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.