FUNDING FOR ODA UNDER THE NEW EXECUTIVE

Good day all Sons and Daughters of Okun Nation. On behalf of the recently sworn in Executive, I want to once again thank you for the overwhelming support you demonstrated in voting us into office. Even after the election, there has been tremendous expression of enthusiasm and willingness to work with the new team to ensure we deliver on our mandate. Many people have made written suggestions and some through telephone conversations. When put together with our own ideas as the Executive, it is obvious that we have a blueprint that will enable us make a significant difference.

The only BUT is finance. We all know the place of finance in every viable organisation, regardless of the nature of the organisation. Without adequate funding, our enthusiasm, willingness and determination will remain just that- enthusiasm, willingness and determination. In fact, within a short time all these will turn to frustration.

We do not want this to happen. That is why we are sending this message across to all of us. Our Association is cash strapped. Funding was also a major challenge for the immediate past Executive.

If we must succeed We need to be funded. In doing this we do not intend to overburden any particular individual or persons. If only we all agree to translate our support before, during and after the election into a civic responsibility for the love and sake of Okun, we should be reasonably okay.

One of the sources of funding for ODA is the provision in our Constitution for a registration fee and an annual fee to be paid by all adult Okun Sons and Daughters at home and in the diaspora. As is the practice in most organisations, payment of these is what will give you and I a STRONG and equal voice in the affairs of ODA. The two currently add up to =N=5,000.00 per annum. Yes. Per annum. Imagine If 100% of members pay this in a year. May be 100% is too ambitious. Say 50% pay up. If that happens, the funding of ODA will not be a burden on one person or a few people.

This is why we are making this passionate appeal to us all. Let us perform this simple civic obligation to the place we call our own. Be assured of one thing. Every kobo so contributed will be adequately accounted for at every AGM through a joint report by both the Treasurer and the Financial Secretary. 

*How Do We Pay This?*

Technology has removed all past encumbrances normally associated such. A simple transfer on any of the bank platforms on your handheld device will do. All the banks provide such services these days.

*Where Do I Pay To?*

The ODA account details for all such payment is stated below.

*ACCOUNT NAME:OKUN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION*

*BANK: FIRST BANK PLC*
*ACCOUNT NUMBER: 200 184 9398*

Our God that promised to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory will meet each and everyone of us in every area of our needs.

Give Yourself A Strong Voice in The Affairs Of ODA By Paying Your Registration and Annual Dues of =N=5,000.00

Stand Up To Be Counted pls.
ILE OKUN AGBE GHA
 O

*Bar. Pius Femi Mokikan*
 National President

Kogi Sponsors Non Indigenes On Pilgrimage Amidst Non payment of Salaries.

Kogi State Government in his characteristic manner of squandering the state resources and putting self-serving interest above the general well being of her citizens sponsored well paid non indigenous workers on pilgrimage.

Kelechi Okoro, one of the non indigene and also one of the well paid State worker whose salaries has been paid till date is one of those sponsored at the expense of the state and other unpaid workers.


The self-acclaimed Government House medical Doctor who has been feeding fat on the collective patrimony of the state was sighted among many other non indigenes who made the list.

Months back,  the same Kelechi Okoro received bashing from Kogites when she publicly described Kogites as being not intelligent enough to handle the government social media advocacy job. She openly praised the State government for chunking out millions of Naira to organize seminar for non indigenous social media influencers brought in from Lagos despite owing over 17months salaries. The recruited social media influencers are expected to help redeem the battered image of the government.

The government has also been advised to make public the names of those who made the 2017 Pilgrimage and how much of the state resources is involved.

It's no more news that in 2015, Governor El-Rufai of Kaduna State saved over N221m for refusing to spend on pilgrimage but rather saved the resources to be able to attend to other pressing issues such as qualitative education and health care.

Recently the Kogi State Government imprudently emulated the same Kaduna State to conduct competency test for teachers but could not emulate the state in cutting down government expenses to be able to attend to pressing issues such payment of workers salaries.

Atiku Agrees To Meet Obasanjo Over His Presidential Ambition

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar may have tactically agreed to meet with his former boss, Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

This follows the advise of given by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Jonathan had, in an interview, described Obasanjo as 

He had advised the former Vice President to reconcile with Obasanjo in order realize his political ambition.

Although Obasanjo has quit partisan politics, Jonathan is of the opinion that he is still a strong factor in shaping the future of the nation in 2019.

Obasanjo has not hidden his dislike for Atiku and had said Atiku will never be President of Nigeria during his life time.

Atiku had dared Obasanjo and contested against his boss anointed candidate in 2007, late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

He came third after Yar’Adua and President Muhammadu Buhari of the then All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP).

Atiku, who on Friday dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress, is highly favoured to win the PDP presidential ticket.

Atiku has already started meeting with leaders of the PDP.

He is also expected to meet with former Nigerian leaders including Obasanjo.

Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, who stated this, said his has not ruled out the possibility of holding talks with  Obasanjo despite his disdain with Atiku.

Ibe explained that Atiku, a master of consensus building, would not discountenance the importance of carrying everyone along.

Buhari Describes APC As "Oyegun's Party", Not "Our" Party

President Muhammad Buhari has reacted to the resignation of All Progressives Congress, APC chieftain, Atiku Abubakar on Friday last week.

Although this would not be in the way you expect it, the President’s reaction came with some sympathy to the party’s leadership.

On Monday, the President sympathised with the National Chairman of the ruling APC, John Oyegun, over the exit of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar from the party.

Buhari chose the venue of the inauguration of the Ama Pepple-led National Minimum Wage Committee to convey his heart-felt 

The President made his position known while acknowledging dignitaries that attended the event before his remarks.

Also Read: Atiku Agrees To Meet Obasanjo Over His Presidential Ambition

Turning to Odigie-Oyegun, Buhari said, “Accept my sympathy for losing a senior member of your party.”

Although he did not mention a name, it was obvious that the President was referring to Atiku.

The former vice-president was one of those who contested the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2015 general elections and lost to Buhari.

Buhari and his spokesmen have avoided speaking on Atiku’s exit since the news broke on Friday.

Re: Hon. (Prince) Kolawole’s Appointment an Assault on Bunu People

Bunu Emancipation and Advocacy Frontiers should concentrate on more serious issues bordering on the development of the district.


Our attention has been drawn to a purported write up orchestrated to cause disaffection between Rt. Hon. (Prince) Matthew Kolawole and the good loving people of Bunu district and also to malign the personality and good records of the member representing Kabba/Bunu State Constituency and Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly.


Rt. Hon. (Prince) Matthew Kolawole never denied the fact that his father hailed from Gbeleko community in Kabba district while his mother hailed from Aiyetoro-Kiri community in Bunu district as such he has been working assiduously for the overall development of the two districts as a true son that belong to both sides of the local government area.

As a devoted Christian there is no gain saying that it is only God the maker of heaven and earth that determine the destiny of a man whose time is set by Himself, hence no mortal possesses the capacity to say whether it is in his or her power to fulfil destiny for a man until the appointed time set by God is ripe.

However, it is true Rt. Hon. (Prince) Matthew Kolawole contested in 2007 to represent the people of Kabba/Bunu Constituency but despite he was loved by the majority of the electorates then and God in His infinite wisdom felt it was not ripe for him to be, something happened that delay the glory until now that we are witnessing.

Attributing the great success and victory the Speaker had at both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Assembly Party Primary where he defeated his co - contestant with 6 votes, 43 votes against 37 votes and subsequently his overwhelming victory at the General Elections to only Bunu district is not only uncalled for but a deliberate effort to rubbish and tarnish the long age love, unity and peace that has existed among our forefathers in the Local Government Area, as no particular district can lay claims to what God and the people of Kabba/Bunu did before, during and after the said election.

To put the record straight, at the General Election, the Speaker won in only 3 wards in Bunu district, Odo-Ape, Okebukun and Akutupa-Kiri while he lost in Aiyetoro-Kiri, Iluke and Olle-Okeofin respectively.

In Kabba district with 9 wards, he won in Egbeda, Otu, Bolorunduro – Odo-Akete, Aiyewa and Okekoko, 5 wards while in Asuta ward, APC then only won with 4 votes difference, in total, he won 8 Wards against 7, where is the assertion of the above name group come from, if not just because they have ulterior motives to create tensions among the two loving districts.

To God be the glory, Rt. Hon. (Prince) Matthew Kolawole was elected the 12th Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly on the 3rd August, 2017 following the voluntary resignation of the immediate past Speaker, Rt. Hon. Urman Alfa Imam, a feat, none of our representatives in the past, since the Nigeria state got her independent in 1960 has ever achieved.

However, 12 positions where allotted as supporting staff that will assist the Speaker to carry out his functions effectively and efficiently putting professionalism and experience as core issues to determine who occupy those positions.

Therefore, saying that the Speaker appointed his aides without due regard to history and forgetting how Bunu played the joker that gave him victory at both the Party Primary and General Elections is an understatement, since the Speaker has little or no influence on how some of the aides that will be appointed considering the laid down procedures for appointment of such officers and we should also not lose sight of the fact that he is not a Speaker of Kabba/Bunu House of Assembly, rather he is the Honourable Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, that covers the entire state.

To make it clearer to them, the Chief of Staff must be a career person who must have attained a directorate level and working with the State House of Assembly while the Chief Press Secretary must also be a practising Journalist with cognate experience.

Now, we are left with the following positions.

Special Adviser

Chief Protocol Officer

Personal Assistant I

Personal Assistant II

Senior Special Assistant

5 additional Special Assistants

These positions were distributed among the local governments that made up of Kogi West Senatorial District, being a detribalise leader that want to carry everyone along all segments. Among the appointees, we have people from Lokoja, Mopamuro, Yagba –East, Yagba –West, Ijumu and there is no position call Assistant Personal Assistant, both Personal Assistant I and II have the same salary, emolument structure and benefits.

Understanding the enormous responsibilities inherent in such position and realising that only 12 slots would not be enough for the people of his constituency, Rt Hon. (Prince) Matthew Kolawole decided on his own out of his allowance to give employment/appointment to over 70 youths across the fifteen wards. 3 each per wards with Bunu district enjoying 4 slots each from the 6 wards that make up the district.

It is also on records that some individuals in Bunu district then were contacted to be considered for appointment with the Speaker but most of the people contacted decline the offer based on party affiliation, what else do you want him to do. 

Rt. Hon. (Prince) Matthew Kolawole is a bonafide son of Bunu land as such no one can determine the number of time he visits or not and if we are to say the number of times, not even as Speaker, we have loss count of how many times he has had cause to visit Bunu either on personal, communal and attending functions geared towards the development of entire Bunland.

The Speaker recognized the laudable roles played by various stakeholders before, during and after the Elections, Bunu Development Association (BDA), Kabba Development Union (KDU) and other associations and groups too numerous to mention hence as a representative, he has been very careful in making sure he carry all of them along by reaching out to them, anytime they call.

However, since Rt. Hon. (Prince) Matthew Kolawole was elected in 2015, despite the early hitches in the State House of Assembly which run through for almost two years in office, his records has surpassed his predecessors’ in all ramifications.

First, he empowered 50 market women to the tune of #500, 000; 3 per ward across the fifteen wards that make up of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, plus additional 5, making 50 beneficiaries. He also provided 7 brand new boreholes in 7 wards, 3 in Bunu district, Odo – Ape, Aiyegunle – Igun in Okebukun ward, Olle –Okeofin ward, rehabilitated 1 borehole in Ofere - Bunu while he did same in 4 in Kabba district.

He facilitated 3 block of classrooms in Gori-Bunu and Gbeleko respectively, and presently rehabilitating over 15 boreholes in both Aiyetoro and Akutupa Kiri wards respectively.

On July 1st, 2017 over 300 beneficiaries across the fifteen wards benefited from the empowerment programme he held at the prestigious hall of the St Augustine College, Kabba where materials worth millions of naira were distributed to beneficiaries selected from each ward, Bunu district inclusive.

Early this month, over 120 widows were also reached out to with food stuff, clothing materials, other material and cash worth over 3 million were given to them, and they were also selected based on ward, Bunu district inclusive.

Aside the 2 market women who were also selected across the fifteen wards in the local government, these set of people got #300, 000 while other groups also got #500,000 and #250, 000 each, respectively, Bunu district also inclusive.

On youth development, the Speaker has sponsored Inter- Secondary School Quiz Competitions in Kabba/Bunu where all secondary schools in the constituency participated.

As he continues to reach out to  Kabba Students Union (KSU), so he is doing with Bunu Students Union (BSU) who were recently supported with #100, 000, aside other supports to the students union body.

Before the end of this year, the Speaker will also be sponsoring a football competition among the youths across the fifteen wards and 100 youths will also be selected from the 93 polling units in the local government area for skill acquisition training after which they will be given a starter pack that would enable them to start up in various skills they might have acquired.

These are aside financial assistance and support to groups, individual, churches, medical bills, scholarships, the list is endless.

Rt. Hon. (Prince) Matthew Kolawole is among the first representative of the Constituency in recent time to have adopted a consistent town hall briefing on yearly basis to brief his constituents on his activities in the House in the last one year; this year edition is coming later next month.

We would have loved the above name group redirect their efforts by coming forward with good suggestions and lofty ideas that would be geared towards the overall development of not only Bunu district, but the entire constituency, Okunland and the entire state.

We urge the group to be objective  and refrain from unwarranted attacks on their representative on social media rather they should cooperate and support the Speaker to focus on gemaine issues relating to the upliftment of the district, not necessarily embarking on campaigns of calumny.

We therefore want to assure Kabba/Bunu people, that the Speaker would continue to provide qualitative representation and leadership that will promote peace, unity and development of not only the constituency but the entire state.

Thank you.


*Femi Olugbemi*
Chief Press Secretary to the Honourable Speaker,
Kogi State House of Assembly

 

Flush out APC government in 2019 – Gbenga Daniel tells Kogi PDP

The National Chairmanship aspirant for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Otunba Gbenga Daniel has tasked members of the party to work hard and wrestle power from the All Progressive Congress (APC) and return back to Lugard House in 2019.

Otunba Daniel, a two term governor of Ogun State, made this call while speaking at the PDP State Secretariat in Lokoja on Wednesday during his campaign visit to Kogi State.

According to him, Kogi was a PDP state, stressing that, some manipulation happened during the last election in 2015 governorship election which gave APC the victory.

The former governor stated that Kogi used to be very peaceful, pointing that the story line has changed. “If it is not the senator beating the governor, the governor will be beating the senator.”

“This is very pathetic . The people of the state are tired of this arrangement. I therefore urge you to go and work hard to return to Lugard House”

On his mission to Kogi State, the National Chairmanship aspirant said that he has a vision to transform and revive the lost glory of the party.

“Power has finally returned to the people at the grassroots and things will start taking shape and we are determined to reposition the party at both national, state and local government levels.”

“What used to happen was that you work for the party, only to hear on radio and television that Mr A, B and C have been appointed by the President without making any input. Under my leadership, things will be done differently,” he added

Misgivings of black lion in Lugard House .

Report reaching THE LEAKAGES confirmed that two houses were burnt to ashes yesterday night in Kabawa, Lokoja town and many more would have been burnt if not for the timely intervention of the police.

According to Ogirima Nana, reason behind the attack was because six thugs out of the many hired thugs Yahaya bello ferried to Anambra for the just concluded election but could not make it back safe and one of the thug's dead body was also found dumped at Ganaja river.

As a result, the family members of the dead and the six missing thugs, suspecting foul-play decided to go to the homes of those who recruited their children as thugs to demand for them.

The argument that ensued between the two family members led to a scuffle and burning of houses and shops.
There is rumor going around that there will be reprisal attacks in the community and many families are leaving their homes to seek safety and refuge in far town.

Yahaya Bello’s underachievement gives me sleepless nights – Aide

Details from a raging controversy on social media have exposed the dissatisfaction of the chief press secretary of the governor of Kogi State, Petra Akinti Onyegbule. In the said conversation with a media consultant, Mike Ile, she was quoted as saying that the rating of the governor has nosedived incredibly.

According to an insider who pleaded anonymity, the Kogi CPS, Petra Akinti Onyegbule, contracted Mike Ile, to carry out some damage control for the state government sometime in June 2017.

“There is ample evidence that the CPS contracted Mike Ile to do some social media intervention to buoy the rating of the governor in the social media space given the bashing it has received in recent times owing to nonpayment of salaries and a host of other issues.”

From the communication exchanges between the CPS and Mike Ile seen by Vanguard, the Kogi CPS “admitted to having sleepless nights due to the below-par ratings her principal was receiving especially for his inability to pay civil servants for over fifteen months as well as the controversial double voters’ registration saga earlier this year.”

A source privy to the transaction between the Kogi CPS and Mike Ile stated that the CPS, Petra Akinti Onyebgule, in an attempt to save her job, called on the Abuja-based Social Media consultant to come up with a strategic action plan to launder the image of the Kogi government.

“While agreeing to take up the job, Mike Ile stated his hope that the governor would endeavor to do more to serve the needs of the state.” The CPS responded by admitting, “No need for pretense o.” She went on to admit that some aides in Governor Bello’s government needed to be fired.

“Somebody should take the fall, seriously. We will work on all of these strategies,” She was quoted to have said in the conversation. Consequently, the CPS invited Mike Ile to Lokoja, the capital of Kogi state for a meeting.

Mike Ile indicated that “he was introduced to Governor Yahaya Bello, chief of staff to the governor, the DG Media, Commissioner for Agriculture, as well as the head of the state’s new Bus transport service. All of them were intimated by the CPS as to the reason why he was invited.”

According to Mike Ile, “All hell broke loose when I commenced work and monies were seemingly not paid as agreed. The deal fell through. There were insinuations that the CPS had sat on the money.”

According to a close confidante of Mike Ile and the Kogi CPS, he stated that “both Mike and Petra have a history. In 2015, the duo worked on the campaign team of a gubernatorial candidate, and Petra was accused of financial infidelity.”

That history was laid bare in the leaked chats when Mike warned: “Let lightening not strike twice in one spot.”

Petra responded by saying, “You can’t keep rubbing the PAST in my face.” She went on to assure him, “You will get your money, I mean it.” To bolster her pledge, she sent him screenshots of her conversations with the Agric Commissioner over the matter.

It was also revealed that the CPS was in the habit of using companies of friends and associates to pitch for jobs in Kogi state. It was also shown that the CPS approached the Mike Ile on the 16th of June, 2017, asking to utilize his registered media firm to pitch for a business opportunity in Kogi State which she tagged NEWMAP.

After that, she was said to have stopped taking Mike’s calls. But fresh trouble arose when the CPS Petra lied to a policeman that there was never such a deal between her and Mike. The apparent lie angered the camp of Mike Ile, and it culminated in the leak of what seems to be proof of the agreement. Mike is said to be preparing to sue the CPS.

The source also said that this scandal further highlights the suspicious behaviour of public officials and politicians who make promises like during electoral campaigns, promises they have no intention of fulfilling. The source said “they have no respect for agreements, written or otherwise, and their loyalties even to their bosses, are always unclear when they have private discussions.”

“Across Nigeria, you get to hear the pains of young entrepreneurs who submit brilliant proposals to agencies only to have their ideas utilized without compensation or due credit. One of such instances was when the CPS went ahead to hold a media tour recommended by Mike without involving him.”

Another source close to Mike Ile said, “The Petra we all know can never use her monies to run any government. What did she use to hold the media tour? Was it sand? This gives the team of the governor a terrible image”.

He said “the CPS, Petra Akinti Onyegbule is no stranger to controversies. Recently, Petra also made the headlines when she accused one Omooba Ojora of defrauding her of nine hundred thousand naira. Caught in a web of lies and deceit, rather than apologize, the CPS took to social media to claim that she was only helping Mike. But evidence from the chats suggests otherwise.”

Meanwhile, when a call was put across to the CPS, she did not object to the claim but simply said she had nothing further to say about it.

According to her, “I have no further thing to say about this. I have put it behind me. Mike knows about it. Thank you.”

Source: Guardian 

Celebrating the life and time of my Dad-Late Elder Moses Olorunsuwa Aleyomi

Truly, it was  with a very and the most rude shock that the news came that you re gone Babami! I got confused momentarily, I was temporary insane, but strong hearted as usual. I moved straight to the mortuary where I got the ruddest shock! I was confronted with the sour reality that BABAMI is no more.  I saw my dad, I mean my loving and lovely father layed lifeless in the mogue. A sharp pain pierced my heart. I felt a vary deep and excruciating pain in my soul. I realised that Babami has departed! I realized that Babami has deserted me! I realised that Babami has left me painfully unannounced , I realised that  no one to caution me again, that that there is no one to call me on the first day of every month and wish me well, no one to pray each time i return from any trip. With this better reality, I broke down in bitter tears. I refused to be  consoled . I cried my self out! I felt empty! I felt lonely ! I felt life is being so cruel to me  to loose Babami at a time like this  when I most need his counsel, guildance and mostly his prayer.

After all the bitter heartedness, cry and uncontrolled emotion, I realised that rather than mourn Babami, celebrating his life and time would be a better option more so that there are too numerous reasons to celebrate him:

1. Babami died devoted christian: On his bed was his bible carefully placed beside the pillow (at the fore). This is indicative of a communion with God. Babami taught us( the children) the ways of the Lord. As he would attend morning devotion with all of us every morning. He made us realise that tighting is a commandment of God that must be obeyed. I have never seen him swear and he would never place curses on anyone.

2. He taught us hard work. I remember when he summoned me to the hut in his farm in 1989, he then counselled me that his observation of me had revealed to him that I wouldn't do well as a farmer as I do not possess the strength to make a good farmer. He went further to state that he would rather admonish me to face my books as that is where my success lies. I kept that advise and am happy he did. Babami would pay our school fees on the first day of resumption.

3.He taught us honesty: Babami called me into his room one day and got my right hand sliced with razor blade because I stole torch light bulb. He had gladly done so to my big bro and sis who did similar thing in the past. I stopped stealing because of that bad experience.

4. He taught us discipline and respect : No younger offspring of Babami would have the audacity to call his big  sis or bro by name without adding 'bro or antie'. You are sure to receive a dirty slap amidst other sundry punishments.

5. Babami taught us  to be loving, kind and kind hearted. He would always cook more than necessary in the farm just because he wanted to make provision for other people in the farm. He would bring the remaining yams home for other people especially children to enjoy.

6. Babami was a committed community development enthusiast: He would be mostly remembered for his unrivalled effort at mobilisation of people during the construction of  the community secondary school.

7. He did not die young After all. He is survived by wife, children, grand children and great grand children.

In all of these, I see a father who came and had done his bit and left. I see a man who rather than being mourned should   be celebrated  for a life well spent. I see a man who  made, nurtured and kept good name and legacies for his children.  I see a man who would forever be remembered for his role in community development and for his love for children and people around.

I promise to keep those promises I made to you. Rest on Babami!

Babami I celebrate you!!!

Anambra Decides: Kogi Chief of Staff Idle boast.

The Kogi State Chief of Staff, Mr. Edward Onoja has again boasted on social media that the just concluded Anambra Gubernatorial Election is a must win for the Party APC.

Unfortunately the election was overwhelmingly won by the incumbent Governor of the state under APGA platform despite the huge amount of Kogi taxpayers millions the Governor and Aides wasted on the election.

One now wonder how a Governor owing Kogi workers and pensioners over 18months salaries dictate for the people of Anambra who to vote.

Recalled that in a video being circulated on social media,  the same Chief of staff to the Governor was caught live on camera boasting that if God is God he will bring down Sen. Dino Melaye from the red chamber before the end of June but nothing of such happened till date as the state sponsored recall of the Senator from the red chamber hit brick wall.

See photo below

Kogi imprudently buys into competency test

By
Adekunle Ade Adeleye

AMAZED by the public support that welcomed Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s controversial competency test, Kogi State appears to think it would not be a bad idea to execute the same policy. In Kaduna State, public primary school teachers were recently made to write a test designed to test Primary Four pupils. A full two-thirds of the public school teachers, a little fewer than 22,000, were deemed to have scored less than 75 percent, the pass mark. Consequently, Kaduna State was reported to be preparing to sack the teachers if they do not resign as they have been asked to. A stalemate appears to be developing, with no teacher indicating any interest in disengaging from the public service, and the teachers’ union desperately up in arms against both the policy and the government.

A wise government would have waited to see how the educational conflict in Kaduna would be resolved before announcing its desire to ape the idea. But the Kogi Government is neither wise nor patient. Said the Kogi State governor’s director-general on media and publicity, Kingsley Fanwo: “The state government is already tinkering with the idea of testing the competency of public school teachers to ensure only capable hands are engaged to shape the future of our children…Those who scale the test will be exposed to the best training and given the best tools and incentives to make Kogi the number one educational destination in Nigeria.”

Nobody believes Kogi State. They have no reputation for honesty and integrity; and they are almost completely destitute of any knowledge of incentives or educational training and ambition. Such a state could not be relied upon to study other experiments with the depth required of a government, let alone draw the right lessons from them. A state owing its workers, in some instances, for over 20 months, and which had recently executed a dismal, complicated and unending staff verification exercise — as a matter of fact ‘exercises’ because it repeated the process about three times — cannot be trusted to do anything right. It has perfected the art of copying others; but it is never able to copy expertly, nor to modify as the situation and state peculiarities demand. Indeed, it is as well that Mr Fanwo spoke of tinkering with the idea rather than toying with it.

Kogi State is perversely ruled by a youthful bunch that knows nothing about public administration or common sense. Workers drop dead because of hunger caused essentially by non-payment of salaries. No significant developmental projects are ongoing anywhere, and parts of the state have been grossly and brutally neglected. By every sensible definition, Kogi is a failed state governed by a failed government imposed by a party that cares nothing about the quality of those it pushes forward to govern the states. In the case of Kogi, the governor, Yahaya Bello, was not even elected. He is the product of a brazen judicial sleight of hand masterminded by ‘offshore’ party leaders. Not satisfied with punishing the people and workers of the state, the state government now proposes to ‘tinker’ with an atrocious idea to further pile on the agony upon the hapless state.

It is important to imagine what would happen in Kogi State should Kaduna State make an unlikely volte face over the competency test, especially given the political repercussions of sacking that number of teachers, regardless of their gross incompetence. The Kogi governor, however, shows no consideration whatsoever for these ifs. In the opinion of Mr Fanwo, the governor will likely forge ahead in its determined but unrealistic quest for higher educational standard. It will not make sense, but the governor is a restless fellow with the instinct of a young lad. However, instead of approbation, the state is likely to be pilloried in terms that will be both mystifying and numbing.

Mr Bello will of course not get a second term no matter how hard and violently he intrigues for it. But in the interim, he will do as much damage as his vacuous mind can conceive, and inflict as much pain as his callous heart can imagine. Nigerian states do not rise against their incompetent governments. It will be the lot of Kogi to endure the terrible punishment Mr Bello and his youthful and irreverent gang can inflict on them, assured that salvation through the ballot box is around the corner, and the prospect of the brash governor ending in jail indisputable.

West Nigeria to Organize Regional Youth Summit

The Ministry of Regional Integration in Osun State will be hosting other youths from the western part of the country in a summit. 


The gospel at hand now is REGIONAL INTEGRATION- orientating, building bridges and upgrading cooperation through common institutions, culture, and economy across western Nigeria.

The Ministry of Regional Integration, the state of Osun under the control of Hon. Bola Ilori organizing a youth summit tagged “Regional Youth Summit 2017”. An inclusive gathering, that doesn’t revolve around political parties. You are welcome regardless of your political affiliations. The mission is to provide a sustainable platform for the youth to design the future of the region in line with the vision of DAWN {Development Agenda for Western Nigeria}…..

Kogi Governor Doles Out 2m Each To Political Groups In Anambra

Kogi Governor Doles Out 2m Each To Political Groups In Anambra.

Political groups and interest in today's governorship election in Anambra are having a rainy day ‎as kogi governor shared 2m to each not minding their size,recircling or otherwise

This had led the igbo political groups and supporters of APC in the state converged  nicknamed the Kogi  governor,'The World Bank of Nigeria'

Kogi governor is displaying this ostentatious life at the expense of non payment of civil servants salaries and pensioners along with ‎declaring many of them ghosts while others were tagged as parading fake credentials 

Yahaya Bello and his team relocated to Anambara last monday with billions of naira kogi funds to assist in imposing the unpopular APC candidate,Tony Nwoye at all means possible ‎similar to what he did in Ondo and Edo to pave way for his re-election in kogi

Since his inauguration,the governor had displayed myriads of anti people's policies‎ ranging from refusal to pay workers and pensioners under the premise of staff screening,hence inflicting poverty,hardship,penurious tendencies with sickness, high crime rate, suicidal beaviour prevalent in the state

Governor Bello has hide under party politics to attract sympathy ‎from the presidency and party machinery at the headquarters to perpetrate his inhuman and wicked programs on kogians with dearth of infrastructure and other social services 

Inspite of his display and distribution  of kogi commonwealth to Anambarians,‎reliably sources confirmed the people are bent on returning the current governor and preference for the other candidates of PDP and UPP and not APC that had messed up the economic,political and infrastructural development of the country

Kogi Governor Released N500m State funds for Anambra Election.

Kogi Government  Expend Chunk of State Funds  For Anambra Election

Billions of  naira ‎tax payers money was moved from the coffers of kogi government by the present leadership of Yahaya Bello in support of APC candidate in the forthcoming governorship  election in Anambara state

‎This was hinged on the large entourage and retinue of aides and thugs ferried to anambara at the expense of kogi people and civil servants whose salaries has not been paid in the last 22 months 

It was reliably gathered that monies meant for workers salaries agreed by the NLC and the state government to call of six weeks old strike payable this week ‎before the suspension of the strike by state workers was not honoured,but in his usual character,few ones were paid to enable them feed the media with outrageous figures

As at press time,the hardship inflicted on kogians over inability to access their monthly salaries and refusal of government to honour it's obligations had taking another critical dimension as some political appointees of the government also grumble in silence over their  plight and kogians

It was reliably gathered that governor Bello mopped up all available funds in the state coffers to mobilise thugs and logistics similar to his action in Edo and Ondo envisaging the extension of same gesture to the unpopular government in his reelection bid in 2019

Kogi governor promised the cash strapped APC national sectariat ‎of adequate arrangement for logistic,unforeseen circumstances  and other contingencies to ensure the candidate of the party is imposed on anambariaans inspite of glaring rejection by the people of the state

The governor who secured truce on his knees from the state labour last ‎week complaining of paucity of funds,suddenly turned to one of the major sponsors of Anambra election with backlog of unpaid salaries  while displaying father Christmas like conduct on his way by making a stoppage at various point to dole out cash to elderly people in kogi east at the expense of their working/starved children

This week gone by,over 90 percent of the state workers have not received their entitlements In the last 22 months while some insignificant percentage is yet to be paid since July as against his promise to pay one month across board

With the year fast running out‎,only providence will predict a well spent yuletide away from the bleak situation been witnessed by the workers and pensioners in kogi in the last 23 months due to inconsistencies of government policies and programs.

Kogi Speaker Bags Award of Outstanding Good Leadership

Kogi Speaker, Rt.Hon M.O Kolawole has been conferred with the  award of Outstanding Good Leadership by National Association of Kogi State Students, Ekiti State University Chapter.

The conferment took place at the House of Assembly Complex during a brief ceremony attended by the staff of the Assembly  and students.

The President of the students body Comrade Suleiman Ibrahim Temitope stated that the selection of the Speaker for the award was due to his track records of outstanding leadership qualities both in private sector and as a public figure. He went further to state that the the Speaker deserves to be  so honoured as he has shown that 'excellence is an art'  noting that as a way of encouraging the upcoming youth that there is huge gain in being thorough and outstanding. He concluded by declaring the  Speaker a beacon of hope for the youth.  He however admonished everyone to strife hard to lead a life of good legacy as everything anyone does goes into records.

The obviously elated Speaker thanked NAKOSS for considering him fit for the award. He noted that  he was simply being himself without ever thinking that his act will be noticed and rewarded in due course. He thanked the students for coming all the way from Ado-Ekiti to honour him.

The Speaker admonished the students to remain focused and dedicated to their studies saying they must allow the school to pass through them.

Prince Kolawole enjoined them to  shune all social vices urging them to always be  good ambassadors of their families, Kogi State and Nigeria.

In a related development, students of Federal Government Girls College Kabbs paid an interactive visit to the Speaker.

The students who had earlier observered the plenary session of the House took turn to ask questions from the Speaker on the workings of government activities  and the relationship that exists between the various arms of government.

*Olorunsuwa Elijah Ola*
S.A. Media to the Speaker.

KSU to conduct make up test as sacked lecturers held on to students result.

Reports emanating from Kogi State University  indicates that students of the institution from different levels (200L, 300L, 400L, ex 400L) have been directed to return to the school within the first week of December to rewrite examinations already written as far back as January 2017.

According to the affected students, the school hinged its decision on the non-submission of their results by the disengaged staff of the institution.
The disengaged staff apparently held onto the results as a bargaining chip.

The management of the school had earlier sacked over 170 of the lecturers for taking sides with ASUU and failing to call off the strike embarked upon in early February.
Miffed at their action, the Governor of the State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, directed the management of the institution to sack all lecturers who failed to resume.

This disengagement of the erring staff has created no small stir in the school. The school has barely been able to carry on with academic activities.

Some of the faculties affected by this present directive include Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Education.

John amodu lamented the insensitivity of the school management. According to him, "how am I supposed to leave my present job and return back to school to rewrite courses I wrote as far back as January?"
Lancelot Okolo blamed the school for failing to get its act right.

AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUHARI: PUTTING THE RIGHT PEG IN THE RIGHT HOLE

Your Excellency,

We are humbly honored to take this opportunity to communicate with you via an online Open Letter, Mr. President, we would have used a conventional way to reach you but the system does not permit us to do so.

To start with, with all forms of Thanksgiving, we appreciate God for bringing you to govern this country at the very much time we needed change and a reformer like you. More also we have to thank you for your personal will to fight corruption even though the system' might be working against you. Thank you for following your conscience to fight corruption, indeed this country will not forget you as your name is in the annals of this country.

Mr. President Sir, we don't want to delay you from your busy schedule so let's just derive our point’s home.

Mr. President Sir, following your styles of leadership which is Chiefly defined by your love , passion and feeling for this Nation, we the Concerned Constituency Citizen’s wants to bring to your notice our pains and feelings as the father of the our dear country Nigeria.

Sir, with all forms of bitterness we wish to notify you of the inimical styles of leadership of the National Inland Waterway Authority (NIWA)

The National Inland Waterway Authority (NIWA) of the federal ministry of transport was formed from the former inland Waterway Department in the year 1997 by an act of the National Assembly, CAP 47, LFN 2004 with the primary responsibility to improve and develop Nigeria Inland Waterways for navigation with the headquarters situated at Lokoja, Kogi State in the North Central Geographical Zone of the country, considering the Large Natural endowment of the state which suits the perfect requirement of such agency.

Mr. President Sir, However despite the fact that the headquarter is in the North Central, Kogi State to be precise, we are bitter to state it that no Kogi state indigene have been privileged to direct the Agency either in acting or substantive capacity which has been a source of displeasure to us.

Let us go down memory lane , the first NIWA MD was Engr. R.D.Abubabakar (Bauchi State), followed by Engr L. K. Ogboye (Lagos State) in acting capacity for three months, the next MD was Engr Zubairu Yakubu (Bauchi State) then later had Mrs C. F, O Ezenwa (South East) also acting capacity , followed by Arch. Ahmed Yar’adua (Katsina State), Hajia Inna Ciroma (Borno State), Bar.Danladi Ibrahim from the Authority also in acting capacity (Borno State) and Boss Mustapha (Adamawa State). 

We equally know that NIWA is a Federal Agency not Kogi West, Kogi State or North Central agency, but we can see the past MD were from North East and North West and those two that came from South were in acting capacity.

Sir, our major argument is that, yes it is true that we are all Nigerians irrespective of where we come from, but is the leadership of the country saying North Central, Kogi State , Kogi West and within NIWA are not endowed with energetic personality, human resources or qualified professionals to steer the ship of the agency instead of lifting people from outside NIWA to become their MD. Less we forget that Kogi State also voted the government in power in 2015.

Mr. President, here comes the entreaties of the Concerned Constituency Citizens of North Central geographical zone, having believe so much in your styles of leadership and governance which is butter by your favourite quotes "I Belong to everybody and belong to Nobody" We are appealing to you that following your recent applaudable appointment / Promotion of Boss Gida Mustapha as the Secretary of the Government of the Federation and the urgent need to find a replacement for him as the Managing Director of NIWA , A Kogi man should be considered to replace him, most preferable someone from Kogi West Senatorial District (Since a man from Kogi Central became Ajaokuta Steel Company Sole Administrator , we are also appealing for Kogi West to become the next NIWA Managing Director )

Lastly, Sir, been Concerned Constituency citizens who wants the best from the country, we are also appealing to you to bring someone with vast knowledge of the agency and requisite experience from this senatorial district inother to have anoutstanding NIWA, as we cannot afford to exchange credibility and meritocracy for selfishness, Plutocracy and Nepotism.

Once again, Mr President kindly help us to develop as nation by putting the round peg in the right hole.

We hope to come back later with an appreciation letter

Thank you

God bless You

God bless Nigeria

Comr Ekundayo Abayomi Segun,

National President,

Concerned Constituency Citizen’s.

100 days of credible leadership at the Kogi State House of Assembly

Today makes it exactly 100 days Rt. Hon. (Prince) Matthew Kolawole, member representing Kabba/Bunu State Constituency was overwhelmingly elected by his Honourable colleagues to take charge at the Kogi State House of Assembly as the 12th Speaker following the voluntary resignation of the immediate past Speaker, Rt. Hon. Umar Imam Ahmed, member representing Lokoja I State Constituency on the 2nd August, 2017.
His emergence was greeted with so much encomiums and joy from his constituents being their first representative to become the Speaker of the House since the creation of Kogi State and return of the country from military rule to democratically elected government.
This was shown by the number of courtesy calls by different communities, individuals and groups that paid solidarity visits to the Assembly complex to identify with and congratulate him on his emergence, balancing the political equation under the GYB administration.
Though young Kolawole was not born with golden spoon but determined to make it in life, despite the circumstance surrounding his upbringing he remained focused to achieve success in life.
Moved with the compassion of service to the people and humanity, Kolawole having achieved outstanding successes in his private ventures over the years, and considering the huge resources being committed to the welfare and well-being of the people around him, he decided to via for a political position in order to use government machineries to further develop the community, people around him and humanity.
He first contested to represent Kabba/Bunu State Constituency at the Kogi State House of Assembly in 2007 but was asked to step down for another candidate which he gladly did without any regret. A candidate and party he supported with all he has and to God be the glory, the candidate then emerged victorious at the poll then.
However, as fate will have it, in 2015 he was elected as the Honourable Member representing Kabba/Bunu State Constituency and became the Majority Leader of the house despite being a first termer and the first Member from the constituency to occupy the position.
It is also worthy to note that he became the Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly on 3rd of August, 2017.
However, ever since he assumed duty as the Speaker of the August Assembly, the current leadership under his watch has been able to distinguish itself by creating an atmosphere that has stabilized the House for smooth running of the Legislative arm of Government in Kogi State.
Secondly, his leadership has also shown capacity to improve the working relationship with the Executive arm of government, hence creating an avenue for synergy that has paid off.
Thirdly, enhancing the welfare of the Honourable members and that of the Staffers of the Kogi State House of Assembly is another cardinal area that has helped the administration to move without any hitches.
The past 100 days have not been without challenges and responsibilities, yet the success recorded so far is unprecedented.
The Hallowed Chamber of Kogi State has witnessed great achievements and improvements under his leadership; starting from Legislative duties, Welfare of members and staffs of the Assembly and more importantly, the positive impact of the Assembly on the masses in the state during this short and eventful period.
All these achievements could not have been possible without the passionate service rendered by respective members via their robust contributions to bills and motions on the floor of the House and implementation of various projects across their Constituencies which has impacted positively on the generality of Kogites.
The Speaker being a committed Christian has consistently call for prayers for the current leadership in country under President Muhammadu Buhari and Kogi State under the leadership of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, because he recognises the fact that it is only God that can give the needed wisdom, knowledge and understanding to manage people of diverse opinions.
Amiable and pragmatic Rt. Hon. (Prince) Matthew Kolawole has been able to show capacity, carriage and courage by providing qualitative leadership in conjunction with his colleagues at the assembly, no wonder despite the huge crisis that engulfed the house at the early stage of this administration, he still maintained the position of the Majority Leader before fate beckon on him and he was elected the 12th Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly.
As the primary functions of a Legislature is to make laws for the good governance of any given state, it is therefore on record that the Kogi State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. (Prince) Matthew Kolawole has been able to move a number of life changing bills and motions, improved on oversight functions, and execute massive constituencies projects.
The workaholic Kabba born Speaker has shown tenacity and courage, no wonder the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region appointed him as one of its Executive Committee Members to represent the North Central of Nigeria,, shortly after he returned from the 72nd General Assembly of the United Nations held in New York, United States of America, where he contributed meaningfully as a member of Kogi State and Nigeria delegation to the Assembly.
As part of the determination and commitment of the 6th Assembly under his watch, the house has been able to collaborate with the executive arm in creating the enabling environment to promote development in the area of wealth creation through concerted efforts of the current administration in the area of Agriculture, Education, health etc the Omi Rice mill.
Some of the motions and bills passed within this period are:
Motion Appealing to Kogi State Government to rehabilitate Community Secondary School Gegu-Beki and change its nomenclature to ‘Government Secondary School Gegu-Beki’. - Hon. Zakari Osewu Mohammed- Kogi/KK Constituency
Motion calling on the Kogi State Government to address the inadequate academic Staff in Kogi State College of Education (Technical), Kabba - Hon. Victor Adewale Omofaiye, Ijumu Constituency  and Rt. Hon. (Prince) Matthew Kolawole, Kabba/Bunu Constituency
Motion calling on Kogi State Government for the Provision of Modern Abattoir in Lokoja Township and the 21 Local Governments in their Headquarters Respectively. -Hon. Musa Jimoh Omiata, Yagba East Constituency
A Bill for a Law to make Supplementary Provisions for the Revenue of Expenditure of Kogi State Government for the Year Ending Thirty-First December, two thousand and seventeen.
Bill for the Law to make provisions for a contributory Pension Scheme for employers in the Public Service of Kogi State and for matters connected therewith.
A Bill for a Law to Amend the Law Establishing Local Government Service Commission, Kogi State and for other matters connected therewith. Sponsor :- Hon. (Elder) Pedro A.S Obaro, Mopamuro Constituency
A Bill for a Law to Establish Kogi State Education Endowment fund and the Board of Trustees vested with the responsibility of managing the fund and other connected purposes 2017. Sponsor:- Hon. (Elder) Pedro A.S Obaro, Mopamuro Constituency
A Bill for a Law to proscribe malpractices in Educational Institutions of Kogi State and other matters connected therewith 2017, Sponsor -Hon. (Elder) Pedro A.S Obaro, Mopamuro Constituency           
Motion calling on the State Government to construct Anyigba Township Roads and Drainages to checkmate further ecological disaster in the Community. Rt. Hon. Hassan Abdullahi, Dekina/Okura Constituency
Motion calling on the State Government to rehabilitate the dilapidated structures and equip the Laboratory of Ankpa Community Secondary School, Ankpa in Ankpa Local Government Area - Hon. Ahmed Mohammed, Ankpa l Constituency
Motion appealing to the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari to establish Federal Secretariat Complex in Kogi State - Hon. Aliyu Akuh, Omala Constituency
A Bill for a Law to Establish Kogi State Youth Development, Enlightenment and Orientation Agency and other matters connected therewith, 2017   - First Reading, Sponsor: - Hon. (Elder) Pedro A. S Obaro,  Mopamuro Constituency
Motion calling on the State Ministry of Environment to strengthen its Sanitary Inspection in the State in order to deliver effectively in its health obligations- Hon. Hassan Abdullahi, Dekina/Okura Constituency
A Bill for a Law to provide for the Establishment of Kogi State Health Trust Fund and Other Matters connected therewith, 2017 -Sponsor - Hon (Dr) Friday Adoyi Alih, Ofu Constituency
A Bill for a Law to Repeal and Re-enact A Law to provide for the Establishment, Functions and Power of the Kogi State Sanitation and Waste Management Board and other matters connected therewith - First reading
A Bill for a Law to provide for Environmental Health and other matters connected therewith -First reading       
Motion calling on the Kogi State Government to organize an Economic Summit with a view to transform the State economically and make it less Dependent on Monthly Allocations from the Federal Government – Hon. (Barr.) Oluwatoyin Lawal, Yagba West Constituency.
These are few of the tremendous activities achieved by the 6th Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. (Prince) M.O. Kolawole.
Going forward, the State should expect more passage of bills that will promote good governances and positively impact on the life of the people of Kogi State.

Femi Olugbemi
Chief Press Secretary to the
Rt Honourable Speaker,
Kogi State House of Assembly

PDP Convention: Kola has the qualities for NPS says Jerry Gana

Former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, at the weekend, assured that the forthcoming Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convention will not be about “allocation of offices.”

“This is not the time for allocation of offices in PDP. The party needs the best capable hands to occupy the various offices zoned to us. Kola is one of the best hands we have around,” Gana said while addressing a group of young professionals who were in his residence to seek support for Kola Ologbondiyan in the race for the PDP’s national publicity secretary.

According to him, “I have been a Minister of Information in the past. I know how difficult it is to navigate the terrain of Nigerian media. Kola had been a Special Adviser to our President of the Senate for eight years and did it well.

“I have taken serious note of your letter of intention and you are coming from people that I respect tremendously. This is not the time to go into details. Let me just say that I will do my best.

"I will see the right people in the right places and I pray that God will guide us,” he further said.

Earlier, Ologbondiyan had told Prof Gana of his intention to contest the position of national publicity secretary assuring the party leader of his  plans for the party which he said includes re-inventing the narratives of the party to address the hearts and minds of Nigerians as well as rebranding and repositioning the party to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

Let us PLAN and ACT together- Abayomi Bello

“Our parents deserve our honor and respect for giving us life itself” - Ezra Taft Benson

“The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of the strength within you” - Max Lerner

These quotes above best describes my sentiments throughout my formative years. Today, I remain grateful to God, to my Parents and to the people I have had one interaction or the other with in this interesting journey of life.

I am IBIYEMI ABAYOMI BELLO, born to a modest family and grounded in the basic principles of God. I am an indigene of Kabba from the KATU (Agba Ówè) royal house, Kogi State and had my education both in Nigeria and the United Kingdom with a first degree in Political Science and a masters in Human Resource Management, as well as a professional certification in Project Management (PRINCE 2).

It is these qualifications I have brought to bear on a business I founded some years back that has now turned to a group with five (5) companies. I remain grateful for the successes we have been able to achieve in these years.

Over the years, I have observed, in silence, the politics of Kogi state and have come to the conclusion that of all the problems beleaguering our people, GENUINE and HONEST LEADERSHIP tops the list. Simply put, we have trusted but, THEY HAVE LET US DOWN. My personal experiences have led me to conclude that much more can be done by each and every young person out there. So, I am of the opinion that we cannot continue in the same ways and expect a different result. THE YOUTHS MUST STAND AND TAKE THEIR OWN DESTINY.

A self-motivated and ambitious professional, with a unique combination of skills and capabilities acquired during a diverse and rewarding career both in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. I Possess an outstanding interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to develop positive relationships with all levels of people. I thrive on new challenges with a thirst for learning, and ever ready to develop new skills and expertise.

I am a Christian and married to the ever loving and supportive Anuoluwapo and we are blessed with two wonderful children, a girl and a boy. I enjoy traveling, man-watching, reading, and a healthy debate that leads to something productive. I also love soccer and watching movies.

It's all part of the bigger picture, to PLAN and ACT...

ABAYOMI BELLO
Senatorial Aspirant
People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
#Not2Young2Run...
#KogiWest2019.

How Yahaya Bello stole our common patrimony-Senator Dino Melaye

By section 24 of the constitution  of the federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), it is the duty of every Nigerian to make positive  and useful contributions  to the advancement,  progress and well-being of the community  where he resides.
The anti-corruption campaigns of the present administration will be strengthened when we become  more interested in budget monitoring.
The governor Yahaya Bello led administration has not been fair to the good people of Kogi State simply because we have neglected our responsibility  of monitoring the budgetary allocation and provisions of the government.
From this pull-out from the 2017 budget of Kogi State,  it is clear that Yahaya Bello has raped kogites of our common patrimony.

Government House Budget 2017
22020104 - International Travel and Transport – others-(600,000,000)
22020110
- Travelling Allowances (70,000,000),

22020112 - Expenses incidental to governor’s tour  (700,000,000).

The above is an evidence of duplication.

22020402 - Maintenance of office furniture and fittings,  (60,000,000),

22020403 - Maintenance of office building/ residential qtrs. (200,000,000),

22020439 - Up-keep of government house, (150,000,000),

22020502 - International training (100,000,000),

22020601- Security services (100,000,000),
22020604- Security votes (including operations) (8,000,000,000),

22020605 - Cleaning and fumigation services (100,000,000),

22020669 - Expenses incidental to her Excellency’s tour (340,000,000), this is an office not known to law. We will meet in Court on this.

22020679 - Office and general expenses (600,000,000),

2202775 -   Special security expenses (230,000,000),

22021001 -  Refreshment, meals and hospitality (400,000,000),

22021004 -  Medical expenses/refund (local) (50,000,000),

22021077 - Overseas treatment (50,000,000),

220221103 - New direction activities expenses (126,000,000),

22021104 -  Office of dg research and speech writing (100,000,000),

22021201 -  Special adviser’s office expenses (imprest) (100,000,000), 

For the following projects kogites we all should check if Any of these projects are ongoing as stipulated in the 2017 budget of Kogi State.

0006000001 (0112) -Construction of mini town hall in lokoja including installation of communication gadgets (1,500,000,000),

0013000003(0201) Government house mini works (direct labour (250,000,000),

0001000004(0101) Rehabilitation/equipping of central mechanic workshop in lokoja (50,000,000),

0017000001(0147) Ongoing reconstruction of kabba township road phase1(300,000,000),

0017000001(0175) Rehabilitation of koton karfe township road ll (4.46km) (100,000,000),

0017000001(0176) Asphalt overlay of iyamoye-jege-ijowa road to isanlu (71km) (1,000,000,000),

0017000001(0190) Fly-over bridge at ganaja junction, lokoja (0), this was not given any budgetary provision.

0017000001(0199) Construction of ekinrin ade/ohun/ife-olukotun road/ekinrin-ade township road (500,000,000),

Renovation of government lodges across the state (700,000,000).

This pull-out is mainly as it affect Kogi West senatorial district and our people should begin to check if any of the above listed project have been executed or ongoing in the district, yet there was budgetary provision and the 2017 budget have just two months to expire.
We must rescue Kogi State from this Dictator who publicly admitted in a program transmitted by AIT yesterday that he is a dictator. We all put together are bigger than Yahaya Bello and his directionless Govt. if I die I die. We must recover our state from thieves and economic termites. No amount of blackmail,lies,intimidation and harassment will detract my attention from championing responsible and fiscal discipline. Pay our workers NOW!!!!!!We shall overcome.

Kogi mother of Triplets gets N706,000 cash donation from KPC.

The Kogi People's Club(KPC) has donated cash to Mrs. Soje,  a mother of triplet and wife of late Mr. Edward Soje  who committed suicide days after his wife delivered triplet in Abuja. 

A cash of N706,000 was donated by members of the club when the club paid the mother of the triplet a visit. 

Speaking on behalf of the Club,  Mr. Abdulrahim Yusuf said this is our own way of showing that we stand by you in this very moment of grief, and we hope that God Almighty will help take care of your triplet, Kogi People's Club stand for Kogi People and in the nearest future, the club will rally round to still be of help to the family. 

The spokesman said the death of Mr. Soje is a pathetic one and that on behalf of all the members of KPC, we stand by you and family. 

In response to the kind gesture, Mrs. Soje thanked the club for the visit and the donation, she prayed that God Almighty will continue to have mercy on the club and that members of the club will never know sorrow.

The club met only two babies,  the third baby is still under medical care in the hospital. 

Mr. Edward Soje, a director in the state is being owed over 15months by the state government. Many believe Mr. Soje committed suicide due to financial constraint occasioned by the non-payment of his salaries.

Kogi Speaker rolled out over N5million Empowerment program.

Kogi State Speaker Hon. Prince Kolawole Mathew has  promised more empowerment programs for his constituents, as he rolled out over N5million Empowerment program.

The Honourable Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly and Member representing Kabba-Bunu State Constituency, Rt. Hon. (Prince) Matthew Kolawole has promised to initiate more empowerment programs for his constituents.

He disclosed this at his Widows and Market Women Empowerment Program held at the prestigious Hall of St. Augustine's College, Kabba on Friday, 3rd November 2017 where over 100 widows were given different food stuffs and cash worth over 3million naira, aside the five hundred thousand naira (N500,000) he gave to the Kabba Market Women Association to support their cooperative thrift scheme.

The Speaker also gave two hundred and fifty thousand naira (N250,000) each to two other women groups while 30 people, two each from the fifteen wards of the Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area also got ten thousand naira (N10,000) each amounting to three hundred thousand naira only (N300,000).

While appreciating the people for their consistent support before, during and after the election in 2015, he promised to step up efforts at bringing more dividends of democracy to the people in the days ahead.

According to him, he appreciates God and the people especially the traditional rulers who went all out to ensure his victory at the poll, noting that he received the favour of God even as a first timer to become the Majority Leader of the House before fate beckoned on him and he was elected the 12th Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly on the 3rd August, 2017.

He said the program is part of his campaign promises to represent the entire people of the constituency and also implement projects and programmes geared towards improving the living standard of the people, noting that such empowerment programs would be a regular feature of his tenure.

He said as part of his promises to empower the people, 45 people have been selected, 3 each from the fifteen wards across the local government area and 12 other people for another category to benefit from Rt. Hon. (Prince) Matthew Kolawole Empowerment Scheme, this set of people will be receiving monthly salary.

Rt. Hon. Kolawole said the gesture is geared towards alleviating the suffering of the people, stressing that he would continue to do more to enhance the lives of the people.

He said his annual town hall meeting will be coming up in December to brief the constituents of his activities at the assembly in the last twelve months, promising to update the people as events unfold.

He urged the people of the constituency to continue to cooperate and support the New Direction administration led by Alhaji Yahaya Bello in order to fast track the overall development of the State.

The Speaker appealed to the people to show more understanding with the current administration by praying for the leadership as ordained by God to always pray for our leaders.

Also speaking at the event, the coordinator of the program and Wife of the Honourable Speaker, Mrs Zainab Kolawole expressed her appreciation to the people for their support urging them to continue to have faith in the Speaker’s ability to deliver.

She commended the Speaker for supporting her to embark on such a life changing programme and pledged to continue to reach out to the vulnerables like the less privileged and widows.

While commending the Speaker for the kind gesture, the President-General of Kabba Development Union (KDU) who doubled as the Chairman of the occasion, Engr. Emmanuel Ajibero said that the Speaker has really shown his worth in representing the constituency well.

He said Rt. Hon. Matthew Kolawole has written his name on the sand of time by setting new benchmarks for whoever will occupy the position after him, urging other representatives to emulate him.

Engr. Ajibero urged the Speaker to continue embarking on more life touching programmes that will enhance the living standard of the people as he equally appealed to the people to continue to support him and the current administration led by Governor Yahaya Bello.

The Royal Fathers present led by the Acting Chairman, Okun Area Traditional Council, and the Olubunu of Bunu land, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adebayo Joseph Ikusemoro eulogized the Speaker for his act of compassion on the widows and other women groups.

They commended him for all he has been doing to move the constituency forward.