoza Bello, Atei azi anebira and good people of Kogi State in general. Its also very worthy to reflect on our past on this journey in order to learn for the future. This is what is refer to as "Planning" in administrative management and of course as the golden rule says "when you fail to plan, you are planning to fail". The quest for POWER-SHIFT has occupied the front burner for close to two decades now, most particularly after the expiration of Prince Abubakar Audu's first tenure. There are many causes to this agitation. This includes lack of freedom and choice to determine our destiny even at local level. We have had funny scenario where the former governor came all the way t

Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello on Friday ordered the dissolution of government boards and parastatals. The governor who issued the directive through his Chief of Staff, Mr. Edward Onoja, ordered all political appointees, members of boards and parastatals to handover to the immediate most senior officers in their offices with immediate effect in their respective offices. This he said has become imperative to enable the new government commence the restructuring of the boards and parastatals where necessary, as well as take stock of the state of the boards with a view to commence the process of repositioning them through new hands for efficiency and service to the people. The directive however does not affect three statutory boards and the state Accountant General. The boards not affected are: Judicial Service Commission, Civil Service Commission and the, State Independent Electoral Commission.

CALL FOR EBIRA SUMMIT: ANEBIRA(KOGI CENTRAL) BEFORE WE LOOSE IT ALL IN THE EUPHORIA OF CELEBRATIONS . Let me start by congratulating the good but traumatised people of Kogi State and especially the other two zones(Central and West) whose dream has just been approved by God, on the swearing in and inauguration of Alh. Yahaya Bello and a new govt. I pray that God gives this young man, sound health and the wisdom to drive d process of governance in what has come to be described as a mini Nigeria, Kogi state. History has shown from almost all facets of life that "those who fail to plan, only plan to fail". Successive regimes in the state fail to achieve so much because they were ushered in without plans, most of this leaders were drafted into d race and they hv no clear cut vision, no wonder their score card was not only below average but abysmal. I believe that as a citizen and a student of Leadership, I owe it as a responsibility to contribute however little to the developme

By Ismail M. Kabir  When the General Ibrahim Babangida administration created Kogi State in 1991, it was greeted with wild jubilation. That auspicious period promised a new dawn to the people that would later be regarded as Kogites. A new dawn ordinarily brings with it new hopes, better opportunities and improved standard of living. But more than two decades later, and in contrast with the high expectations, an unprecedented level of retrogression dawned on the people of the state. However, this piece is not another shot at reminding the people of the undue relegation of a supposed progressive state to the abyss of history by its successive clueless leadership, rather, it is borne out of the need to appreciate the selfless efforts of a committed few that not only identified with the dogged struggle to liberate Kogi state, but also defied the raging storm by staying true to their belief in the man Yahaya Adoza Bello with the resolve to succeed in the daunting battle against all odds.

Reposted from Kogireports.com A Lagos-based Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, has said that the absence of a deputy during Wednesday’s inauguration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as the governor of Kogi State did not affect the validity of Bello’s inauguration at all. Pinheiro, who was reacting to the situation in a telephone interview said the fact that Bello did not contest the election in the first place revealed the lacuna in the constitution. According to him, the absence of a deputy has not affected the validity of the inauguration at all. But constitutional lawyer, James Ezike thought otherwise, describing the action as an aberration and demonstration of an end to an era. To the lawyer, there is nothing about the present government that is constitutional. Source, click here

By Muhammed Bougei Atta In what appeared like a friendly virtual chat five years ago on ways to proffer solution to the perennial and communal challenges confronting the Ebira people of Kogi State, Proudly Anebira, PA as its fondly called has transformed from a mere chat room among friends to a mega of like minds, incorporating varying personalities such as intellectuals, opinion leaders, political office holders, professionals, groups and associations within and in the Diaspora. Founded on the foundation of love and development, Abubakar Imam alias Mayor, originated the dream. Today, PA hosts an average of a hundred community leaders of Ebira descents bringing in unprecedented voluntary actions of development to the people and the area. Indeed, PA is witnessing its five year of transformation from good to better. Committed to a new regime of developing a culture of responsibility, PA recently adopted a structure of guiding rules and regulations, administered by a 10-member think -t

Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has ordered the immediate reinstatement of all Local Government Chairmen that were relieved of their positions, in the twilight of the administration of immediate-past Governor Idris Wada. Recall that on Tuesday, November 24, ex-governor Wada had removed 15 chairmen of local governments from office for defecting to the then opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). But in a directive through the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Edward David Onoja, on Friday, Governor Bello stated that he is committed to his contract with the people of Kogi State to promote the rule of law and ensure that no one is oppressed based on political beliefs or any other reason whatsoever. Bello directed that in situations where Vice Chairmen are acting in the capacity of the affected Chairmen, the former are to revert to their original positions. Governor Bello expects the normalization to be carried out without rancour, regardless of political differences. According to th

Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman has stressed the need for the entire people of Kogi State to cooperate with the new government in the state under the leadership of Alhaji Yahaya Bello of All Progressives Congress, APC. According to Abatemi-Usman, who was on the entourage of the National Chairman of APC, John Odigie Oyegun to Bello’s inauguration in Lokoja on Wednesday, it is only with the total support of the people that the new governor can achieve whatever plans he has to transform the state. Speaking through his Special Assistant on media and publicity, Michael Jegede, in a statement, the Senator said: “I rejoice with the entire people of Kogi State as we begin a new era with the inauguration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the fourth Executive Governor of the state. There is need for us to show him support and align ourselves with the new government to effectively tackle the numerous challenges and problems facing the state at the moment. We must u

PRESS RELEASE   APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State has approved the following appointments:  1.Mr. Onoja Edward David as CHIEF OF STAFF to the Governor. Before his appointment as Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Onoja Edward David who hails from Ogugu in Olamaboro LGA of Kogi State has risen to management positions in several bluechip enterprises in both the Financial and Oil & Gas Sectors of the Economy. He is a tested Administrator.   2.Abdulkarim Omuya Adubi Abdulmalik as SPECIAL ADVISER, MEDIA AND STRATEGY to the Governor. Prior to this appointment The SA Media & Strategy who hails from Ihima in Okehi LGA of Kogi State is a seasoned journalist, social media expert and Media Consultant. 3.Kingsley Olorunfemi Fanwo as Chief Press Secretary to The Governor. Prior to this appointment, Mr Kingsley Famwo who hails from Takete Ide Amuro in Mopamuro LGA of Kogi State works as a Correspondent with a l

By Natasha Akpoti I have been advised to use pseudo names in publishing this piece, but that’s not my nature. I am one who bolds up to situations and thus, I shall bear my name and consequences this report might stir. From the 14th of August 2015, the day I had an interactive and empowerment session with the black smiths of ‪#‎Ebiraland‬; the pains in their voices daunted me. A people, whose ancestors carved a niche in ironworks way back as the 7th century suffered for want of materials to support their trade while a steel giant lay raped in their backyard by a series of unfortunate events and conspiracies. In October, I took online to issue a petition pleading with ‪#‎President‬ ‪#‎Buhari‬ to revive ASCL; and with your support we were able to get hundreds of signatures. Since that day, I left no stone unturned to discover the happenings so as to better understand the best path forward. I have taken time to make this report as brief and as simple as possible and urge you all to take

On Wednesday, 27th January 2016, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello will assume duties as governor and chief security officer of the confluence state. His assumption will not only mark the beginning of a new era, but also end the decade-long political dynasty of certain section of the state. Since its creation in 1991, the state has witnessed unprecedented political instability, socio-economic downturn, improvised by ineptitude of people who prioritise self-interest over state development. There is no doubt that the incoming government will inherit a state with a severe and devastating structures, ranging from political instability, increasing wave of insecurity occasioned by decades of systematic neglect of army of youths in the state and wide spread poverty, infrastructural cum educational decay, accumulated debts and general loss of morality amongst other pot of challenges. In spite of these alarming hurdles, the incoming governor still has numerous opportunities to overcome all the chall

"PRESS RELEASE" NOTICE OF SUSPENSION OF HON. ILYAS ISAH FROM OFFICE AS THE ACTING CHAIRMAN OF OKEHI LOCAL GOVERNMENT OVER ALLEGATION OF MISCONDUCT AND FINANCIAL IMPROPRIETY. The Okejhi Local Government Legislative Council in its plenary held on 25th January, 2016 has suspended Hon. Ilyas Isah from the office of Acting Chairman, with immediate effect. The suspension of Hon. Ilyas Isah by the Okehi Local government legislative Council is based on the following allegation of misconduct and financial impropriety:- i. That he failed to comply with the resolution of the Okehi Legislative Council ordering him, the DLG and Treasurer to appear before the Legislative Council to explain the income and expenditure of Okehi Local Government from June, 2015 to December, 2015 in violation of Section 10 (4) of the Kogi State Local Government Law, 2000. ii. That he paid 25% salary to workers of Okehi Local Government amounting to N19 Million out of N76 Million allocated to Okehi LG in No

The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has backed moves by the Governor-elect of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to replace the Deputy Governor- Elect, Hon. Abiodun Faleke, ahead of the January 27th date for their inauguration. Faleke has consistently refused the position of deputy governorship candidate of the APC since the demise of the governorship candidate of the party, Prince Abubakar Audu on November 23, 2015. After Bello was declared winner of the December 5 supplementary election, the running mate had disclosed that he will not be available for the swearing in. Faleke had since instituted a case at the court questioning the replacement of Audu with Bello by the national leadership of APC for the supplementary election. As the inauguration draws near, reports have been rife that the incoming Governor is shopping for the replacement of the deputy governor-elect for the swearing-in. Reacting to this, the APC National Legal Adviser, Dr. Muiz Banire, stat

By Jude Salawu On August 29, 2015 Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El–Rufai, who served as returning officer at the All Progressives Congress governorship primary election in Kogi State surprised many people at the Confluence Stadium in the state capital Lokoja by casting lots to determine contestants’ identities using numbers rather than names because, as he reasoned, the low level of literacy among party delegates would occasion confusion if aspirants’ names were used by voters to select their choice while voting. The late Abubakar Audu was given the first choice on account of his being an elder in the party. Audu picked number seven. About ten other contestants picked in turns before Governor-elect, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, was given the chance to make his pick. And he picked Number One! Thereafter the election went on smoothly and a winner declared in the early hours of Sunday the 30th of November. Abubakar Audu had won and Yahaya Bello came second. Shortly after Audu’s vi

Much has been done to make a success of the Wednesday inauguration of Governor-elect Yahaya Bello, but beyond the frenzy are high expectations by the people of Kogi State against challenges of development that the new governor will immediately face. The Kogi State Governor-elect, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, is scheduled to be sworn in this Wednesday, January 27, to take charge of the affairs of the state for the next four years. A lot has been done in preparation for a hitch-free transition of power from the outgoing government to the incoming one. Transition and inauguration committees have since been working, and critical stakeholders and opinion leaders from across the three senatorial districts of the state have been expressing their expectations and offering advice for the incoming governor. An opinion leader from Kogi East, Alhaji Yahaya  Mayanga sees Yahaya Bello as a detribalised personality able to achieve the transformation that the people need at this time. “I have been a core me

By Deen Adavize On Wednesday, 27th January 2016 , Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello will assume duties as governor and chief security officer of the confluence state. His assumption will not only mark the beginning of a new era, but also end the decade-long political dynasty of certain section of the state.

All arrangement has been done ahead towards inauguration, if you have no reason to be there please stay at home, the only reason you have to be there is to witness the historic moment of the swearing in of or divine Governor elect, Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello. We advice the general public that is coming to conduct themselves in a more civilse manner. Peaceful conduct is what we need, endeavor to follow due protocol and kindly obey the security agencies that day. On safety tips, here are the precautionary measure you need to observe. 1, Masquerade is not allowed: The use of masquerade that day especially at the scene or around the premises is totally prohibited and out of bound, whomever caught goes contrary to that will face the wrath of the law. 2, Social vises: stealing, thugry, assault and any other related offences are not accepted, endeavor to strictly comply with the rules that may put one's self in to trouble. 3, Weapon: No defensive weapons that are allowed on that day, whom

The Federal Government has been urged to beef up security ahead of the Kogi State of the swearing in ceremony of governor-elect, Yahaya Bello. This follows reports some groups opposed to the election, including some from his All Progressives Congress (APC), were planning to disrupt the event scheduled for Lokoja towards the end of the month. “There is speculation within the the nooks and crannies of the state that some groups are planning to disrupt the inaugural ceremony of the governor elect,” said Ahmed Lukman Omeiza, Chairman Nigerian Community in Ukraine. He said the proposed violence is coming from the group rebelling against the candidate of Bello as the substitute for late Abubakar Audu. The move to replace Audu with Bello, instead of James Falake, the deceased’s running mate ahead of the first round of polls, has been a source of tensions within the PAC. Omeiza said the youths of the eastern senatorial district had consistently maintained there would be no peace during th