faulker057

Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu yesterday assured the Ebira Community in the State his administration’s readiness to provide social amenities and access roads to communities and villages to ease farming. The Governor gave the assurance while playing host to the Ebira Community who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.  Governor Akeredolu thanked the people for their support and loyalty, extending his greetings to his colleague in Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.  Not that alone, Governor Akeredolu used the opportunity to admonish the people on sanitation, urging them to always ensure to live in clean and serene environment irrespective of its remoteness. The Special Assistant to the Governor and Chairman of Ebira Community in APC, Honourable Hassan Ahete pledged the continuous supports of the Ebira people to the Akeredolu led- administration in the State and the re-election bid of President Mohammadu Buhari come 2019. Further, the Special Assistant re...

By Prince Osuagwu  Indication yesterday emerged that a looming telecom blackout which threatened about 13 states, including some parts of Abuja, might have been averted following the intervention of Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC.  The commission said its intervention in the dispute between telecom operators and Kogi State government led to the unsealing of telecom operators’ infrastructure in the state.  NCC said Governor Yahaya Bello had on Wednesday ordered the unsealing of telecom Base Transceiver Stations, BTS, restoring services to over 120 sites after a meeting between the governor and NCC (regulator) in Lokoja, the state capital. The governor was also said to have directed that court cases instituted by the state be withdrawn and amicable settlement reached between the telcomms and Kogi State government.  Penultimate week, the state shut down the BTSs following a standoff with telecom operators over revenue-related contention, which led the tel...

John Akinfehinwa (Daily Post) A Higher National Diploma student identified as Jacob Ufedo, and Abubakar Nuhu Sadiq a National Diploma student, both of the Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja have been arrested by the Police for their alleged involvement in armed robbery and illegal possession of fire arms. This is just as 21 others were arrested from their hideouts across the state for their involvement in kidnapping, armed robberies, cultism and other crime related activities. DAILY POST gathered that the two suspects finished their exam on the 7th of December and they are still writing their project before they were apprehended by the police. One of the suspects, Jacob Ufedo while regretting his action said this was the first time he ventured into armed robbery. According to him, “We collected a gun from one of our friends who we knew since 2016. After collecting it, we decided to make use of it since the economy is not smiling. This is the first I have robbed people of their belongi...

The aftermath of the fallouts from the last primary polls in Kogi may have started manifesting, as the Member representing Adavi/Okehi Constituency at the Green Chamber, Muhammed Kabir Ajanah has left the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ajanah who is currently the Vice Chairman, Commitee on Ports, Harbours and Waterways has now pitched his tent with the People's Democratic Party (PDP). He had contested the Senate Primaries in the Central Senatorial District of the state, which according to him was not devoid of irregularities and intimidation.  He is one out of the dozens of aggrieved aspirants in the primary elections who alleged gross misconduct and imposition of candidates.

The Senate has directed its Committee on Local and Foreign Debts to investigate allegation that the Kogi State is on the verge of borrowing the sum of $500 million (about N180 billion) from the United Arab Emirates. This was sequel to a motion raised by Senator Dino Melaye, who also pointed out that the State is already indebted to the sum of N40 billion. Melaye, who rose under Orders 42 and 52, added that the loan has been christened Loan of Debt Refinancing to avoid the Kogi State Government from approaching the National Assembly for approval. Melaye alleged that the loan would be used to fund the Kogi State and Presidential elections. He particularly expressed concern that a State, whose debt already stands at N40 billion, is borrowing N180 billion. “What it means is that the Government is borrowing to pay borrowed money,” he added. In his contribution, Senator Attai Aidoko said that it is unacceptable for the Kogi State people to accept an illegal borrowing. Aidoko added that...

If lying was a lucrative job,  Ebira Land would have been most likened to Silicon Valley, producing liepreneurs  by now ought to be competing with people like Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, and even Aliko Dangote. Like wildfire lit in harmattan, words recently saturated the land that popular Ikede vocalist, Onyeche Okumatete who died and was buried on Friday May 11th, 2018 had made a sudden appearance in allusion that she did not die.  To back the rumour up was an allegation that it was not only reported on Tao FM, but also stated that on the day of her funeral, a banana stem of her size was buried.  For such report similar to an unprecedented publicity stunt, Ebira Reporters spoke with sources in Tao FM who described the report as false, denying such as emanating from the people's radio.  At the time of filing this report, a close source to the family said she only heard of the report on Tuesday evening when her relative residing in Ekiti State called to v...

By Mohammed Ahmed Yabagi Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State is set to receive the Old Students of one of the oldest secondary schools in the ancient city; Crowther Memorial College, who would storm the town for a reunion. The event which is schedule to hold from Thursday, 29th November, 2018, is expected to host old students of the college from far back as the 1970s. Secretary of the planning committee and head boy of the 1988 set, Igiku Shadrack Edward, told our reporter that the event is aimed at making efforts to bring back the lost glory of the institution which was a reference point for academic prowess and discipline in the past.  He added that the reunion would also serve as an avenue to help suggest ways of raising funds to put back to shape some dilapidated structures in the school and give it its deserved look.  "Old friends who have last seen each other several decades ago would also have the opportunity of reconnecting and having positive rapport while catching u...

By John Akubo The death of Prince Abubakar Audu, who was Kogi State’s gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the November 2015 election, altered a lot of things, particularly the politics of the state where he was on course for a third term as governor before gave up the ghost. Audu’s eldest son, Muhammad, recalled the painful development over the weekend at Ogbonicha in Ofu Local Government Council of the state, during the third anniversary of his late father’s demise. He said apart from the painful loss, which humbled him, the death of his father was the biggest blow to the socio-political temperature of the state. Muhammad added that it has been tough and difficult trying to step into his father’s shoes, especially meeting the big challenge of maintaining his political organisation. He said, “He was a very successful politician, administrator, successful father, a very successful community man, and he was a statesman as well. Nationally, people adored him....

Kogi State Governor, Alh Yahaya Bello has donated the sum of N5million naira to no fewer than ten churches in the Central Senatorial District of Kogi State.  Bello made the donation on Sunday at the Centenary Anniversary of Christ The King Catholic Parish, Okene.  The benefiting Churches would be getting the sum of N500,000 each as a support to settling the various churches' needs.  The Churches are Gospel Assembly Adavi, Mountain Crusader Church Adavi, St Andrew Anglican Church Okene, Deeper Life Church Okene, St Paul's Anglican Church Okengwe, and Christ Apostolic Church Oboroke. Others include St Peter's Anglican Church Ikuehi, Gospel Assembly Eganyi, First Baptist Church Ajaokuta, and Catholic Church, Ogori.  In his speech, Bello preached the gospel of peace and unity amongst religious faithful, enjoining the Church to stand in the gap for the progress of the State.  In his vote of thanks, the Dean of Okene Deanery, Rev Fr Ezekiel Awolumate noted Bello...

One of Ebira foremost comic actors, Kekere Abdulmalik Itopa has passed on after a chronic heart disease that left him bedridden for days.  Itopa as he was popularly known, died at the late hours of Sunday, leaving the social media awashed with pictures of him.  Few hours before his passing away, his Director and movie Producer, Mr Calabash had commenced crowdfunding on facebook, soliciting for widow's mights that would give respite to the sick.  He posted; "I bring this to you, as a matter of urgency, to help save a life of one of our great talents in EbiraEntertainment In the person of Kekere Itopa Abdulmalik  who's currently bedridden with chronic heart condition. We understand the current economic situation, even 100 naira from a reasonable number of people could help him a long way. "In every condition, hope is necessary. The miseries of sickness without hope is insupportable. Let's give him a hope by donating our widow's might into his personal acco...

By Itodo Daniel Sule The Kogi State government said it is set to host the 37th edition of the Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA) which is scheduled to commence in Lokoja, the state capital on December 6, 2018. Kogi State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Prince Sani Ogu Salisu gave the indication at the weekend while inaugurating a 13-man Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the sports fiesta. Ogu, who said that the organisers of the games chose Kogi State to host the 37th edition because of the peaceful and conducive atmosphere in the state, assured that the state government was putting all necessary arrangements in place to make the event a huge success. He said the games would be officially declared opened on December 10, 2018 by the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. The LOC has Kogi State Youths and Sports Commissioner, Prince Sani Ogu Salisu as chairman and Sunday Daku as Secretary. Other members of the committee include Abdulmaliki Idaho, A...

By Itodo Daniel Sule Retired police officers in Kogi State have appealed to the Federal Government to direct appropriate authorities to pay their gratuities. The state chairman of the Association of Retired Police Officers, Alex Yusuf, in a statement yesterday, urged Federal Government to direct the Acting Director General of the National Pension Commission, the Inspector General of Police and the Police Pensions Limited to “kindly” make the payments. The gratuity, according to them, is 300 percent of their gross salary as at the time of retirement; 15 and 33 percent pension increase of 2007 and 2014 respectively. They referred to a motion by Hon. Wole Oke on the floor of the House of Representatives in 2017 on behalf of the police and paramilitary retirees to exit them from the contributory pension scheme.

Natasha Akpoti on Sunday promised to foot the education bills of the children of Yusuf Adabenege, who was assassinated by unknown gunmen on Okene, while also being at the beck and call of his mother.  Akpoti made the promise when she paid a condolence visit to the bereaved family at their Obehira residence in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, Isah Bala reports.  Describing Yusuf's passing as a great loss to the people of Ebiraland, Akpoti recalled that late Yusuf was a man of fairness who preached and stood forjustice. Barrr. Natasha spoke when she led her team delegation on a condolence visit to the Yusuf's family in their Obehira residence in Okene LGA, Kogi State. Akpoti said, "Late Mr. Yusuf was a good man, when some of our brothers were destroying my banners, he sued for peace and protected it, he stood for fairness and justice. "Though I didn't have the opportunity to meet him one on one, but am happy he lived a life of fairness and justice...

By Itodo Daniel Sule The combined forces of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies have arrested 20 suspected notorious criminals that have been terrorising the people of Kogi State through its Clearance Operation code named “Operation 777”. Acting Director, Defence Information of the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Brig Gen. John Agim disclosed this on Saturday at the Command Army Records, Lokoja, while briefing journalists on the activities of the Clearance Operation which was launched on October 8, 2018 to combat criminal activities across the country. He said the suspects were arrested following the intensity of offensive operations launched across the three senatorial districts of the state which led to the recovery of illegal arms which include 7 locally fabricated guns, one AK 47 rifle, two magazines and 45 rounds of assorted ammunition. The Army Spokesman said prominent amongst those arrested was one Eleme Salihu who had been a notorious kidnap kingpin operating along the...

By Alex Adeiza.  The Ebira people, my people arguably belong to the league of ethnic groups in Nigeria with a complete cultural system, beautifully packaged way of life and endeavours while peacefully coexisting. The Ebira culture when wholly researched and understood, reveals a communal and logical adoption of practices to complement the belief system of the people.  Our trajectory into this century has evidently witnessed a plummet in the observance of these cultural practices. Modern religion and civilization are solely responsible for this unfaithfulness to what our forefathers thought they had handed down to be passed on to generations. Concomitantly, the knowledge of these practices wanes gradually, yet at a pace that probably would be difficult for the next generation to grasp. In fact, some of my friends only got to know the mystery behind Ekuechi festival when my curiosity got me to write about it.  The day a man was born, the day he marries, and the day he di...

By Sam Egwu Abuja  Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, yesterday assured President Muhammadu Buhari of massive votes from North Central geopolitical zone in the 2019 presidential poll. Bello gave the assurance when he received the newly elected House of Representatives member for Ekiti/Isin/Oke Ero /Irepodun federal constituency of Kwara State, Hon Raheem Olawuyi. Governor Bello said all North Central APC governors are working hard to ensure landslide victory for the president in next February’s Presidential poll, assuring the electorate that they will be “protected to freely express their choice”. He stated: “Nobody will be allowed to intimidate anyone because it is the fundamental right of the electorate to make their choices. Kwarans have proved beyond doubt that despite all odds, they remain solidly behind President Muhammadu Buhari and our great party. “We now know what Kwarans want and where they want to be and we shall do everything within the ambit of the law to pr...

A woman, Amarachukwu Chineke, who allegedly obtained $49,800 (about N15, 438,000) from member representing Idah Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Emmanuel Egwu, under false pretences, was Monday brought before an Igbosere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. Chineke, 37, was arraigned by the Police Force Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID), Ikoyi, Lagos before Mrs Folashade Botoku on a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining under false pretence and stealing. Prosecuting Sergeant Friday Mameh, alleged that the defendant and others at large, committed the offences on September 19, on Abraham Adesanya Street, Lekki, Lagos. The court heard that Chineke obtained the money from Egwu, House of Representatives member representing Idah Federal Constituency, Kogi State under false pretence that she would exchange it to its Naira equivalent of N15, 438,000. Mameh said: “The defendant connived with others who are yet to be found to steal the sum of $ 49,...

Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Elder Simon Achuba has denied reports suggesting that he has defected to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In a press statement signed by his chief press secretary, Sylvester Akor, Achuba described the reports as false. He added that if there is any reason for him to defect, “it will not be at the backyard”. “The attention of the office of the Deputy Governor of Kogi State has been drawn to a certain rumour and misrepresentation in a section of the media to the effect that the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Elder Simon Achuba, has defected from the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). “To put the record straight, that report championed by the online media is not true. Considering the implications of such innuendos, we are constrained to categorically state that there is no iota of truth in the story making the rounds. “The purported report is therefore nothing but a poorly concocted piece of a malicious hatchet ...

By Sam Egwu  The Cassava City in Osara, Kogi State, has received a boost following arrangements by Contec Global, Geron Oil & Gas and Jil Farms to invest about $25 million in the cassava farms. The Director of Contec Global, Dr Sashi Mozumder, who made this known at the Cassava City Day held at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja, said his company, in partnership with Geron Oil & Gas, Praj India and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), will be producing 40,000 litres of bio-ethanol per day. He said, “The investment start-up on a turnkey basis is $25 million. The plant will employ over 2,500 people on a full time basis. “Contec consortium will provide inputs to farmers who will serve as out-growers for the scheme. They will also provide basic infrastructure such as rural roads, power and health centres.” The managing director, Geron Oil & Gas, Mr Haruna Madisca, and Mr Yakubu Danjuma, representing NNPC Renewable Energy Department, confirmed the commitment of ...

The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Elder Simon Achuba has denied media reports alleging that he had dumped the All Progressives Congress and Governor Yahaya Bello for the People's Democratic Party.  Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Sylvester Akor in a statement described the rumour as wicked and mischievous.  According to him, Achuba is still a loyal member of the APC and has no plans to leave as being circulated. Meanwhile, the NigerianPost has reported that the Deputy Governor has had running battle with his boss, with many alleging that the relationship is no longer cordial. The reports stated that Achuba  last collected salary in February, with his impress stopped since March.

Administrator of Adavi Local Government Area, Joseph Omuya Salami has added fresh hands into his retinue of cabinet members. The Council Boss announced the new appointees on Thurday at the Local Government Secretariat, while also inaugurating an Audit Committee on Secondary Schools in the council. The new appointees will be joining the no fewer than 140 appointed earlier in June, 2018. The new aides are Isah Ismaila Ozi, the Chief of Staff; Yakubu Sumaila, as Special Adviser on Security; and Yunusa Osuwa, Supervisor of Special Duty.  The Administrator  thanked the former Appointees for their contributions to Adavi LG.  In the same vein, Salami tasked the new audit committee on thorough and objective assignment, and the submission of reports in two weeks. 

By Itodo Daniel Sule Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) has denied shutting down 150 telecommunications base stations in the state as recently alleged by the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON). The Director, Legal Services and Enforcement of the agency, Barr. Jamil Isah, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lokoja, explained that only five sites of Airtel and about 10 sites of MTN were sealed for tax defaults following a court order obtained from a state High Court to distrain them. He said the fees demanded from the two telecommunications were legal and backed by law enacted by the Kogi State House of Assembly contrary to the claims made by the telecommunications operators. “The demanded levies, rents and fees are also not illegal. In the case of Airtel, they have not paid their Right of Way permit fees which allow them to lay fibre optic cables in Kogi state. “This payment has been due and owing since 2006.  There are also outs...

By Itodo Daniel Sule Mixed reactions have trailed the shutting down of some telecommunications base stations by the Kogi State government over alleged tax defaults. An Airtel subscriber in Lokoja, Omale James, said he had been unable to make calls, receive calls and access internet services with his line since the facilities were sealed. On his part, an MTN subscriber, Ogbole Moses said he had been experiencing fluctuating network services on his line in the past few weeks following the development. He called on the telecommunications service providers and the state government to urgently find ways of resolving the impasse so as to enable subscribers make use of their services. In the same, those in the banking sector and security agencies in the state have also raised concerns over the negative impacts of the development on their services. This is just as the Association of of Licensed Telecommunications Operators (ALTON) had raised alarm that 10 states and parts of Federal Capi...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned 22 officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and a retired INEC director, Ahmed Stephen Ozovehe, in Kogi State for offences bordering on criminal conspiracy. They were arraigned before Justice Alaba Ajileye of the Kogi State High Court, Koton-Karfe. It was alleged that sometimes in March 2015, the defendants engaged themselves in criminal act of conspiracy to fraudulently obtain the sum of N32, 120,000 (Thirty two Million, One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira) only as benefits to themselves during the 2015 general elections.  Prosecuting counsel, G.K. Latona, informed the court that the matter was slated for arraignment. "However, due to the absence of the second defendant, I will be seeking for a short adjournment to enable me determine the next step to take regarding the matter," he said. The defendant was said to be among the INEC staff that lost their lives in a tragic motor acc...