Kogi government overhauls revenue system, to begin TSA.

With recommendations for adoption of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the establishment of a legally sound and operationally efficient post-autonomy process for the Board of Internal Revenue (BIR), Kogi State is set to rejig its revenue system.

The move, which is part of efforts to fight corruption and wastes in public finance management, has already received commendations from the state government as the Adhoc Committee on Fiscal Responsibility submitted its report.

In recent times, the need to engage professional accountants and financial experts in charting a sustainable path in states’ revenue drive, management and plugging of loopholes against corruption has been canvassed at various levels.

A nine-member committee, led by a professor of Public Sector Accounting at Kogi State University, Steven Ocheni, while delivering the report to the state governor, said the members had painstakingly sourced and collated vital information, which led to the various recommendations in the report.
Other members of the Committee are Asiwaju Idris Ashiru, Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development; Oloruntoba Kehinde, Commissioner for Budget and Planning; Momoh Jibrin , State Accountant-General; and Okala Yakubu, State Auditor-General.

The committee still included Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, Auditor-General for Local Government; Alhaji Bako Mohammed, Ag. Permanent Secretary (Administration), Secretary to the State Government’s Office; Mallam Sairu Mohammed, Ag. Permanent Secretary (Establishment), Office of the Head of Service; and Alhaji Yakubu Oseni, Chairman, Kogi State Board of Internal Revenue.

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, while receiving the report, said it was meant to reposition the state’s fiscal policies, enthrone transparency and fight corruption, as the terms of reference include the establishment of a legally sound and operationally efficient TSA; efficient Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS); and autonomous revenue board.

He assured that the sound operational guidelines for prudent management of the state’s revenue and financial discipline with a view to total elimination of wastages, drastic reduction in outgoings and rapid increase in revenue generation during this administration and beyond would be implemented.

Already, the committee has recommended for adoption the approach and methodology of Lagos State Pension Commission.To arrive at this, Ocheni said that the committee constituted three sub-committees, which had interactions with the representatives of Kogi State Pension office, representatives of Pension Commission and Pension Fund Administrators.

Again, it engaged the Organised Labour Union and other stakeholders in a Town-Hall meeting to interact on the implementation of the scheme.

“We recommend Kogi State Pensions Commission for both the state and Local government pensioners, adopting the administrative set up of the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) for convenience and cost effectiveness,” he said.

He however, said the success of the scheme requires a huge investment in ICT to enable state and Local government pensioners’ records to be fully automated and a database maintained for constant update.

Corroborating the need for investment in technology to achieve success in the new drive, the Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Mrs. Ayoade Arike, noted that the implementation of TSA would be be a major issue as it is about online communication.

“I noticed that the internet level in Kogi State is not superb. We need a strong internet facility to aid the TSA,’’ she said.

The committee suggested an execution of an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) from the state to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation for deduction of pension contributions at source.

“Technocrats experienced in pension and financial matters be appointed to man the State Pension Commission. The state government should establish a Pension Transition Agency to service the Old Pension Liabilities with a reasonable monthly allocation to be determined by the Actuary, sufficient enough to defray the outstanding pension liabilities in five years,’’ he said.

As part of the repositioning, there is need for a new bill for a legal backing for the autonomy of the Board of Internal Revenue Service to be passed by Kogi State House of Assembly.

For effective performance, the state Internal Revenue Service is to have five Directorates, each headed by an Executive Director, who is a professional tax practitioner and member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) experienced in taxation and management.

The Directorates are: Tax Operations; Compliance; Enforcement; Corporate Services; and Secretary to the Internal Revenue Service.While it also recommended the immediate adoption and implementation of the TSA and the contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) for Kogi State Public Service, there was a pre-qualification of banks, with eight eligible to be used for the policy.

The banks are Access Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Ecobank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Skye Plc, and United Bank for Africa. By the report, the would now establish a Project Team/Secretariat to be headed by the State Accountant-General, made up of Director Treasury, Director Budget, Staff from Main Accounts in the State Auditor-General’s Office, Inspectorate Unit, Board of Internal Revenue, Director, State Auditor-General’s Office, and the Bursar, Kogi State University representing tertiary institutions.

“The team has a primary responsibility for the coordination of all pre-implementation, implementation and post-implementation programmes required for the successful take-off of the State Government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA) scheme.

“The committee recommends that after the first three months of operations, a policy of No-Pin, No-Pay should be applied to ensure all and sundry comply for the success of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS),’’ he said.

Upon implementation of the report, the retirement benefits of certain category of public office holders may be treated in line with the statutory requirements of such benefit schemes, like the Governors and other State Political Office Holders.

Addressing the governor, the Don said the state’s “New Direction Agenda,” which emphasises public accountability, transparency and financial discipline in treasury management, is an affirmation of the administration’s determination to reposition the State Civil Service.

“It is therefore, our belief, that these recommendations, if implemented by your administration, will launch the state on the path aimed at bringing to the door steps the long expected dividends of democratic governance,’’ he said.

Responding, the state Governor, said he was proud of the performance of committee, as well as the work done by the members.“We set up the Adhoc Committee on Fiscal Responsibility to advise us on ways to manage our scarce resources- prioritise and put to use judiciously,” he said.

He pointed out that his administration is much in a hurry to get the committees working because time was against the government, assuring that he was not just setting up the committees, but has the political will to implement to the letter the recommendation of those committees.

“We set up a committee to look into the state’s bloated workforce and uncovered that over N1.3 billion was being paid monthly to ghost workers. We are already implementing certain recommendations that were adhoc in nature.

“We want to stop the menace of armed robbery and kidnapping in the state. We reduced the level of insecurity in the state from what we met it to half. Before this committee comes up with its report, we had implemented 50 per cent of the report,’’ the governor said.

Assuring that the recommendations of a sound committee like this would not be swept under the carpet, he warned that no corrupt official would be harboured and those who want to manipulate the system of TSA and test our might, will face law.

Bello lampoons doctors, nurses over inhuman treatment of patients

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state has expressed displeasure over the attitude of doctors and nurses towards the treatment of patients in public hospitals in the state, saying they are inhuman in their conduct.

He said: “If you see the way some patients are treated by nurses and doctor, it is inhuman, to the extent that the sickness of the patients often times degenerate”.

He said that with such attitude, there could not be service delivery and actualisation of the change desired by the people.

The governor said he had been “having headache and sleepless nights over this and the behaviour of many other institutions in the state including the police, civil service and the judiciary”.

Change, according to him, was not a one-man business, he said and called for more commitment and support for the “Change Begins With Me” campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He lamented that more lip service was paid to the campaign, stressing that for the country to achieve the desired change all and sundry must deliberately and consciously work towards it.

“We all have been shouting the change slogan, but I am disappointed because the change is not yet with us. Whether you are a doctor, policeman, civil servant, politician or a judge, the change is about everyone”.

“The day the police and the judiciary will uphold the law, is the day things will change for the better. We must move away from the way we have been doing businesses; we must pity those that don’t have and those who cannot help themselves. Everyone has a role to play”, he said.

He emphasised the need for Nigerians to shun corruption and be dedicated in the discharge of duties with strict adherence to the ethics of our professions and callings.

He said: “Everyone has a role to play from the governor to the last political appointee, we must move away from the old ways, we must care and pity those who cannot help themselves. We must care for the less-privileged. We must also desist from employing family members who do nothing at the expense of the state.“

Breaking: Bello Wins As The Supreme Court Upholds Election

The Supreme Court on Tuesday affirmed the election of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.

The court in a unanimous judgement dismissed the appeal filed by Hon. James Faleke, the deputy to Late Abubakar Audu, candidate of the APC aand Captain Idris Wada of the PGP.

The court said it will give reasons for its judgement on September 30, 2016

The election petition tribunal of the state and the court of appeal dismissed their petitions against the governor for lacking in merit.

The apex court is expected to hear the appeal today and determine it one way or the other.

The Court of Appeal in dismissed the appeal filed by Faleke, who and Captain Wada’against Yahaya Bello’s election by four-to-one split decision.

The All Progressives Congress substituted Bello as its governorship candidate and retained Faleke as its deputy governorship candidate after Audu died at the conclusion of the first round of the election held on November 21.

#KogiAt25: Celebrating Kogi’s Silver Jubilee, Silver Lining And Silver Bullet.

BEING TEXT OF A SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR YAHAYA BELLO OF KOGI STATE ON 27TH AUGUST, 2016 IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CREATION OF KOGI STATE

Happy Silver Jubilee, Kogi State!

Almighty God Alone deserves all the Praise today. Without the help of God, we will not be marking this day. For keeping our Nation Nigeria and for keeping our State Kogi, I thank God with all my strength and from the bottom of my heart.

I felicitate with each Kogite on this important milestone. The journey has been long, and the road was not always smooth but you stood your ground. You did not let challenges diminish your allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria or your devotion to a united, peaceful and progressive Kogi State. Happy 25th Anniversary, Great People!

I cannot hide my admiration for my father and mentor, President Muhammadu Buhari. I said as much in my Inaugural Address and I repeat same here today. I admire his ironclad will that saw him contest against incredible odds for the Presidency of Nigeria and win on the fourth attempt. Mr. President’s unbending determination to rid Nigeria of corruption continues to provide me with much needed example in a political terrain that is nearly barren of heroic personalities. On this 25th Anniversary of my state, I celebrate my boss.

On 27th of August 1991, Kogi State was created, along with Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Jigawa, Kebbi, Osun, Taraba, and Yobe States. It was the joyful reunion of a people who shared historical roots dating back to the defunct Kabba Province in the old Northern Region.

I was about 16 years old at the time and I still remember how Kogites erupted in spontaneous celebration wherever the glad tidings reached them. Everyone was excited by the promise of a new dawn. We were confident that with faith in God and handwork our new state would achieve unparalleled heights in Nigeria.

Kogi State appreciates former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida during whose tenure as Head of State our dear state was created. Every Kogite owes the colorful General whom Nigerians fondly call ‘IBB’ an undying weight of gratitude. Today as always we hail his remarkable courage, especially that singular exercise in which he carved out Kogi State from parts of Kwara and Benue States where we had been completely neglected. We wish our benefactor a long and happy life. May he live to see the emergence of a Kogi that justifies his founding visions for it. Allah Ya kara maka lafiya.

Many sons and daughters of Kogi State, too many to mention individually, also contributed beyond belief to the efforts that led to her creation. I speak of such eminent founders and fathers as General Salihu Ibrahim (former Chief of Army Staff), Alhaji Aliyu Attah (former Inspector-General of Police), and Retired General Theophilus Jemibewon (a fine officer and gentleman).

Others, equally as distinguished, include Late Chief Sunday Awoniyi (consummate technocrat), Late Dr. Stephen Makoji Achema (politician and community leader), Late Pa C.H.N Lapini (elder statesman), Chief P.S Achimugu (elder stateman) and His Excellency, Late Prince Abubakar Audu (First Executive Governor of Kogi State). The list is inexhaustible. I honor their collective achievement today.

Geographically, Kogi State is strategically located as the intersection of  all parts of the country. We share borders with 9 States and the Federal Capital Territory. This makes us the gateway to the heart of Nigeria.  The mighty Rivers Niger and Benue enter Kogi as individual flows only to find Confluence in our land. Likewise, Nigerians from diverse background find connectedness in Kogi, either as residents or travellers.

Demographically, there are about 3.5 million wonderful people currently living in Kogi. This large population help create multi-sectoral business opportunities, especially in agriculture, trade and commerce. With alluvial plains along the riverbeds and fertile uplands Kogi is a farmers’ haven, and modern Agriculture for the cultivation of numerous crops have proved very lucrative.

The State also boasts some of the most extensive solid minerals deposits in Nigeria. Our Tourism potentials are almost limitless. Innumerable historical sites, wonderful geological features and the incredible biodiversity across the State make it a very attractive tourist destination.

On August 27, 1991, our dreams of steering our own destiny became a reality. We accepted responsibility for our own success and our journey to discover greatness began. Everyone was full of great hopes for the future. Kogi State, with her massive endowments had no reason not to become a 21st century industrial and agricultural powerhouse, even without crude oil earnings, so our optimism was not foolish.

I would love to report today that Kogi State has lived up to her potentials. Truly, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to have the privilege of speaking to you today on how Kogi achieved greatness. Unfortunately, if I tried to tell you that Kogi State, after 25 years of existence, is where any patriotic Kogite dreams it would be none of you would believe me for a moment. In fact, you would laugh at me and dismiss me for a liar.

I am saddened by what we could have become. I imagine the long journey to statehood for Kogi State and the sacrifices of those who fought for that vision. Many of them, some of whom I have recognized above, laboured to plant this tree knowing they will never get to sit in its shade. Others are alive today, but unsung. It would be most disrespectful to them all if I claimed that the Kogi State we live in today is the one they envisioned. It is not.

The sad reality is that we are well below the expectations and capabilities we started out with. Some argue that Kogi State is not alone in that sad corner of under-performance. They would say it is a general reflection of the nation we live in. I disagree. It is time we owned up to our mistakes. We must stop the practice of comparing ourselves to any other under-performing states as an excuse for low achievement.

Fellow Kogites, it is far better to admit the harsh realities on ground so we can get creative about changing them than to live in denial and continue to wallow in squalor. Somewhere along our journey to greatness we were derailed, not by a mechanical fault but by deliberate acts of sabotage by those entrusted with the job of driving us to our desired future. The missed opportunities in Kogi State, and all over Nigeria for that matter, are traceable to poor and uninspiring leadership of the past.

We cannot be glad that we are not doing well like others. How is it any consolation to a wiseman that he is in the same leaky boat with others? If the boat sinks, everyone perishes. It is my belief that every state in Nigeria has had a chance to chart a course for herself different from the malaise of bad governance which permeated the nation, particularly in the last 16 years. Some states actually did and today they are way ahead of others in critical socio-economic indices.

The painful thing is that Kogi State did not join this league of visionary states. We seemed unable to find leaders who loved Kogi above self, family and friends. Thus successive Administrations posted lackluster performances leading to severe underdevelopment of the state and increased poverty among our people. If they had been merely incompetent their failures would not have been so terrible. Instead they added corruption and criminality to the mix. Simply put, some of our past leaders were utterly godless. They stole us blind.

This malaise is of course not limited to Kogi State alone. Nigeria itself was on life support when President Muhammadu Buhari came to Office. As it is, the President is still working hard to move it out of the Intensive Care Unit. Most Nigerians know this but only a few will admit it. A christian cleric recently reiterated the deep-seated wickedness shown to the people of this country, including Kogi State, by those who held power before the All Progressives Congress (APC). He lamented as follows:

‘Our past leaders, no, not…leaders, our past looters…embezzlers…have eaten the cake of this country and now everybody is suffering it…All the money voted for road constructions (and other public utilities) were swindled, eaten. Many of them became millionaires and billionaires in Naira, in Dollars, in Pounds, in Euro. Billionaires, when they have no workshop, no business centre. Somebody who has nothing he’s doing, yet he’s a billionaire, because he’s a politician…they succeeded in removing the liver, kidneys, and cardiovascular systems of this country…paralyzed the neurological organs and handed over to Buhari, the new president, shambles, skeleton almost, a nation that is (comatose)…Kidnapping was a child of the past administration. They delivered that ugly baby, and that baby resembled them…’

I am one of those who believe that the The truth must be told as bluntly as possible. I am saying it this way now so that when I am no longer Governor, posterity can have my words today as a precedent to judge me. I want Almighty God and Kogi People to judge me harshly too if I follow the same path of wanton corruption and criminality while in Office. I want us to recall the past correctly so we can drop it in the trashcan of history and move on to capture the greatness which has eluded Kogi State for 25 long years.

The Change which swept the nation with the election of President Muhammadu Buhari presented us with an opportunity to reinvent ourselves and make great strides in Kogi. Mr. President’s commitment to the Change Agenda in Nigeria provides us with a role model for Change here. We are assured of Mr. President’s support as long as we act with probity and accountability.

This 25th Anniversary is therefore an opportune time to unveil a new epoch of greatness for Kogi State. Accordingly, it is my utmost pleasure to introduce the New Direction Agenda of this Administration once more. This is especially for the benefit of our esteemed guests here who may be hearing about it for the first time today.

When I began to nurse the aspiration to run for Governor, it was clear to me that Kogi State needed more than body fillers. A lot of engine work was necessary too. The state called for overhauling and thorough servicing to get it running effectively. Once that was done, it must be turned around completely to travel in a new direction. This simple premise became the foundational philosophy for our New Direction Agenda, and it remains the basis on which we have designed our Governance Blueprint.

We are convinced that good governance is a catalyst for quick development of our communities. The New Direction Blueprint, as promised during our Campaigns, is a Marshall Plan, an actionable proposal, for how we intend to reinvent Kogi state and activate all of our potentials. Beyond that, it is our roadmap to lifting at least One Million Kogites out of the National Poverty Index during the tenure of this Administration.

The needs are many and the resources lean which means we cannot possibly do everything. The Blueprint focuses on 5 thematic areas, namely, Education, Health, Job Creation and New Ventures, Infrastructure and Utilities, and Productive Public Service and Pension Reforms. These five focal points are designed to interlock. Each  Ministry, Department and Agency of Kogi State will find that one or more, if not all, of these five focal areas provide direction for their work.

My dear people of Kogi State, The New Direction Blueprint was designed with you in mind. It is not needlessly complex nor is it full of obscure, diversionary concepts. It is simply an inventory of priority projects with estimated dates of delivery. In fact, most of the projections came from your responses in the Questionnaires sent out by our New Direction Blueprint Team and your contributions at the LG  Town Hall meetings.

To enhance access to the Blueprint by everyone, we will place reference copies in libraries, schools and other public places. It will also be uploaded online. Government will rely a lot on your feedback to monitor compliance with the Blueprint by functionaries at Local Government and other levels. Accordingly, we are working to set up a Call Centre directly under my Office through which you can make inputs. It will be manned by Special Assistants properly trained in Customer Care and appropriate etiquette.

As I begin to conclude, let me say that my considerable business experience has taught me to take the resources available per time and do my best with it. I will always provide the political will for this Administration to consistently do the right thing. We will continue to ensure the totality of Kogi’s resources work for the totality of Kogi’s People.

There is no time to enumerate all our accomplishments over the 7 months we have been in Office. I will mention a few in order to give an idea of our commitment and our momentum. On assumption we focused on workers welfare. Over the space of two months, even before we got the the bailout funds, we managed to pay 3 month’s salaries. More has been paid since the bailout came. For the records, we have only accessed 40% of the Bailout Funds approved for us by the Federal Government. We will pay more as we access more.

We commenced a staff screening and verification exercise which has removed over 18,000 unintended beneficiaries from the the state civil service payroll. This will save the state N16.6bn per annum at the rate of N1.3bn per month. Affected individuals have also been afforded the opportunity to present their cases to an Appeal Committee. No genuine worker or pensioner affected for any reason will be denied fair hearing.

The screening exercise also revealed the level of complicity in the rot by all strata of the society. It was a conspiracy to rob the state. The involvement of clerics of both major faiths in these rackets was perhaps the most disappointing. I warn that people who by their calling are meant to be societal role models must endeavour to live above board. We will not hesitate to hand them over to law enforcement if need be.

We are now better able to focus on the welfare of genuine workers. I have directed the Commissioner for Finance and the 21 Local Government Administrators to pay at least 3 months’ salaries to all workers before the  Sallah Holidays. In line with our resolve to ensure our payroll caters for only bona fide workers, it goes without saying that only those who passed the screening exercise will be paid.

Once again, and I cannot repeat this enough, any person who believes he or she was was unjustly screened out should please reach to the Appeal Committee at the appointed times and places and present their case. Schedules have been sent out several weeks ago to all Local Government Secretariats and the State Secretariat so people can avail themselves of this opportunity.

In June, 2016, I trimmed the number of ministries in the state from 20 to 15, appointing the same number of commissioners. This eliminated the duplication of roles, cut the cost of governance and increased productivity.

In order to grow our Internally Generated Revenue, we granted autonomy to the Kogi State Board of Internal Revenue, moved them to modern premises and strengthened their operational capacities. There is currently a perceptible increase in our Internally Generated Revenue. It will surely grow.

We abolished the State and Local Government Joint Account, granted financial autonomy to the Local Government Areas and strengthened oversight of their activities. This is a way of boosting this administration’s resolve to govern with transparency and accountability.

We commenced construction of rural and township roads in the three senatorial Districts of the State. Some parts of the state which had been in darkness for 5 years or more have been provided electricity with several of such projects awaiting commissioning.

This Administration resuscitated the monthly sanitation exercise and it has gone a long way in cleaning up our cities and banishing the mountains of refuse and other health hazards which dotted everywhere when we came in.

The State Ministry of Environment spearheaded the planting of thousands of trees all over the State as part of efforts to protect our environment. This is part of a greening initiative that will ultimately see millions of trees planted during the tenure of this Administration. With lessons learned from the devastating floods of 2012 our flood and erosion preparedness measures are in top gear. We are confident that the steps we are taking today will help us manage natural disasters easier and make every part of the state safer for residents.

We came into office on 27 January, 2016. The Security Agencies informed me of 18 recorded incidents of kidnapping and numerous armed robberies in that month alone. We immediately prioritized security and took the battle to the criminals. By end of February we had only 5 incidences of kidnapping along with a reduction in armed robbery. We will not relent in this war. Any such criminal remaining in Kogi State is aware that he has signed his own death warrant.

I salute the gallant men and officers of our security forces – police, military, and paramilitary for their exceptional bravery. Also worthy of honorable mention are members of our revitalized Vigilante Services. Together, we have continued to checkmate the perpetrators of violent crime within our boundaries.

I am overwhelmed with the massive support we continue to receive from His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari in this area of security as well as others. His Excellency directed his Security Chiefs to render me full support in securing Kogi State. These officers have also gone over and beyond the call of duty to respond.

General Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotum Idris, took this directive very personal and have availed us of both their physical presence and the elite resources of their respective services.

I must at this juncture appeal to community leaders, parents and guardians to take deeper interest in the escapades of their children and wards. Mischief very easily crosses over into criminality if young ones are left to their own devices. We again admonish young ones to refrain from physically engaging security operatives on or off duty. By their training, law enforcement agents will perform their constitutional duties as circumstances may require. People, including youth, who do not have respect for the law will find to their bitter regret that the law is no respecter of persons.

We cannot grow Kogi unless we attract genuine business people and provide the climate they need to thrive. Security is key to creating such an investment-friendly state. This is why we have purchased over one hundred Police Patrol Vehicles to assist the agencies in combating security challenges within the state. These vehicles were commissioned before all of us not long ago as part of activities marking this Anniversary and distributed to the various Law Enforcement Agencies.

Kogi is open for business. The Administration is revitalizing bi- and multi-lateral relationships with international development partners as well as collaborations with Nigerian businesses. We have a preference for Public Private Partnerships and similar private sector driven investment portfolios. We are committed to fostering a business climate that attracts and retains all viable investment options.

Just this week I signed an agreement with a US consortium for agro-allied investments in Kogi State that will eventually exceed the billion dollar mark. In similar vein, an automobile assembling company doing business in Nigeria displayed the prototype of one of their SUVs to me in Government House today. They will be assembling those in Kogi State before the end of 1st Quarter of 2017. Soon my people, we will have ‘Made In Kogi’ vehicles!

Today, and as always, I celebrate the life and times of Prince Abubakar Audu, the 1st Executive Governor of Kogi State. He laid a good foundation in Kogi State and is the architect of this Change that we see today. I am here today because of his labours. ‘Allah (SWT) is the Protecting Guardian of those who believe; He leads them out of the darkness into the light.’ [Qur’an 2:257]. May our leader continue to rest in peace.

I have severally extended my hand to my opponents in the elections that brought me in, seeking their brotherhood for a greater Kogi State.  We are Kogites first and foremost. We must be guided by her best interests. Without prejudice to the cases in court, I repeat that gesture again today.

I urge those whose desperate resort is to foment trouble to rethink their actions. I guarantee them that misusing the media in vain attempt to paint my Government as corrupt or clueless has absolutely no effect on me or the Administration. A clear conscience such as I have, fears no accusation. They may unsettle some of the People some of the time, but the majority of Kogites have subscribed to the New Direction Agenda and can see such antics as the childish tantrums they really are.

We do not invite any media to do any cover ups for us. Conversely we will not tolerate further fake advertorials on non-existent sleaze against us. We have drawn the absolute last straw and are very willing now to test criminal and civil laws in this regard, notwithstanding any retraction.

We support a free Press, but we will no longer condone an irresponsible one. I sincerely hope that going forward our friends in the media will give factual reportage of events in Kogi State. I still believe that media ethics transcend financial rewards. A reputable media house ought not to publish anything that is an obvious lie, irrespective of the amount to be paid.

Dear Kogites, and all our Distinguished Guests, I am excited because today our celebration is three-fold – Silver Jubilee, Silver Lining and Silver Bullet. On this Silver Jubilee the New Direction Agenda constitutes a Silver Lining of Hope tearing apart the black clouds of longstanding misgovernance and using the New Direction Blueprint as a Silver Bullet to slay the monster of backwardness confronting Kogi State.

Today is not just a time to Celebrate, but also a time to Contemplate. In Psalms 90 verse 12 The Bible says, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” When we take out time to contemplate and think over our lives and our choices, we can plan for the future better. It will be an abomination for our children to grow into adults and on the Golden Jubilee of our state find themselves face to face with our failure to prepare for their future.

In the Qur’an, Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said, “Allah said: ‘The son of Adam hurts Me by abusing Time, for I am Time; in My Hands are all things and I cause the revolution of night and day.” (Bukhari 6/351; 9/583). May we be wise not to hurt Allah Himself by abusing the time entrusted to us.

We must start today to prepare for the next 25 years by doing the right things now. It is my prayer that if God wills for us to be alive to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Kogi State, the foundations we lay together in this Administration may contribute to making that day the Golden Jubilee of a vastly improved, truly developed and heavily industrialized Kogi State.

Once again I wish Kogi State Happy Silver Jubilee!

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

God bless Kogi State.

YAHAYA BELLO
EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR
KOGI STATE
27 August, 2016.

Security: Governor Bello Advises Citizens To Be Vigilant.

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has called on the people of the state to be vigilant and security conscious by checking movement of strange persons in their neighbourhood  and report suspicious individuals to security agents.

The Governor stated this today in Lokoja at the Jumat Mosque Prayers  to mark the 25th Anniversary of the creation of the state.

Bello disclosed that some people have recruited some miscreants and imported them  to the state to cause trouble, warning the trouble shooters to relocate from the state or meet the superior power of the law.

He assured the people of the state that the law enforcement agencies are working hard to fish out the miscreants out of the state.

The Governor vowed to continue to ensure the unity of the state, adding that he is poised to lead the state through necessary reforms that will bring about even development in all sectors of the economy.

I am conscious of the circumstance that brought me to power and will only be answerable to God and the people of Kogi State,” he stated.

Niger Govt To Incorporate Sports In School Curriculum

The Niger State Government on Wednesday said it would incorporate sports into the curriculum of its primary and secondary schools.

Mamman Bosso, the State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna that this would encourage talented youths to get acquainted at the early stage of their lives.

“We are making arrangements to include sports into our primary and secondary education curriculum in order to develop grassroots sports. The state government will also rehabilitate sporting facilities across the state to ensure that the policy succeeds,” Bosso said.

He said the ministry would continue to discuss with its education counterpart for a full implementation of the programme.

According to the commissioner, the state governor is passionate about the plan and has given directives to that effect.

NAN reports that the state government has already commenced rehabilitation work on the two major sport facilities in Minna to boost sporting activities.

Press Release: Kogi State Government Remains Transparent, Focused.

The attention of the Kogi State Government has been drawn to a spurious, libelous and malicious publication on page 50 of ThisDay newspapers dated 17th August, 2016, in which the paper raised a feeble and fallacious alarm of graft against the Kogi State Government.
Be that as it may, Governor Yahaya Bello has re-positioned the state to come to terms with the tenets of fiscal responsibility and financial discipline. Since January 27, 2016, Kogi State has joined the league of states that have put their feet down on transparency, accountability, prudence and fiscal-tailored financial management.
Therefore, it is farcical and preposterously derogatory for a newspaper that prides itself to be in line with Truth and Reason to write such a tempestuous streak of indefensible innuendos aimed at damaging the integrity of the Government of Kogi State.
The administration of Governor Yahaya Bello has remained the first in the history of the State to publicly declare the income and expenditure of government with copious references to State Government Accounts at different banks. This is the opium of transparency.
Brushing aside the impunity of the pen and disregard for investigative journalism as displayed by ThisDay newspapers, the general public must begin to look at the idiocy of the recycled lies by disgruntled elements, who are bent on thwarting The New Direction Agenda of the present administration.
Shortly before the Lower Tribunal judgement in the election cases instituted against the Governor, the same political elements took to town, through a discredited column in The Nation newspapers known as Palladium. The column was used to propagate the same falsehood against the Governor. The allegations lack truth, sense of responsibility, credibility and logical reasoning.
The judiciary rose to the occasion by toeing the path of law and delivered judgments based on the point of law and justice. The jubilant eruption in Lokoja over the Appellate Tribunal judgments is an indication of the popular acceptance of the People’s Governor. The tetra-kicks by agents of distraction is understandable. But, we shall remain committed to good governance. We have no reason to respond to the allegations as we have set the record straight on many occasions. However, the public must begin to see the character of those who aspired to lead them. It has become crystal clear that they do not love Kogi State.
Few days to the Appellate Tribunal judgments, the group of disgruntled elements whose ambition has hit the rocks also planted fictitious stories in the dailies to paint Kogi State as a corrupt State, despite all the drive of the Governor to develop the State and make it the key to the greatness of the nation. Again, their plans fail. Truth is sacrosanct. Truth is constant.
Now that the cases have gone to the Supreme Court , the detractors have stepped up their falsehood through attempts at mudslinging the Judiciary and the Government of Kogi State.
They should learn from history. The Supreme Court is the judicial hope of any nation. It is manned by people who are prepared to defend the point of law.
It is unfortunate for people who milked our state dry to connive with those who were aspiring to milk it dry to bring the name of the State to ridicule just for political mileage. The people of the State are unmoved by this desperate attacks by crass opportunists who have lost touch with the political state of the State.
At inception, the Governor was called “a toddler” and his Chief of Staff, Mr. Edward David Onoja, was called “a kindergarten Chief of Staff.” Today, the “toddler” has restored the confidence of the Kogi people in their government. Today, the Governor has been able to save over 1.6 billion naira the “experienced” predecessors were paying to ghost workers monthly.
Today, Governor Yahaya Bello has mobilized contractors to rehabilitate our roads in all of the Senatorial Districts. Today, over 200 utility vehicles have been procured for delivery to security agencies to make Kogi people safe.
The achievements of Governor Yahaya Bello and their own failures have formed a chemistry of hate and a delicate determination of the enemies of the Kogi people to wage a relentless war against the people. Since they are so detached from the people, they have no choice than to use papers whose publishers took part in sharing arms fund, to discredit a government that has taken transparency as a top priority for good governance.
Aside the political desperation to intimidate the Judiciary, it is also instructive to note that the decision of the Kogi State Government to look into why high-class contracts failed in the State has no doubt jolted the incurably corrupt accusers. They have been running from post to post to save their necks from their past maleficence.
Contracts for which billions were paid in Kogi State were never executed. As a leader that abhors corruption, the Governor has directed the setting up of a Judicial Panel of Inquiry to unravel how the funds grew wings.
There have been multi-faceted pressure on the Governor to rescind the decision. But, in his characteristic way, Governor Yahaya Bello has decided to stick with the people and protect their Commonwealth. No amount of propaganda and falsehood can derail the good work the Governor is doing in the State.
We make bold to say that every contract awarded by the present administration in the State went through due process. The selling point of our dear party is transparency which is the bulwark of good governance. There cannot be development when resources are siphoned by people who are charged with the responsibility of safeguarding those resources for the common good.
For the umpteenth time, we wish to reiterate the fact that renovation contacts were awarded within Government House in line with the Public Procurement Act. We have been conscious of the fact that our good intentions must be matched by strict adherence to due process.
Those who want to trade the destiny of the State and those mismanaged our rainy days are busy sponsoring spurious allegations against a restoration government. We shall not be dampened by the serial idiocy, but emboldened by the strength of the Kogi people and the solidarity of our people.
Ultimately , Governor Yahaya Bello is running a media-friendly government in line with his unassailable respect for the freedom of speech through a free press. A free press is a veritable vehicle for advancing the frontiers of freedom and development. On the other hand, an irresponsible press is sad reminder of the dark days of khakistocracy. The Governor has no plan to gag the press, but will always demand for explanations when the rules of journalism are blatantly and flagrantly poached. As a government, we will welcome constructive criticism, but we will frown at libelous publications against the State Government.
The onus of proof will always be on those who allege. We urge the media to desist from constituting themselves as pawns in the hands of perfidious politicians who are desperate to malign the person of the Governor. Our respect for the fourth estate of the realm should not be taken for granted. We will clinically curb the trend of sponsored media attack on our state.
The ongoing projects in the State are speaking for the government. We are silencing our detractors with solid performance. A number of approvals have been given by the State Executive Council for more projects to be executed across the state. After four years, our performance would have done enough damage to the sixteen years of locust under the People’s Democratic Party.
With improved security across the State, those who celebrated our security challenge are now shifting ground to peddling falsehood. Governor Yahaya Bello should be judged by his achievements.
The Freedom of Information Act has made it easy for citizens to track the performance and transparency of their government. Our doors are open. Our hands are clean. The people know what their government is doing. God and good are with us.
All we have for the Egalitarian Mission for Africa is pity. They have acted on a report built on falsehood and malice. Now they have become a subject of scorn for their incoherent, false petition.
The people of Kogi State are wise, intelligent and informed. They cannot be hoodwinked by those who had destroyed the State before the advent of the present administration in the State.
We are focused. We are marching forward. We believe in a new Kogi. We are moving towards a New Direction of unity, progress and development.
Signed
Kingsley Fanwo
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

Kogi APC Stalwart Asks Bello To Resign

Credit: NationalMirror

‘Return Government Cars Or Get Arrested’ – Gov Bello Warns Ex Govt Officials

Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello, has warned former political office holders in the state to return official vehicles they made away with while leaving office or risk being arrested. A statement issued by the state government released today reads;

“The refusal of the former political office holders ?involved in this act to return the vehicles despite several appeals made to them has led to the constitution of the Vehicles Recovery Committee by the State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello,”

The Committee, which was inaugurated yesterday, April 11th, was mandated to go after the vehicles and recover same in order to accelerate the smooth running of the current government and its programmes. The committee which is chaired by the ?Adaidu Akoh, who is also the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, says it has so far recovered 7 cars.

Barry Eneji Yakub: Of Governor Bello’s Bulldozers and Mahmud Jega’s Buried Amulets

The recent demolition by the Kogi State government of some landmarks in Lokoja, the state capital has caused not a little stir among the general public. From the media reportage of the demolitions of the former Paparanda Square; Lugard, Lokoja City, NTA and Government House Roundabouts, one is inclined to think or believe that the Yahaya Bello administration had perpetrated a Taliban or ISIS-styled destruction of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kogi State.

Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Governor Yahaya Bello during his inaugural address on January 27, 2016 at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja had stated his administration’s resolve to, among others; reposition Kogi State as a tourist destination of choice, tapping into her unique and strategic position as a gateway to the Northern, Eastern and Western parts of Nigeria. The rich colonial history of Lokoja as the first administrative base of the British colonialists in Northern Nigeria is added boon to the latent tourism potentials of Kogi State. These, more than anything else, must have informed the decision of the Kogi State government to immediately begin the task of rebranding Lokoja by getting rid of, to be quite honest, the monstrous architectural eyesores that passed for city landmarks, and that had over the years serve to reinforce popular opinion of Lokoja as the dirtiest State Capital in Nigeria.

It is worth noting that contrary to widespread reports in the media, none of the 5 demolished landmarks quite fit the billing of a ‘monument’. Governor Yahaya Bello administration committed as it is, to repositioning Kogi State as a tourist hub, could not have at the same time, destroyed monuments that are major draws for potential tourists and visitors to the State.

Kogi State is renowned for its diverse tourist attractions. Lokoja on its own, can boast of historical monuments such as the official residence and office of Lord Frederick Lugard, the first colonial Governor General of Nigeria; the Iron of Liberty, European Cemetery, Confluence of the Rivers Niger and Benue, Mount Patti, the first Primary School in Northern Nigeria, Holy Trinity Primary School founded by the famous Bishop Ajayi Crowther amongst others. None of these UNESCO World Heritage designation-worthy monuments were demolished by the State government during the recent exercise.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo in a press release on the issue said that the demolitions were the beginning of a process to make Lokoja more attractive. “The nodal status of Lokoja as the gateway to the North, East and West is supposed to be an attractive state capital in order to meet the expectations of potential tourists. This is with the intention of replacing them with beautiful ones, befitting of its status,” Mr. Fanwo explained. He added further that there will be no stones left unturned by the Yahaya Bello’s administration in its resolve to fulfill its major policy objective of making Kogi State a tourism hub as a way of further diversifying the State’s economy and increasing her Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) base.

Sadly, these rational explanations from the State Government has had little effect on some commentators who since the demolitions, have gone to town with numerous rumours and false insinuations on the  reasons for the demolition of the 5 landmarks in Lokoja city. The most laughable is the one that His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello ordered the demolitions in order to remove the portent ‘jujus’ planted beneath these landmarks by his predecessor, Captain Idris Wada.

Ordinarily, one would have dismissed all these with a wave of hand as the handiwork of desperate political traducers but for the views expressed by Mahmud Jega, Managing Editor of Daily Trust Newspaper in his Monday Column titled ‘In Search of Buried Amulets’ published on February 29, 2016 where he all but implied that the fetish leaning of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello was the real reason behind the demolition of the 5 landmarks. Coming from a respected and seasoned journalist of Mahmud Jega’s standing, it smacks of a willful attempt at impugning the character of Governor Yahaya Bello. It was most unfair and uncalled for.

In the said column, Mahmud Jega displayed a surprising lack of insight into the very issue he was writing about. Rather, he descended into a farcical narration of the demolitions and in a manner most unseemly, proceeded to recount a fantastical story based on rumours and hearsays of how Governor Yahaya Bello’s predecessor, Captain Idris Wada had buried amulets and human remains as juju sacrifices to ensure his victory in the November 21 Governorship election in the State and the demolitions were but Governor Yahaya Bello’s way of removing the fetish objects.

One expected Mr. Mahmud Jega, a widely respected columnist, to have sprinkled his decidedly bland fantasy broth with some tasty seasoning of objectivity. Alas, he quite literally jumped into the fray, dismissing the reasons advanced by the Kogi State Government for the demolition of the landmarks as in his words, they “hold no water because Yahaya Bello inherited a state in deep financial and labour crisis and it is difficult to believe that demolishing roundabouts and building more beautiful ones is his top priority.

Yes, Governor Yahaya Bello inherited a deeply troubled state; fiscally and infrastructure-wise, but to conclude that because of these problems Governor Yahaya Bello will be unable to focus on his stated mandate of delivering good governance and responsible leadership to the people of Kogi State is downright patronizing and an underestimation of the true measure of the man whom God has chosen to lead Kogi State in quite extraordinary circumstances. Governor Yahaya Bello is aware of the enormous challenges facing Kogi State and since taking the oath of office; he and his team have been working assiduously to bring Kogi State out of the present gloom into the sunshine of sustainable development and growth once again.

Some of his early actions such as the swift resolution of the industrial strike action embarked upon by Kogi workers over months of unpaid salaries by his predecessor, reinstatement of 15 illegally sacked Local Government Council Chairmen, abolition of State and Local Governments Joint Account, institution of voluntary environmental sanitation and immediate clean up of Lokoja, comprehensive staff audit to rid Kogi State Civil Service of the menace of ghost workers’ amongst others, has marked out this chartered accountant and astute businessman as one with a firm grasp of the issues bedevilling the state and also, the panaceas. There is nothing thus far to suggest that Governor Yahaya Bello is ill-equipped to handle the multifarious roles, or perform the countless socio-economic balancing acts required of a responsible government that seeks to provide strong, dynamic, focused and driven leadership to the people.

Governor Yahaya Bello does not believe in juju; terrestrial or subterranean. He therefore has no need to demolish any landmark in Lokoja or any part of the state to excavate buried amulets and other fantastical weavings of overactive imaginations. His belief is centred solely on God who has brought him “a young boy, fatherless while still a baby” through the vicissitudes of life to his present station as Governor of Kogi State and the lodestone of the aspirations of her 3-million odd inhabitants.

The forces against Governor Yahaya Bello are many and varied. It follows then that in their desperation they are hell-bent on using every policy and action of the administration, no matter how trivial or harmless; to justify their hollow narrative that he is a usurper to the Lugard House. Nevertheless, Governor Yahaya Bello will not be deterred from his administration’s core mission of “serving the superseding interests of the people of Kogi State to the very best of its capabilities.” In this regard, Governor Yahaya Bello waits upon none but the affirmation of God and the people of Kogi State.

Mahmud Jega was right on one score. “Bello’s bulldozers” are very busy in Kogi State, clearing and laying the foundations of a modern Kogi which shall arise from the rubbles of every demolished relics of the recent past when Kogi State was nothing more than a glorified farm centre. Governor Yahaya Bello is hard at work indeed.

Barry Eneji Yakub (BEY) is a member of the APC. He is a businessman, public affairs analyst and grassroot politician. He sent this piece from Eika-Adagu, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Email: bey4okehi@gmail.com

 

Views expressed are solely that of author and does not represent views of www.omojuwa.com nor its associates

Kogi House of Reps Members Take Over Kogi Assembly

Following the one month crisis that has rocked the Kogi state House of Assembly, members of the House of Reps today March 8th, resolved to take over the function of the state assembly. The Kogi state House of Assembly was thrown into crises after five members impeached the speaker Momoh Jimoh Lawal and elected Umar Imam as new speaker last month.

A panel set up by the House of Representatives to resolve the issue was shunned by the Assembly members. In taking the decision at plenary, the House of Rep members said its action was in line with the provision of Section 11 (4) of the 1999 Constitution, which says the National Assembly could
take over the functions of any state assembly that is enmeshed in crisis.

They urged the Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase to immediately seal off the Kogi Assembly since the House has taken over its functions.

Aisha Buhari, Bello, Arase Visit Late Minister’s Family (PHOTOS)

Government officials at the federal and state levels today visited the home of the late Minister of State for Labour, James Ocholi, to commiserate with his family.

Ocholi, his wife, and one of his sons had lost their lives on Sunday in a car crash along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, shocking the nation.

Among those who visited his home today were the Wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha; the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase.

The officials, who paid tribute to the late Ocholi, all signed the condolence register before leaving.

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, were among those who visited the home.

Condolence1

Condolence2

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Credit: Punch

Bello Sacks Kogi Accountant General, Perm Secs, Others

Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello yesterday sacked the Accountant General of the state, Mr Ibrahim Idakwo and all permanent secretaries except the Permanent Secretary in charge of Government House.
A statement issued in Lokoja by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, said the governor also directed all Heads of Administration to proceed on compulsory leave immediately.

The statement said the Accountant General had been relieved of his post while his deputy should proceed on the compulsory 30-day leave.
“At the local government level, the Directors of Local Government Administration, treasurers, education secretaries and cashiers are also to proceed on compulsory leave. The decision is geared towards ensuring a more efficient and productive civil service. The directive takes effect from tomorrow (today)”, the statement said.
The latest development according to our correspondent means that over 100 top government officials in the state might as well be on the verge of losing their jobs.
There are 21 local government areas in the state, implying that 21 directors of local government administration, 21 treasurers and 21 education secretaries got the hammer. The directive also affects 37 permanent secretaries.
Bello had on assumption of duty dissolved all government boards and parastatals except the Judicial Service Commission, State Independent Electoral Commission and Civil Service Commission.

Credit:dailytrust

Muhammad ‘Din Shehu: Governor Yahaya Bello And The Politics Of Early Appointments

It is no longer news that His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has been sworn in as the 4th Executive Governor of Kogi State on Wednesday, 27 January 2016. What has raised not a few eyebrows among some political stakeholders in Kogi State are the first political appointments made by the Governor in the immediate aftermath of his inauguration. In a statement released in Lokoja, the State Capital and signed personally, Governor Yahaya Bello announced the appointment with immediate effect of Mr. Edward Onoja as his new Chief of Staff. Also appointed is Mr. Abdulkarim Abdulmalik as Special Adviser, Media and Strategy, and Mr. Kingsley Fanwo as Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

The appointments to neutral observers reflect the stated aim of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello in his well-received inaugural speech, to run “an all-inclusive and equitable administration which shall exist for the sole purpose of serving the superseding interests of the people of Kogi State”. The staunchest critic will agree that the three (3) key appointments are truly “all-inclusive”. Mr. Edward ‘Eddy’ Onoja, the new Chief of Staff hails from Ogugu, Olamaboro Local Government Area in the Eastern senatorial district of Kogi State; while the newly-appointed Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Mr. Abdulkarim Abdulmalik is from Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area in the Central senatorial district, and lastly, the Chief Press Secretary Mr. Kingsley Fanwo is from Takete Ide Amuro, Mopamuro Local Government Area in Kogi West senatorial district.

However, the appointment of Edward Onoja from Kogi East as Chief of Staff has caused quite a stir amongst some supporters of the Governor and competing political interest groups in the State. In line with the general belief that the position of Chief of Staff is akin to that of an all-powerful ‘administrative usher’ who determines who have access to the Governor’s  eyes and ears or not, some have opined that the position should have been filled by an individual from either Kogi central-the Governor’s senatorial district- or Kogi West as appointing an Igala man; never mind one who has demonstrated so practically his depth of loyalty  and whom Governor Bello perhaps in an unprecedented manner acknowledged his “doggedness” and “forthrightness”  during the course of his inaugural address, negates the spirit of the power shift that has just been achieved in Kogi State.

While Fairwin, a political support network of friends and associates of His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello have pledged their total support for Mr. Onoja’s appointment hailing it as ‘’a just reward for his unquantifiable loyalty’’,  another political pressure group known as Old Kwara Initiative Forum- a forum comprising political stakeholders from Kogi West and Central Senatorial Districts who came from the old Kwara State into Kogi State- has kicked against the appointment  as in their opinion, the position of Chief of Staff to the Governor must be ‘the exclusive preserve of old Kwarans from Kogi West or Kogi Central Senatorial Districts’ and warned against any appointment that undermine the longstanding partnership and confidence-building between the two senatorial districts.

In the view of this writer, the slight tremors over the appointment of Mr. Onoja stem from a misconception of the roles and functions of a Chief of Staff. According to the online resource site Wikipedia, ‘the title ‘Chief of Staff’ identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons, who is the coordinator of the support staff or a primary aide-de-camp to an important individual such as a President, Governor or a Military Officer.’

Administratively, the Chief of Staff provides a buffer between a chief executive and the executive’s direct reporting team. He generally works behind the scenes to solve problems, mediate disputes, and deal with issues before they are brought to the attention of the chief executive. Additionally, the Chief of Staff acts as a confidante and adviser to the chief executive, acting as a sounding board for ideas.

From the foregoing, it is clear that the multifarious roles and functions of a Chief of Staff necessitated Governor Yahaya Bello appointing a politically tested, trusted and proven strategist in Mr. Edward Onoja to the position.  The position of a Chief of Staff in Nigeria’s present political dispensation is too sensitive to be filled by all but one in whom the chief executive reposes deep faith and confidence.

Since 1999, the trend among successive Presidents and Governors has been to appoint trusted and loyal lieutenants as Chiefs of Staff. From 1999 to 2007, former President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed Major-General Abdullahi Mohammed, a long-time aide from his days in the military as Chief of Staff. Major-General Mohammed distinguished himself in that capacity as a loyal, competent and adroit ‘behind-the-scene’ administrator during the eight years of the Obasanjo administration. His expertise in that role was such that the administration of Late President Musa Yar’adua deemed it fit to retain him in that capacity until his voluntary resignation on May 30th, 2008.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan also picked as Chief of Staff a long-time associate in Chief Mike Oghiadome SAN. It is instructive that Oghiadome’s eventual removal in 2014 was occasioned by his perceived inability to smoothen the frayed political relationship between his principal and some State Governors, thus underlining the extremely dicey political balancing acts required of a Chief of Staff.  He was replaced by former President Jonathan with Brigadier-General Jones Arogbofa, another political ally and close associate. Presently, the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari is Abba Kyari- a lawyer, former banker and trusted lieutenant of many years standing.

The most famous Chief of Staff in contemporary Nigerian political history is arguably Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN who served as Chief of Staff to former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the ruling APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from 1999 till May 29, 2007 when he succeeded his principal as Governor of the State. It was a veritable reward for his selfless loyalty, dedication, competence and administrative dexterity as Chief of Staff in Nigeria’s most complex State.

The days of parochial political appointments based on ethnic and tribal sentiments are over in Kogi State. It is no longer about where a man is from, but his capacity to make meaningful and positive contribution to the development of the State. Governor Yahaya Bello stated in a recent media outing that he intends to run an inclusive government where every citizen of the State has a stake. If it is anything to go by, the Governor’s initial appointments have shown that he is ready to match action to words in this regard.

Change has indeed come to Kogi State. Champions of petty ethnicity have no role whatsoever to play in the current dispensation.  The era of ethnic politics is forever condemned to the wasteland of history where it belongs, never to be revisited! Governor Yahaya Bello quoting President Muhammadu Buhari’s now famous apophthegm “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody” during his inaugural speech declared it his “guiding principles for fair action and equitable governance in Kogi State”. It follows then that every action, policy and programme of the Yahaya Bello administration must be viewed by supporters and critics alike, in this light.

The enormous social and economic challenges that his administration inherited has made it imperative for well-meaning citizens of Kogi State to close ranks and support the youngest Governor in Nigeria in the onerous task of of bringing Kogi State out of gloom into the sunshine of sustainable development and growth once again.

 Governor Yahaya Bello having taking the oath of office is now sworn to a binding contract with the people of Kogi State for the next four years. What he needs now more than anything is the peoples’ prayers and support for him and his chosen team to lead a responsible, people-oriented government that provides good governance, leadership, and the enabling environment for every citizen to fulfill his dreams and her aspirations.

Muhammad ‘Din Shehu, a writer and public affairs analyst wrote in from Lokoja, Kogi State

Follow on Twitter: @dinstots

Email: dinisalive@gmail.com

Views expressed are solely that of author and does not represent views of www.omojuwa.com nor its associates

Kogi Indigenes Drag Govt To ECOWAS Court Over Bello

Lawyers yesterday continued to differ on the implications of the new Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello being sworn in without a deputy.

Meanwhile, 24 hours after Bello was sworn in, a group of concerned indigenes have approached the ECOWAS Court of Justice seeking to nullify the election in which Bello was declared a winner.

In another development, campaign coordinators for Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello in the Eastern Senatorial District of the state, yesterday offered an insight into why they nominated an Abuja-based publisher, Mr. Gowon Usman Egbunu as their preferred deputy governorship candidate.

A Lagos-based Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) has said that the absence of a deputy during Wednesday’s inauguration of Bello as the governor of Kogi State did not affect the validity of Bello’s inauguration at all.

Pinheiro, who was reacting to the situation in a telephone interview said the fact that Bello did not contest the election in the first place revealed the lacuna in the constitution.

According to him, the absence of a deputy has not affected the validity of the inauguration at all.”

But constitutional lawyer, James Ezike thought otherwise, describing the action as an aberration and demonstration of an end to an era.

To the lawyer, there is nothing about the present government that is constitutional. According to him, it is strange for a man who overthrew a democratically elected government Alhaji Shehu Shagari to now be talking about treasonable felony.

In a suit, the plaintiffs , Sule Audu, Ikeleji Agada, Labaran Ismail Dadido, Isaka Isa Abdul Audu Ademu Abdullahi and Sulaiman Abdul, through their attorney, Festus A. Ogwuche, stated that the election of Bello was not in conformity or consistent with Nigeria’s international obligations.

Credit: Guardian

 

Kogi: INEC Confirms Bello As APC’s Candidate

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday said Alhaji Yahaya Bello is the APC governorship candidate for Saturday’s supplementary election.

He replaces the late Abubakar Audu, who died before the conclusion of the election process.

The INEC’s Deputy Director, Publicity, Mr Nick Dazang said: “They have sent the name of their replacement candidate, the runner-up in their primaries, that is Yahaya Bello, to the commission”.

The INEC spokesman assured the people of Kogi State that the commission is fully prepared to conduct both the Kogi Supplementary and Bayelsa governorship elections. Both polls are slated for Saturday,

According to him: “Commission is committed to conduct the two elections, that is why in respect of Kogi, in spite of what happened, we came out with public notice which invites the APC to submit its replacement candidate for the election”.

Credit: Nation

Fodio Ahmed: Niger State; Governor Bello And His Entrepreneurship System Of Governance

In every political dispensation the government in power often formulates or operates on one form of idealization of the other. For example President Buhari is known for transparency, accountability and discipline, these are precepts of his political trust. Narrowing one’s mind to Niger State since 1999, we have had three governors beginning with Engineer A.A. Kure who adopted Islamic jurisprudence as guiding order and of course we witnessed the introduction of Sharia Law in the state. After Kure, came Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu with his bureaucratic and socialist ideology via the adoption of the Servant Leadership System of governance and with it came the establishment Jama’a Forum where the masses participated in their own governance through quality interaction and contribution of ideas to their leaders. And of course, the Ward Development Project was another initiative towards entrenching the vision of the servant leadership objectives.

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello is an entrepreneur and is certainly bringing to the fore his capitalistic ideas of administration which in itself is a positive thing. If properly managed, capitalism could open doors for favourable competition amongst investors which could lead to the emergence of a robust public-private sector collaborations that would definitely boost the economy and generate employment for the teeming youths. A keen observer may have noticed the element of capitalism being introduced into governance already. One of the fundamental principles of an entrepreneur is cutting down risks or liabilities thereby creating room for quality maximization of available resources for the sustainability of the assets.

The governor has done this through the cutting of liability by reducing the number of ministries and agencies in the state most who end up duplicating each other’s functions. The reduction of ministries also means the reduction of commissioners in the state which automatically implies reduction in government’s expenditure because it would no longer cater for non-performing agencies of government because they no longer exist. This action also implies that the budget would be tighter and available resources would be employed to more cogent developmental issues in the state such as Education, Agriculture, Employment generation etc.

Governor Bello’s slow decision in announcing or creating his Executive Council may not be unconnected with the need for caution and prudence in putting together a team that would be totally committed to the development of the state. Every business requires the best brains to succeed, so also is the case with governance, the best brains are needed to form the team that would transform the state. Planning and structuring is fundamental to the functionality of any organization and it is quite clear by the governor’s disposition that he is trying to create an organizational frame work for the state which requires quality interaction and consultation with the relevant stake holders.

The merging of ministries and agencies is a definite way of reducing government cost and enhancing metallic productivity in governance. The governor’s action is a manifestation of his entrepreneurship expertise gathered from his private business exploits in the past. His business acumen is a plus in governance because for once we have governor who appreciates the norm of value for money. In other words, we have a governor who will effectively manage our resources and maximise it for the economic development of the state. Much as the governor’s restructuring portends good omen for the state, caution needs to emphasis especially as regards the people he is going to employ to help him manage the state, the commissioners. We hope and pray he does not bring on board people who will end up mortgaging our state like others have done in the past.

Like a Senior Colleague, Public diarist and fire spitting Essayist, Gimba Kakanda will say, May God Save Us From Us !.

Fodio, Wrote in from Minna, Niger State.

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 Views expressed are solely that of author and does not represent views of www.omojuwa.com nor its associates

Niger State Government House : ‘No Money Is Missing’ – Dooba

The attention of Niger State government has been drawn to a statement credited to the APC state publicity secretary, alleging that N150 million had gone missing from the government house; however, our checks have revealed that this was a complete fabrication.

When the chairman of the party, Engr Muhammad Jibril Imam, was asked to confirm if the story indeed came from the party secretariat, he said it did not. “I’m the party chairman and I know nothing of any missing money,” the chairman said. “The party didn’t discuss anything like that and therefore couldn’t have approved such a statement to be issued. We can only commend the governor for his people oriented actions and policies of the past couple of months,” he said.

As critical consumers of information, the people are therefore urged to treat such allegations with caution, because in the eyes of the law, the person who creates libelous material, the person who publishes it and the person who repeats or shares it, are all legally answerable. The logical thing is to ask the individual who made the allegation for evidence, if not, we may irreparably damage the names of good people.

Further, it would really be surprising for such a thing to happen in our government house, because besides the fact that the governor is an economist, he’s also well known as a prudent manager of resources. Most of the time, it’s difficult for even money expended on a pen in the government house to escape his notice.

Dr. Ibraheem Dooba
Chief Press Secretary

It Is Dangerous Marrying One wife As A Muslim, You Need Two & Above – Muslim Scholar

Well known for his tough lectures, popular Islamic scholar and preacher, Sheik Muyideen Bello is at it again. Bello has said a Muslim man will be doing himself more harm by marrying just one wife, but instead he will advise such a man to start with two. He made this known in one of his lectures titled Legal Marriage. Enjoy!

“Allah said a man should marry any kind of woman he likes. As a man, if you want to marry a fair-complexioned or dark woman, marry her. Allah said we should start from 2 women. I know women will not like to hear this. If you have to marry, start with 2 women, that is what the Quran says. The Yorubas have a saying that a man with 1 woman isn’t a real man. For instance if you are
married to 1 wife and she over-salts your food, you have just 1 wife. You don’t have a choice than to eat the food or buy food outside.

“I have received so many messages from people that why should I encourage polygamy. I tell them, is it me encouraging polygamy? Allah said you should marry 2, 3, 4. Allah said if as a man you know you can’t take care of them, then marry 1. Then if you are a me&my wife kind of man, the implications are too many. As Muslims, 4 women is the maximum a man can have, have 2 living with you then if you have 2 houses outside, you put the other 2 there. The implications in marrying just 1 wife are too many.

Nasko Concedes, Congratulates Sani Bello

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Niger State governorship candidate, Umar Nasko has conceded and congratulated All Progressives Congress (APC) governor-elect, Abubakar Sani Bello for his victory at the polls.

In a statement signed by one Yahaya Mohammed Usman on behalf of Nasko, the PDP flag bearer wrote, “I congratulate Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello on his election on his election as the governor of Niger State”.

The statement reads, “For now the people of our dear state have decided and I submit to their decision which though not in my favour but for my co- contestant and brother Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello of the All progressive congress (APC), for I believe he has the interest of the state just like me, at heart.

“My hearty congratulations to him and his team for the success recorded, I urge him to always put the interest of the people and the state first above all”.

He then called on the people of the state to give the incoming government maximum cooperation that will lead it to success, as it is the wish of every government to work hard to better the life of the citizens and the state.

In same vein the Speaker of Niger State House of Assembly, Barrister Adamu Usman said the victory of Bello reflects the wishes of the people of the state and therefore urged him not to disappoint them.

The Speaker noted that the unprecedented support given to the governor-elect was a clean demonstration of the people’s trust and confidence in him adding that he must strive to carry every one along in the scheme of things irrespective of party, religion or tribal affiliation.

Usman expressed the believe that the states wide campaign tour by Bello should have afforded him the opportunity to fully understand and appreciate the needs of the people advising that he should tailor his efforts towards the development of the state.

He stressed that as an entrepreneur, the governor-elect should bring his expertise to bear by providing an industrial blueprint that would revolutionize all sectors of the state economy.