Images of Ebiraland

By Ismail M. Kabir In expectation of Kogi State governor,  His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello's working visit to Kogi Central On Saturday, preparations is in high gear to receive the governor o n his first official visit to his hometown since his inauguration on the January 27th. While the Gov Yahaya Bello's support group, FairWin have embarked on voluntary road mentainace of the Okene-Nagazi road,  chairman of Okene local council declared Friday a sanitation day to wear the town a new look as the people in the area are anxious to formally recieve the governor in their midst for the first time. Gov. Bello is expected to tour round on-going water and roads rehabilitation projects across the central senatorial district before attending to a reception ceremony at the Ebira Day field at Inoziomi, Adavi LGA. The governor will be hosted at the ceremony by the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, His Royal Majesty Dr. Ado Ibrahim.

Ghost Schools operates in all the 21 Local Government Areas of Kogi State under the very watchful eyes of PDP led government for years : What a Colossal and Monumental Fraud in Education Sector? Ghost Schools listed: Adavi 5, Ajaokuta 1, Ankpa 117, Bassa 47, Dekina 142, Ibaji 102, Idah 35, Igalamela/Odolu 6, Ijumu 49, Kabba/Bunu 82, Kogi 11, Lokoja 3, Mopa-Muro 35, Ofu 44, Ogori/Magongo 8, Okehi 23, Okene 16, Olamaboro 53, Omala 53, Yagba East 52, Yagba West 55. With over 2,000 Ghosts Teachers. Source: Daily Trust on 24th December, 2015.

The recent demolition by the Kogi State government of some landmarks in Lokoja, the state capital has caused not a little stir among the general public. From the media reportage of the demolitions of the former Paparanda Square; Lugard, Lokoja City, NTA and Government House Roundabouts, one is inclined to think or believe that the Yahaya Bello administration had perpetrated a Taliban or ISIS-styled destruction of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kogi State. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Governor Yahaya Bello during his inaugural address on January 27, 2016 at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja had stated his administration’s resolve to, among others; reposition Kogi State as a tourist destination of choice, tapping into her unique and strategic position as a gateway to the Northern, Eastern and Western parts of Nigeria. The rich colonial history of Lokoja as the first administrative base of the British colonialists in Northern Nigeria is added boon to the latent tourism pot...

GOODWILL MESSAGE BY HIS EXCELLENCY, ALHAJI YAHAYA BELLO, GOVERNOR OF KOGI STATE TO THE 3RD ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF THE CORONATION OF THE ATTAH IGALA , HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, IDAKWO MICHAEL AMEH OBONI II ON 26TH MARCH, 2016 AT THE ROYAL PALACE, IDAH, KOGI STATE Protocols AGABA-IDU! AGABA-IDU! AGABA-IDU! Today is indeed a great day in Kogi State. Attah Igala, the biggest masquerade in the land is dancing and the whole world has turned out to marvel at the rare sight. Nigerians from all over the nation, friends and tourists from foreign lands and other categories of people too numerous to mention are in this multitude. I am therefore honoured to be here today and to join this joyous throng in celebrating our royal father, the Monarch of all Igalaland. His Royal Majesty comes from a most illustrious lineage in the ruling houses of Igalaland. His father, the first Ameh Oboni, exemplified sacrificial and foresighted leadership of the sort that our land desperately needs again. He fough...

The world is full of all kinds of peddlers of falsehood but today, this part of the world witnessed a specie of a new breed of peddlers of falsehood that shame the very devil, the father of all lies and liars. These kind of peddlers of falsehood will haunt you down with lies and dare you to breath. Calls from various quarters have reached us seeking for explanations about story posted on "Kogireport.com" by one merchant and peddler of lies called Austin Okai and his minions. In a just one swipe without blinking eyes, they alleged a forms of lies beyond what you can possibly imagine under the sun. Starting from the overnight counting of ballots in the favor of their "boss", "importation" of thugs, disruption of the tribunal proceedings to the attack of Wada's vehicles and convoy. A whole lots of other shameless and unprintable lies were shamelessly made in the report. I don't have the kind of sue generis depravity of the peddlers to reproduce them...

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE PASSED ON HON. LAWI. MEMBER KOGI STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, REPRESENTING OKENE 1 CONSTITUENCY. BY TEAMAOA Anebira were thrown into the abyss of political quagmire after the death of late Sen. A. T Ahmed, all who rose after him to take up the helms of  political leadership went the same way and we have been left more like orphans until the recent restoration of glory.   It is then heart warming to see that out of the loins of our late political icon have risen a young politician in the person of Hon. Lawi, who have decided to follow his father's footsteps and surpass his achievements. Hon. Lawi representing Okene 1 constituency in the Kogi state House of Assembly group have paid his dues and have not stopped in the performance of his legislative duties or his community development services. Since his inauguration as a member of KGHA, Hon. Lawi have performed well. We have noted, having considered and analysed his performances, and are convinced that the l...

The wife of the Kogi State Executive Governor Her Excellency Mrs Rashidat Bello has organised a one day training seminar and empowerment programme for Kogi State women. The training aimed at empowering Kogi State women was held at the Reverton Hotels on Saturday. At the end of the seminar, Mrs Rashidat Bello donated various equipments including sewing and hair dressing machines for tailoring and fashion design works respectively as start-up support for the women. Hundreds of trainees were selected from the 21 Local Government areas of Kogi State as beneficiaries of the empowerment programme. The beneficiaries praised Her Excellency, Mrs Rashidat Bello for liberating them from over dependence on their husbands particularly at this period of economic downturn.

Kidnappers of a 5-year-old boy, Jonathan Sulieman , the son of a Zonal Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Okene, Kogi State are demanding N50million before the boy,a nursery 2 pupil will be released. Saturday Mirror gathered that suspected gunmen numbering about four kidnapped the toddler on Monday about 7:45am when he was being driven to school in Okene. According to the father of the boy, the gunmen had perfected plans to have his son kidnapped and they succeeded in their plans. Pastor Sulieman who spoke with Saturday Mirror over the phone stated that the kidnapping of his son is devastating and called on the police and other security agencies to help rescue his son. “Jonathan is my last born. He is only five years old and I feel bad such is happening to him. He was kidnapped on Monday when he was being driven to school about 7: 45am by our driver. His elder sister and a neighbour’s child were in the car. "According to what the driver told me, four gun...

Special Adviser/Acting Commissioner for Local Governments & Chieftaincy Affairs, Alh. Abubakar Ohere paid a familiarization visit to Maigari of Lokoja, HRH Alh. Kabiru Makarfi II. The Kogi State Governor ably represented by SA Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, in his speech told the Maigari of Lokoja, that the administration of His Excellency Alh Yahaya Bello owed it as a duty to seek royal blessings and supports from our royal fathers beginging from the seat of power the historic kingdom of Lokoja. The Maigari of Lokoja, commends the purposeful leadership of Yahaya Bello and thanked the SA Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for his leadership quality and concerns for the affairs of the traditional institutions. The Maigari further laments the the conditions of Local Government system. He urged the state government to address the deplorable and disturbing state of our local governments. He passionately advised the state government to ensure the lasting solutions to ...

By Solomon Onuvaiye IT MUST be on record that His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello is the fountain of leadership equity in Nigeria. True to his inaugural speech, Governor Yahaya belongs to NO one and belongs to ALL. His breaking the jinx had translated to many facets. He is the first elected governor from the central of Kogi state. He's the first to execute successful power shift from the East. He is also the first to dash the juiciest and most security conscious appointment to a native far from his own. His benefactors disposition to such genuinty is one thing that should score GYB's confidence on his sole opinion. The chief of staff's hullabaloo may not die so easily if its translating into sentimental empowerment widening the gap we so desire to close. I hope his choice is so wise enough to fill the round holes with a round peg. Our amiable Governor is also undoubtedly a man of peace. What will you say of his flowing milk of words following the demolition of the sh...

The Special Adviser on Local Governments & Chieftaincy Affairs, Alh. Abubakar Ohere paid a familiarization visit to the Ohimege Igu of Koto Karfi, HRM Alh. Abdulrazak Gambo Isa Koto. The Kogi State Governor His Excellency Alh. Yahaya Bello represented by SA Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs Alh. Abubakar Ohere  has reaffirmed his commitments to the economic plans and policies by his administration but not without the support and blessings of our Royal Fathers. He further stated that no good devolopment can strive in any society without peace and harmony and our Royal Fathers are the custodians of this institutions that promotes peace and harmony. His Excellency Alh Yahaya Bello in a statement through his Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs crave Ohimege's indulgence and his subjects for their supports and cooperation to the administration of Yahaya Bello. That all the ongoing needless and baseless litigations are aimed at causing unnecessary dis...

The political taxi of Kogi state was given to the Ebira, Igala, Okun, Nupe, Ogori, Magongo, Oworo and Eggan people on 27th August, 1991 by the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The first political driver of the state, Danladi Mohammed Zakari was employed by the federal government to drive over two million kogites to their destinations. Mr. Zakari drove the taxi for 6months before he handed it over to Late Prince Abubakar Audu in January, 1992. Prince Abubakar Audu being part of those who had advocated for the creation of Kogi state and a notable son of the soil, was invited to take over the taxi which he drove for less than two years before the federal government forced other drivers on us – Colonel Paul Omeruo (December, 9, 1993 – August, 22, 1996), Colonel Bzigu Afakirya (August 22, 1996 – August, 1998), Augustine Aniebo (August, 1998 – May, 1999). Because of the confidence Kogi people have on Audu driving skills, he was handed over the key of the taxi on ...

The House of Representatives today took over the functions of the Kogi State House of Assembly over the crisis that engulfed the assembly in the last one month. In taking the decision at plenary, the House said its action was in line with the provision of Section 11 (4) of the 1999 Constitution, which says the National Assembly could take over the functions of any state assembly that is enmeshed in crisis. You can recalls that five members of the Kogi assembly purportedly impeached the speaker Momoh Jimoh Lawal and elected Umar Imam as new speaker. Consequently, the House passed a resolution a fortnight ago setting up an ad-hoc committee to visit the state assembly with a view to resolving the matter. Although the five lawmakers shunned the Reps panel, the committee submitted its report last week, which was considered at plenary today. The House also urged the Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase to immediately seal off the Kogi assembly since the House has taken over its...

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal for Kogi on Tuesday fixed March 14 and March15 for the adoption of pre-hearing addresses from parties in a suit challenging the election of Gov. Yahaya Bello. Mr James Faleke, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and five others, had filed six different petitions before the tribunal challenging the election of Bello. It would be recalled that Bello was declared winner of the Dec.5 gubernatorial election in the state. However, the parties challenged the election of the governor on the ground that he was not validly elected and that his election did not follow due process as contained in the Electoral Act. The parties challenging Bello’s election were the former governor of the state, Capt. Idris Wada of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Faleke of APC and Usman Zainab of African Development Congress. The others were Mr Akwu Goodman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Mr Emmanuel Ozigi of the Progressive People...

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed shock and sadness at the death of Barrister James Ocholi (SAN), who together with his wife and son were killed in a car crash in Abuja on March 6, 2016.  President Buhari described the Minister of State for Labour's death as untimely, regretting that Nigeria has lost a key component of the CHANGE agenda. "Barrister Ocholi was an accomplished and patriotic Nigerian, who was keen to accept the call to service at a time his country needed him," President Buhari said, adding that in the few months he had been in office, the late minister of state had already begun to distinguish himself through his commitment and dedication to his portfolio. The late Ocholi has had a long record of political association with President Buhari. President Buhari also consoled with the government and people of Kogi State, whom he described as having lost a distinguished and irreplaceable son. He prayed that God would comfort them and grant them the grac...

Press Release Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has expressed shock and devastation at the death of the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Barrister James Ocholi, SAN. The Governor described the late Ocholi as a pragmatic, dynamic, humane and brilliant law officer, who was known around the world for his dexterous approach to legal and political issues and one of the most unswerving constitutional lawyers Nigeria has ever produced. Alh. Bello recollected with nostalgia, how the late Senior Advocate of Nigeria joined other progressive minded individuals around the country to drive the intellectual pillars of the All Progressives Congress, describing the late Ocholi as a complete gentleman who was irrevocably committed to the advancement of Nigeria. The Governor also expressed deep sadness over the death of other members of the late Minister's family who were also victims of the ghastly accident which occurred along the Kaduna-Abuja road. He described the late Mi...

The Special Adviser to Governor and the acting Commissioner of Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alh. (Engr) Abubakar Ohere resumes office today. The briefing of the Ministry was held at the office of the Hon. Commisioner of the Ministry. The SA sought for the cooperation of the management and staff of the Ministry for productivity, creativity and commitment for effective service delivery in line with the New Direction. He stressed that the Ministry will seek the cooperation of our royal fathers to assist the Governor in ensuring peace and harmonious relationship  in their domain.  He urged the Local Government Chairmen to ensure that the magnanimity of His Excellency in eliminating the burden of inadequate funding, affecting the smooth operations of the Local Government Councils are greatly reduced, as such, it should be translated into the well-being of the workers and the common people in their respective local government areas. While addressing the leadership...