Images of Ebiraland

President Muhammadu Buhari has received with sadness and an immense feeling of great national loss, news of the passing away of the highly revered traditional ruler of Benin Kingdom, Omo  n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa. On behalf of the Federal Government, President Buhari extends sincere condolences to Governor Adams Oshiomhole,  the people of Benin Kingdom and Edo State on the passage of the beloved monarch who had ruled over his people since his ascension to the throne in 1979. The President extends  special  commiserations to  Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa and other members of the late Oba's immediate family. President Buhari assures them of the fullest sympathy and solidarity of the Federal Government and all Nigerians as they mourn Oba Erediauwa who will always be remembered as one of the most outstanding traditional rulers of his era. As the late Oba goes to join his very illustrious royal ancestors, President Buhari believes that his pl...

The present administration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello has restated its commitment towards ensuring that youths in the state are carried along in all its programmes and policies. This assurance was given last week by the special Adviser to the governor on youths; sports and students affairs, Comrade Arome Adoji, while speaking on behalf of the present administration in the state during an award presentation ceremony by the Education Management students Association of the University of Ibadan, F.C.E Okene undergraduate programme. Speaking, comrade Arome who said “the government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello is a government of the youths” disclosed that within the short time this administration came on board, it has granted scholarship to 500 Kogi State students schooling in Kwara State. He also disclosed that the present administration is presently in discussion with the central bank of Nigeria for a loan facility that would be channelled to empower about 5,000 youths of the state. T...

It is no gainsaying that the 6th NEC of the Ebira Youth Congress, at inauguration, inherited a seemingly more volatile Ebira terrain featured with a messy security situation. To say the least, the land has appeared more vulnerable, hapless and helpless in recent times as such that could not be let be by the EYC naturally. Amidst the insecurity episode, suddenly occured the regrettable loss of one youth-agitator against the epileptic power supply. And of course, the stride of the EYC to immediately quell the dust raised therefrom cannot be taken away. On-the-spot assessment, meetings with the relevant axes, mass media plea and sue for calm were our major potent activation unto the feat. For the records, the occasion of our inauguration as the EYC National Executive Council was held as Ebira youths wallowed in the shared melancholy of a statesman - Pastor Joseph Suleiman, whose son was still languishing in the ruthless hands of his captors. After then till now, suchlike iniquities are s...

By Otori Ozigi As we are all already aware, one of the key components of the change agenda of the present Federal Government under the watchful eyes of President Muhammadu Buhari is the ongoing total war on corruption and other financial crimes. It is an incontrovertible fact that the greatest problem of Kogi State since its creation in 1991 is the hydra-headed monster of unbridled corruption and impunity; it is arguably  safe to say that the full story of corruption and its havoc in the state would probably take another generation to tell- there is enough evidence on ground to suggest that there is full scale corruption in low and high places in all facets of our lives. The culture of corruption in all institutions and organizations in both formal and informal sectors of the state has been promoted to a height where it is a way of life. No profession is a saint or an exception in this unwholesome phenomenon that has contributed in no small measure to bringing Kogi state on her k...

MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE CALLING ON THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE SIX (6) MOTORIZED BOREHOLES WITH GENERATING SETS FOR THE PEOPLE OF NAGAZI IN ADAVI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA Whereas: Water is one of the basic necessities of life that has no substitute, therefore, making it an unavoidable essential need of human beings. Whereas:  To this, every successive Government strives to ensure adequate portable water supply for her electorates as one of the dividends of democracy. Whereas:  The people of Nagazi in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State are facing their critical moment with acute shortage of water supply because their source of getting water is nothing to write home about. Whereas: If urgent action is not taken, the Area is prone to outbreak of water borne diseases and prevention is better than cure. Whereas: To ensure that the inhabitants of Nagazi is prevented from future water infection and to equally feel the impact of democratic change, be it therefo...

By Usman Jamiu. For every great mind that have been following the agitation for the revival of Ajaokuta, Natasha will be a familiar name. Natasha Akpoti is the daughter of a renown Ebira Medical practitioner, Dr Akpoti. Late doctor Akpoti was no doubt a man whose legacy in the medical field and his impact to Ebira land can not be forgotten in a jiffy. Natasha Akpoti is a barrister, industrial expert and human activist. Her passion to see our teeming youths succeed and in turn earn a decent living led to the establishment of a well known NGO, Builders Hub. Through the said NGO, she has touched the life of millions of Nigerian youths across the length and breath of the country. I reckon with her great virtues when she flagged off the search program for indigenous craft men and women across the three senatorial constituency of Kogi sate. So many people have defined this rear gem as a goal getter with a golden heart, I on the other hand calls her a "woman who knows and does too much...

NASS Commission boss replies Saraki, refuses to withdraw Clerk’s appointmentApril 26, 2016 Saraki rejects Omolori as Clerk to the National AssemblyApril 22, 2016 National Assembly gets new ClerkApril 20, 2016 Senate, Reps postpone resumption date as leadership crises persistJuly 18, 2015 Saraki appoints Chief of Staff, media aideJune 23, 2015 Details of how the National Assembly Service Commission nominated Mohammed Sani-Omolori ahead of Ben Efeturi for the position of the acting Clerk to the National Assembly, have emerged. The Commission had last Wednesday picked Mr. Sani-Omolori, currently the Clerk of the House of Representatives, as the next Clerk to the National Assembly. He will succeed Salisu Maikasuwa, who is proceeding on retirement leave on May 14. The Commission said Mr. Sani-Omolori would assume duties on May 13. However, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who is the Chairman of the National Assembly, has faulted the procedure adopted in choosing the new a...

By Prince Abdulkareem A NEW process starting from FRESH APPLICATION was done by Governor Yahaya Bello. Former governor Wada's faulty but unwieldy process was jettisoned as it was fraught with myriad flaws! All Civil Servants and the entire Kogites should thank God this Bailout did not fall into the hands of the government of duplicity — the microscopic cabal of goons who diverted and butchered 2 Billion Naira meant to create Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in RAW CASH to themselves, and turned around to approve it out as Grants! The heist of our collective patrimony under Wada's administration was downright deregulated, monumental, colossal, and of gargantuan magnitude! God your mercies for Kogi people is not in doubt. Na so Bailout fund for enter looters pocket! As for those who are ganging up and planning proxy coup against the people's Governor Yahaya Bello, they have pushed the triggers and the nozzles are facing them. They have shot themselves in the foot.

By Barr. Omeiza Shadrach, E. The wee hours of 27th day of April, 2016, witnessed an upsurge of criticism from the expectant critics waiting for the 100 days in office of Governor Yahaya Bello. True to their readiness, they viciously slammed Governor Yahaya Bello for utter failure to deliver or transform Kogi State to their desired haven within 100 days, but alas, its just 90 days of Governor Yahaya Bello in office.  This shows a matchless level of expectation from the critics, albeit in a twisted manner. The past administration really tried, in fact seriously tried to transform Kogi State to El Dorado but is only that we cannot just see and point to the visible result of their projects, not even a microscopic one. Pardon the sarcasm. However, just to mention few, ghost workers dominate civil service and civil servants stopped smiling their ways to the Banks. Courtesy of the past administration. It is okay to expect development and transformation in the State from the current adm...

Organised labour in Kogi said on Monday in Lokoja that it would resume strike to impress it on the state government on the need to pay outstanding five-month salary arrears to workers. This is contained in a communiqué issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) at the end of an emergency meeting. The communiqué was jointly signed by Mr Onuh Edoka, the state NLC Chairman; Mr Ojo Ranti Matthew, Chairman of TUC and Mr Aaron Akeji, the Chairman of JNC. The communiqué stated that previous promises by the state government to pay the salary arrears had not been kept. It also condemned the payment of salary in piecemeal; adding that salaries for the months of October and November, 2015 were paid three months after each of the month was due. The communiqué also decried the exclusion of Workers employed between January and December, 2015 from receiving the November, 2015 salaries. It urged the...

By Akuta Youths The smelly but a concocted insinuations swirling all eaves of our political spheres to doctor the obviously spotless image and the well-nurtured rapport of Ezi-Akuta with Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello is not only jealous and petty, but equally mischievous, nauseating and uncalled-for. And very hopefully enough, Akuta as a clan shall not only survive the politically smarmy permutations of the perpetrating imps but shall also finally wax stronger and immerse completely all attempted machinations bid at hampering the serene terrain on which the unity and harmonious co-existence of Anebira is established as it stands today. The leadership of Governor Yahaya Bello is a product of the celetial stamping which becomes even more impalpable upon one's contemplating of its meditation, and as such may all wise men mellow and succumb hook, line, and sinker. Thus, all gestures of dirty clannish colouration tailored at maiming this feat shall only continually appear rickety, faile...

By Cmr. Umar Adarehi Let me start my write-up by posing this question to the good people of Kogi Central & by extension Kogi state as a whole-WHAT HAS MADE THE ALMIGHTY DPR (Department of Petroleum Resources) SO POWERLESS AND EXTINCT IN KOGI STATE??? The DPR is established to monitor & regulate the activities of Petrol stations to avoid sharp practices such as selling above pump price, under dispensing (referred to as adjustment by we the buyers of PMS). The DPR is working round the clock in other parts of the country to the advantage of the PMS (Prenium Motor Spirit) consumers which we call petrol. This is evident in the sealing up of petrol stations & free distribution of petrol to motorists when any incidence of the aforementioned sharp practises is noticed.  These sharp practises by petrol stations thrive in Kogi State & Kogi Central in particular as if the geographical entities have been carved out of Nigeria. DPR have been so blind to see the daylight rob...

By Mohammed Abubakar Abuja Perfect House of Friends( PHF), a non governmental organization has described  the  senate president directive  to the National Assembly Service  Commission  reversing the  appointment of Alhaji Mohammed Sani- Omolori as Acting Clerk of the National Assembly as a  clear usurpation of the constitutional power of the Commission by senate president. Reacting to senator Bukola  Saraki's counter directive in a press statement issued over the weekend , PHF President Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed said  Saraki directive  on Friday was  a violation of section 8 of the Act that set up the Commission which confers on it, the power to make appointments,  disciplinary control over persons  without being subjected to the direction or control of any authority or persons.  Mohammed said that,  a memorandum by the Executive Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, Dr. Adamu Mohammed Fika...

Following the crisis within the All Progressives Congress, APC, family in Kogi State alot of press conferences has being held some in favour and against   the incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello. Recently the Coliation of APC Support Groups led by Dr. Yakubu Ugwolawo expressed concern on the issues bordering on 'Vote of no confidence' said to have being passed on Governor Yahaya Bello by the State Executive Committee of the All Progressive Congress led by its Chairman, Alhaji Haddy Ametuo. Dr Ugwolawo, during a media parley, said "the time for this vote of no confidence by the State Executive committee of the party seems to us, to be inappropriate and diversionary, judging from the current legal issues, which are being handled at the election Tribunal in respect of the governorship election " Some aggrieved stakeholders asked the governor to resign while wards executives across the 21 local government councils and the youths wing of the party threw their weight behind...

The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has hailed the appointment of Chief Mohammed Ataba Sani-Omolori as Acting Clerk of the National Assembly. Alhaji Bello said with Omolori’s appointment, the National Assembly will benefit immensely from his wealth of experience, hard work and dedication to duty as attested to by the National Assembly Service Commission. He said the new clerk will bring dexterity to the administration of the National Assembly as he has become a master of operations of the nation’s legislature. Governor Bello said the Omolori story is a mirror of the abundant human resource which abound in Kogi State, saying the state has continued to produce critical drivers of the nation’s change vehicle. He assured the new clerk of greater collaboration between the state and the National Assembly to move the state forward, urging the nation’s legislative arm to key into the change agenda of the Buhari administration. Governor Bello urged Omolor...

The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has hailed the appointment of Chief Mohammed Ataba Sani-Omolori as Acting Clerk of the National Assembly. Alhaji Bello said with Omolori’s appointment, the National Assembly will benefit immensely from his wealth of experience, hard work and dedication to duty as attested to by the National Assembly Service Commission. He said the new clerk will bring dexterity to the administration of the National Assembly as he has become a master of operations of the nation’s legislature. Governor Bello said the Omolori story is a mirror of the abundant human resource which abound in Kogi State, saying the state has continued to produce critical drivers of the nation’s change vehicle. He assured the new clerk of greater collaboration between the state and the National Assembly to move the state forward, urging the nation’s legislative arm to key into the change agenda of the Buhari administration. Governor Bello urged Omolor...

In my quest to moving Kogi state forward, I will look back at the mistake of others and profer  a corrective measures  during the course of my administration. ..GYB. I am going to select people of proven integrity and character to help me in running my administration . .GYB. I did not come into power via influence of any god father, my enthonement as number one citizen of Kogi state was not by any body's doing, not even my self but by the almighty God. I will therefore rule the state with the fear  of God and I will not compromise in delivering dividends of democracy to all Kogites. ...GYB. We all agree that part of reasons why  the past administrations failed was the character of the people around our leaders.  A situation where one godfather handpicked  his boy to be doing his bidding under another man's government is what GYB stand against in selecting his aids.  Should GYB fail  (God forbid) his name will be mentioned, not that of those see...

7Mohammed Sani-Omolori has been appointed acting Clerk to the National Assembly. The appointment was made on Wednesday in a letter signed by the Executive Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, Adamu Fika. “I am writing you that the National Assembly Service Commission at its 440th meeting held on Wednesday, April 16, 2016, has approved your appointment as Acting Clerk to the National Assembly,” the letter read. “The appointment which takes effect from 13th May, 2016 to 15th August, 2016 is in exercise of its powers as provided in the Section 6b of the National Service Commission Act 2014.” Mr. Sani-Omolori will succeed Salisu Maikasuwa who will commence his pre-retirement leave May 14, 2016. Mr. Sani-Omolori currently serves as the Clerk to the House of Representatives. He is the Ciroma of Ebira land, Kogi State, and son of the immediate past Ohinoyi and paramount traditional chief of Ebira. Born June 7, 1961, in Okene, North Central Nigeri...

By now, it should be abundantly clear to all moderate observers, Anebira and non-Anebira alike, that Ebira is yet at another critical crossroads in her socio-political journey. Some prevailing happenings bordering Kogi State polity/governance cum Anebira in-house tussles should and must leave all genuine minds meticulously and soberly reflecting. While many are still basking in the euphoria of our nascent political freedom as symbolized in our ascension to the helm of affairs of our dear Kogi State, and of course, gathering the baskets to collect the goodies that come with it; the boat is being rocked by both internal and external forces. Qwaqwaa! Where and how did we get it so wrong? Are we truly an impossible and unmanageable people? Why our quick regression into this sorry state of yesterday? Or could these be doses from our touted and warped republicanism, where self-wrecking endeavours find and enjoy ample excuses? These and many more are agitating concerned minds. Our refusal or...

The House of Representatives Member Representing Okehi Adavi Federal Constituency,Hon . Muhammed Kabir Ajanah, have expressed deep shock at the demise of a legendary  musician,Alhaji Amodu Sanni Anikoh. Hon.Ajanah,Speaking through his media office in Abuja,said he was sad when he heard of Amodu’s death. He described him as an exceptional human being, whose musical talents remained unrivalled till the very end. In a condolence message  to the deceased’s families, Hon.Ajanah  said Amodu’s passage to the great beyond had left a big vacuum which would be very difficult to fill. He described Alhaji Amodu’s brand of socio-cultural  music as inimitable, adding that he was filled with memories of his rich contributions to Ebira nations development through his strong messages against socio-cultural and political ills. “As a true Ebira music ambassador, whose pure Socio-cultural songs has remained evergreen across social classes,Alhaji ...

A splinter group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State had yesterday faulted the vote of no confidence passed on Governor Yahaya Bello by some executive members of the party. Deputy state women leader of the party, Deborah Oyiza Isuguzo, who addressed newsmen alongside other members of the group, debunked the allegations that the governor was not carrying the party along, adding that they are behind the governor. According to the group, the purported vote of no confidence passed on Bello was the handiwork of the APC deputy governorship candidate in the last election, James Abiodun Faleke. But Faleke, speaking through his media aide, Duro Meseko, had denied hands in the sharp division between the APC and the governor. “We hereby reiterate once again that Hon Faleke has no hand in the vote of no confidence passed on Yahaya Bello by more than 99 percent of the state Exco. From what we know, the state Exco is peopled by patriotic men and women of integrity....

It has been reported that three officials of Niomoco Ltd, a company in the Itakpe area of Kogi state, were abducted on Monday, while their kidnappers have demanded a ransom of N30million. The identity of the victims has been revealed by one of their colleagues who identified the affected workers as John Job, Mohammed Tajudeene, and Samuel Abiodun, adding that the incident took place as they were about resuming the day’s operation. "They were abducted as they were about entering the Niomco management building, after the second gate of ore rail line division of the engineering services department of the company. "The kidnappers later called the chief executive to demand for N30 million ransom. This is the first time that we are experiencing this act, though we have experienced robbery within the premises. "We would appreciate if they can be rescued because their families cannot handle the situation," the colleague said. It was gathered that kidnapping is on t...

By Alexandra Gyang Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, has commended the Federal Government and the World Bank, whose collaboration is set to tackle erosion in the state. The project, which started in 2013 with seven South Eastern States, has incorporated Kogi in the second phase of seven new states to benefit from the World Bank’s eight-year Strategic Investment Loan (SIL) of $508.59 million to ameliorate the effect of environmental degradation. The partnership that will see to the implementation of Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) in vulnerable communities, he said has lifted a great burden off his administration. Advertisement Addressing World Bank and NEWMAP team, yesterday, in Lokoja, Bello lauded the initiative, adding that environmental degradation and its challenges had been a serious dilemma for his administration, whose resource is very slim. “It’s a good thing now that the international donor agency and World Bank are coming t...

By Bode Gbadebob(Leadership.ng) Startling details have emerged as to reasons why the Original Builders of Ajaokuta Steel Complex have not yet been considered as probable technical partners for the completion of Ajaokuta Steel Mill. Speaking at a book presentation, “Whither Nigeria” and birthday dinner to mark Prof. Pat Utomi’s birthday in Lagos, the minister of Solid Minerals Dr. Kayode Fayemi explained why he had to look for solutions away from the original builders of Ajaokuta Steel Complex, TyazhPromExport (TPE) of Russia. He said the Russians were his first choice of contact, but on approaching the Russian Ambassador, he was told that the Russians were only interested in offering consultancy services towards Ajaokuta. This, he believed, was largely due to the effects of the breakup of the Soviet Union as some part of the company now falls in Ukraine and other former Soviet states. He expressed concern over the urgent need to diversify the economy and promised ...

By Abdulkarimu Abdulmalik The governor, who was reacting to the vote of no confidence passed on him by the state executive members of the party, said it is his constitutional responsibility to appoint his personal aides without any recourse to a group of people, provided the person meet up the requirement as stipulated by law of the land. The governor made his stand known on the issue through a statement released to the media and obtained by special adviser on media and strategy, Mallam Abdulkarim Abdulmalik. Governor Bello also stated that he was yet to be informed by the national secretariat of APC about the petition by the state chapter of the party. He opined that he is running an all inclusive government and the APC leadership in the state are free to recommend anyone for any appointment provided the person is well qualified to fill such position. According to the governor, his government is working towards unity and as such his doors are always open to accommodate every body...

His Excellency, Alh Yahaya Bello is the Executive Governor of Kogi State, we must all come to terms with this glaring reality. Therefore, some members of the APC who are aggrieved without any cogent reason other than playing to the antics of some self-centered politicians, so called leaders of the APC in the State, are being deceived. It is high time they come down from their high horses, swallow their prides and join the New Direction for the best interest of the people. The founder of FairWin, Prince Abdulkareem Onyekehi Suleiman, speaking in an interview with the correspondent of NewsDay Newspaper in Abuja about the purported "Vote of no confidence on Gov. Yahaya Bello" advised some of the APC executives in Kogi State to accept the will of God and beware of selfish politicians who are desperately out to sabotage the administration of Gov. Yahaya Bello. He urged them to demonstrate their loyalties and supports and join the New Direction of Gov. Yahaya Bello for the collect...

Dear Abubakar Bukola Saraki My Distinguished Senator and Senate President: I am forced to send this letter through this media hopefully it will get to you. I have no other means to reach you. I am sending this letter for 3 reasons: - I was one of those who donated to your Governorship project in 2003 at Muson centre in Lagos. So by that act I had become an investor in the “Bukola Project” and as an investor I should be concerned by the performance of that investment. - Secondly you raised my hope when you promised real change when you became the Senate president in June last year. - Thirdly you belong to my generation (those that were born on or after Nigeria independence in 1st October 1960).  This is important because if we that took over from fathers who fought for independence could not maintain what they handed over to us, then history will not forgive us. The purpose of this letter is to let you know that the “Bukola” brand is sickening to the pub...

By Ibrahim Onimisi Immediately after his inauguration, His Excellency Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello intimated his focus of agenda for government workers, particularly local government workers, whose welfare problem has been most visibly a challenge to all. He intended to do this through what he called local government autonomy under his watch. A policy we all strongly believe is the solution to the problem of we local government workers without looking at the caveat. It was well applauded with so much appreciation to the new government of the day. The occasion of this formal elucidation of his policy was at a high profile joint meeting he had with combined labour leaders of the state, who are also oblivious of the caveat attached to such pronunciation made by the governor. These Capitalist in progressive uniforms self called labour leaders, who doesn't no anything about Trade Union Congress Act, yet donning the masquerade of progressive... At this event, the governor revealed therei...

Grassroot strengthening of Kogi State Governance - a worthy legacy of Alh. Abubakar Ohere , SA to Kogi State Governor on LG and Chieftaincy Affairs. The numerous grassroots strengthening of the Governmentof His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello by and through the pro-activeness of Alh Ohere, the SA on LG and Chieftaincy Affairs, is worthy of recognition and commendation. Within the short time of his assumption of that critical arm of the state governance, Alhaji Ohere has criss-crossed Kogi State and mustered the needed support for a befitting take-off and strengthening of the new state government. In his effortat helping the new government smooth and embracing take-off, his effort has garnered the needed community and grassroot interaction of the state governance system with the people. This is an approach worthy of emulation and adaptation if the people must feel the impact of governance.He has successfully identified stakeholders within the LG system, and ensuring an indepth under...

By Barr. Omeiza Shadrach, E. Seated like a participant in a popular program titled, "Who wants to be a millionaire", Idris Wada, one of the challengers of Governor Yahaya Bello's mandate, adopted his witness statement on oath, having been sworn to an oath to say nothing but the truth as he gives his evidence as a star witness in the case. The counsel to Wada laboriously led him through the examination-in-chief, tendering series of documents including a photocopy of Wada's PVC, which are really not relevant to the petition. At the tail end of the examination-in-chief, Wada was asked what he wants the Tribunal to do for him, and he said "I want the Tribunal to declare me the winner of the kogi state election"! Within me, I said, "If wishes were horses, beggars will ride". Then the time came when his evidence was subjected to judicial scrutiny, and in no time, Wada crumbled his case by himself all alone as we will soon see. I will try to give some...

By Barr. Omeiza Shadrach, E. There is always a needless hype from the people who are jittery of the prospect of failure in an adventure. These kind of people will always have imaginary victory and celebrate in the vacuum, but its all a mirage. The political supporters of Wada, overwhelmed with strange ecstasy ran amok on the dusty street of Jabi and besieged the media hemisphere with the news that, the "forensic documentary evidence" tendered by the Counsel to Wada was admitted in evidence. "That's all". I am sure that even the counsel to their boss will be aghast at the baseless and needless show of the ecstasy by the overzealous supporters. That the "forensic documentary evidence" was admitted in evidence is not the end of the case neither does it suggests victory for the Petitioner. In fact, is nothing but a footnote of the case which can fall like a pack of cards at any given time. We have seen that nemesis catching up with the so called ...