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Kwara: NSCDC to establish Female Squad to prevent abduction In schools By Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin The Kwara state Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has created a Female Squad to man security in schools across the state. The newly established squad is set up to checkmate abduction of students from…

Tension in Ilorin as Yoruba/Hausa clash in Mandate market By Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin There was palpable tension on Tuesday at the popular Mandate market in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, following an alleged stabbing of a Yoruba man on the head and mouth by an Hausa man over an argument on sales of sugarcane….

Northern States women endorse Yahaya Bello for 2023 Presidency Women from Nigeria’s Nineteen Northern State have declared their support for Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi, naming him as their choice candidate to run for President in 2023. The Group under the aegis, Yahaya Bello Network (YBN) made this known on Tuesday when they paid a…

*2023: 100 Bishops, other Christian clerics to hold 3-day prayer at Unity Fountain for Gov Yahaya Bello* No less than 100 Christian clerics, mostly Bishops, have announced their intention to hold a three-day prayer and fasting for Governor Yahaya Bello’s emergence as president in 2023. According to a statement signed by the convener, Bishop Jonathan…

*SIGH OF RELIEF AS HON ADEMOLA BELLO DESTINY DISTRIBUTES BAGS OF RICE AND CASH TO CONSTITUENTS.* 7th Assembly member representing Mopamuro LGA Constituency Hon Destiny doles out cash and reasonable numbers of bags of rice to his Constituents for season’s celebrations. The lawmaker appreciates the entire people of the Constituency for their usual understanding and…

Governor Yahaya Bello has been commended for the appointment of Alhaji Chogudo Sule Ahmed as the new Clerk of Kogi State House of Assembly. Iin a press statement signed and released by Idowu Aligu, the Chairman of the State House of Assembly Service Commission, Alhaji Malik Andas gave the commendation today in Lokoja. Alhaji Malik…

2022: Comrade (AJASON) Charges ATWAP FCT on renew committment to collective prosperity, growth and development. The Chairman of the Association of Table water Producers of Nigeria, (ATWAP) F.C.T Abuja Chapter and the Chief Executive Officer of Ajason Plastic and water company limited, Comrade Muhammed Okpanachi Akwuh has urged members and customers of the Association to…

4TH QUARTER2021PRESS–RELEASE BY KOGINGOs NETWORK (KONGONET) ON 1ST JANUARY,2022. GentlemenofthePress; HappyNewYearandWelcometoourSTATEOFKOGIquarterlyPressbriefingbyKONGONET.OnbehalfofthecivilsocietycommunityofKogiState,wewishthestateandhercitizensthebestoftheyear2022. KogiNGOsNetwork(KONGONET)isacoalitionofCivilSocietyNetworkschampioningthepromotionofparticipatorydemocracy,goodgovernance/bestpractices,accountablegovernanceandnetworkcoordinationinKogiStatethroughadvocacyandpolicyinfluencingforthewell-beingofKogites. Background Theyear2021hascometoanend,ayearfilledwithseveraluncertaintiesandyetundoubtedlythestatemadefewinroadstowardssuccess.Thefinalquarteroftheyearwasfilledwithremarkableevents,oneofthestateownedinstitutions,ConfluenceUniversityofScienceandTechnology(CUSTECH)Osaramatriculatedherfirstsetofstudents,theongoingrehabilitationofLokojatownshiproads,thegiantvocationaltrainingcentreongoingatoldstadium,theultramodernsecondaryschoolbuildingongoingatAdankoloLokojaandtheGanajaFlyoverBridge.ThelaterpartofthequartersawtheretirementandappointmentofanewclerkofKogiStatehouseofassemblyandthedeploymentofanewcommissionerofpolicetothestate.Withinthereportingquarter,securitychallengeswerealsoatitspeakasthemothertothecurrentChiefofstafftotheexecutivegovernorwaskidnappedfromherhouse,twoweekslaternoinformationofherwhereabouts.TheKogiStatehouseofassemblypassedthe2022appropriationbillanditwassignedintolawbytheExecutiveGovernoron29thDecember,2022amidstconcernsfromCivilSocietyOrganizations(CSOs)onbudgetdefenceadoptedbytheKogiStateHouseofAssemblyforMinistries,DepartmentandAgencies(MDAs)asagainstpublichearingonthebudget.Thebudgetalsoharbourmoreresourcesforrecurrentexpenditurecomparedtocapitalexpenditure,amajorconcernwasthehugesumbudgetedtobespentingovernmenthouse,anofficethatdoesn’tgeneraterevenue.Therateofsuspensionofelectedchairmenwithoutimmediatemechanismtoinvestigateandactaccordinglytoensuretheyreturnbacktoofficeifclearedorsupplementaryelectionisdonetoreplacethemiffoundguiltyofanycrimeisamajorconcern. HealthIssues: CivilSocietyforHIV/AIDSinNigeria(CiSHAN)markedworldaidsdayincollaborationwithKogiStateAgencyfortheControlofAids(KOSACA),CenterforIntegratedHealthProject(CIHP)alongsideotherImplementingPartners(IPs)inthestate.Theepilepticfundingofhealthprogramsinstatestillremainachallenge,thecelebrationofWorldAidsDay(WAD)wasnotproperlyfundedbythestateandtheunusualincreaseinpublichealthchallengessuchasTBwithmorecasesofXDRinthestate,thestateministryofhealthbyextensionthestategovernmentshouldasamatterofurgencycomeupwithstrategiestostemtheravagingTBacrossthestate.CivilSocietygroupswithinthereportingquartermadefranticefforts,mobilized,sensitizedcommunitymembersandobtainedthousandsofsputumsamplestobeanalysedbythestatemanagedGeneXpertsites.WeappreciatetherecentappointmentofExecutiveSecretary(ES)fortheKogiStateAgencyfortheControlofAids(KOSACA),meanwhiletheboardoftheagencyisyettobeappointedandinauguratedforproperfunctioning. Withinthereportingquarter,three(3)CivilSocietyOrganizations(CSOs)inthestatepartneredwiththestategovernmenttoensurepropersensitizationandmobilizationofcitizensacrossthestatetotakeuptheirCOVID-19vaccination.Theorganizationscarriedoutseriesofadvocacyvisitsandorganizedsensitizationworkshopsforstakeholdersacrossthestate.Weareindeedgladthatfinallywearemakingprogressatde-sensitizingkogitesoftheinitialmythsthatCOVID-19isnotreal. AgriculturalInterventionIssues: Asusual,lessthan30%ofbudgetaryallocationforministryofAgriculturewasexpendedin2021,lotsofactivitiesplannedfortheyearasprovidedintheagriculturalbudget2021sufferedlackofimplementation,therainsaregone,the2021budgetcyclehasended.AllthisanomaliesinthemanagementofKogiStateAgriculturalsectorwillcontinuetoposeseriouschallengefortheStateintermsofFoodSecurityandwell-beingofthecitizens. TheKogiStateBudgetCommitteeGroup(BCG)ledbyMr.MatthiasA.Okpanachireviewed,analysedandx-rayedtheKogiState2022ApprovedbudgetonhowtheStateAgriculturalsectorisbeingfundedandpositionedforgrowth;assuch,creatingemploymentfortheteemingyouth,meetingthedomesticfoodrequirementsandgeneratingforeignrevenuethroughtheexportofqualityprocessedagriculturalcommodities.Theoutcomeoftheanalysisshowsthattheallocationtotheagriculturalsectorisgrosslyinadequateandinsensitivetocurbinginsecuritythroughagriculture.Lessthan5%of#145.8Billionhasbeenbudgetedtofeedover4millionKogitesin2022withaverybadrecordoffundsreleasetothesectorovertheyears. Itwillberecalledthatthenewdirectionblueprintofthecurrentadministrationstatesthat“basedonprevailingeconomicrealities,AgricultureisthekeytounlockingtheenormouseconomicpotentialsofKogiState”.ItalsopromisedthattheGovernmentwillboosttheAgriculturesectoranditsvaluechainasaprofitableStatestimulatedventureandencourageorganizedbusinessenterprisetoleaddevelopmentofAgricultureintheState.TheGovernorofKogiState,AlhajiYahayaAdozaBellowhilstdeclaringastateofemergencyinAgriculturetoboostfoodproductionanddiversifytheState’seconomyinJanuary2017promisedtomakefarmersintheStateespeciallywomenfarmersrichandthatthegovernmenthavestrategizesandplansinplacetorevolutioniseAgriculturebygivingnecessarysupporttofarmersinformofloans,land,cooperativesandotherrelevantassistance.WeputthequestiontohisExcellency,howcanwerevolutionizetheagriculturalsectorofKogistatewithlessthan20%budgetaryallocationreleasesoutof6.58%budgetaryallocationtotheagriculturalsectorin2021asatAugust2021andlessthan5%budgetaryallocationforyear2022.Arewebetterof,intermsoffoodproductioninthestateafterfour(4)yearsofthepromise?Dowehaveaffordableagriculturalproduceinthestatenow? EducationSector: WecongratulatethestaffandmanagementofConfluenceUniversityofScienceandTechnology(CUSTECH),OsaraKogiStateforhersuccessfulmatriculationofthefirstsetofstudents.WeappreciatetheExecutiveGovernorfortheforesight,congratulations. Withinthereportingperiod,theCivilSocietyActionCoalitiononEducationforAll(CSACEFA)lamentedthecontinuousreductiononthequalityofbasiceducationinthestate,hingedonnon-paymentoffullsalariestobasiceducationteachersacrosslocalgovernmentareasofthestateandnon–maintenanceofbasicschoolinfrastructuresdespitehavinginplaceelectedchairmenacrossthestate.Thecoalitionlooksforwardtoamicablewaystobeadoptedbyrelevantauthoritiestosolvethispuzzlewhichhasthecapabilityofcripplingthestatebasiceducationsectorwhichservesasthefoundationforallformsofeducation. SocialWelfareIssues: ThereportedincreaseinrapecasesacrossthestatecallsforaseriousconcernbearinginmindthattheKogiStateHouseofAssemblygraciouslypassedtheViolenceAgainstPersonsProhibition(VAPP)billoverthree(3)monthsago,yettheExecutiveGovernorhasnotassentedthebill.Thisserveasriskfactortotheuniversalcallfortheprotectionofhumanrights,KogiStatecannotaffordtobeonwrongsideofhistoryinhumanrightsprotection. FederationofWomenLawyers(FIDA)KogiStatewithinthereportingquartermadeahugeprogressincivilresolutionofdomesticviolence,womenabuseandchildcustodycasesacrossthestate,whilestillpursuingotherscasesincourt.TheyhavealsogoneaheadtolaunchamentorshipprogramatSalemUniversitytotrainlawstudentsonFIDAinterventionconcepts.Markingthe202116daysactivismagainstgenderbasedviolence,theyproducedchildfriendlyversionofthestateChildRightsLaw(CRL)andaswellcarriedoutroadshowsandcampaignsagainstgenderbasedviolence. PoliticalEnvironment: TheactivitiesofCoalitiononCivicEducation(CCE)inKogiStatehavespuruptheneedforcreatingspecialtrustfundtosupportwomeninpoliticsacrossthestate.ThisrenewedagitationhasalwaysbeenaimedatensuringthatwomenareempoweredtoovercomethesocialandeconomicbarriersinourneolithicpoliticalspaceofKogiState.OnKogiandOkenelocalgovernmentchairmencurrentlyonsuspension,theoutcomeoftheinvestigationshouldbemadepublicsotherightstepsaretakeneithertheyreturnbacktotheirpositionifnosubstantialwrongdoinghasbeenestablishedagainstthemorconductsupplementaryelectiontofilltheposition,wecannotaffordtogobacktotheideaofappointinglocalgovernmentadministratorinthenameofacting,notagain.KONGONETspecificallycallonthegoodcitizensofthestatetojoininthedecisionmakingarenaanddevelopthestate,wecannotaffordtoallstayaloofwhilethosewhoneverreallyhadthedevelopmentalinterestofthestatefindthemselvesadministeringthestate.Wecallonyoualltojoindevelopmentalpoliticsandsanitizethesystem. Infrastructure: TherehasbeenanoticeableimprovementinthequalityofroadsintheStatecapitalLokoja.However,thelevelofworkattheGanajaflyoverisbecomingacauseofworrytoCitizens,especiallythehealthandeconomicchallengesthatthepersistenton-goingconstructioniscausing.TheGovernmenthasalwaysinsistedonDecember31st2021asthecompletionandcommissioningdate,butfromfactsonground,thisdateisnolongertenableandthereissilenceonthepartofthegovernmentonthis. ThereisalsotheissueofTransparencyintheexecutionoftheroadprojectsastherearenoinformationboardsonthecosts,andcompaniesimplementingthisconstruction.Alsotenderingofthepublicprojects,whichisarequirementoftheFiscalresponsibilityLawandthePublicProcurementLaw,isshroudedinmystery. Recommendations: NeedfortheStateGovernmenttoappointandinaugurateboardmembersforKogiStateAgencyfortheControlofAids(KOSACA),toimprovecoordinationoftheStateHIVResponse. Thatthestategovernmentensurethebudgetaryallocationtotheministryofagricultureisreleasedtimelytopreventthestatefromslidingintomajorfoodcrisis,andalsospecialattentionbegiventowomenfarmersacrossthestate. NeedfortheStateintheshortrun,toincreaserecruitmentofVigilantesinhighcrimerateareastocomplimenttheservicesoftheNigerianSecurityAgenciesandimprovetheSecurityoflivesandproperties. NeedforaconciseandstrategicapproachtoaddressingDrugAbuseandCultismamongtheyouths. MinistryofWomenAffairsandSocialDevelopmenttopartnerwithMinistryofJusticetowardsestablishmentandoperationalizationofSexOffenderRegisterinKogiState. NeedforasustainablemechanismforimprovingCitizenParticipationandengagementintheelectoralprocessestodeepenAccountabilityandTransparencyinGovernance. NeedfortheGovernortoAssenttotheVAPPBillwhichhasbeenpassedbytheKogiStateHouseofAssemblyorinthealternativestatehisreasonsfornotaccenting. IncreaseallocationandreleaseoffundstotheAgricultureBudgetbyvirementofresourcesfromtheGovernor’sOffice(AllowancesIncidentaltoGovernor’sTravel). NeedforurgentcompletionandpublicdeclarationonthecostoftheGanajaFlyoverprojecttobuildconfidenceofcitizensinGovernmenthandlingofpublicresources. Weurgethestategovernmenttohastenupandcompleteallrehabilitationworkscurrentlyongoingacrossthestate,mostimportantlytherehabilitationofKogiStateSpecialistHospital,Lokoja. Wecongratulateandwelcomethenewcommissionerofpolice(CPEdwardEgbuka)tothestate,weurgehimtobringonboardtherequiredleadershipskillstocoordinatesecurityapparatusinthestateandensurethesafetyoflivesandpropertiesofKogites. Inconclusion: KogiNGOsNetwork(KONGONET)willconsistentlysupportlaudableinitiativesofgovernmenttoamelioratethesufferingofKogitesandensurethestateupholdsthetenetsofdemocracyandfairplayinheradministrationofourcollectiveresources.KONGONETshallcontinuetoengagethestategovernmentontheadoptionandimplementationofOpenGovernmentPartnership(OGP). God Bless Kogi State. IdrisOzoveheMuraina Mrs.HenryHellen Chairperson,KONGONET Secretary,KONGONET TheExecutiveDirectorof…

SEASON’S GREETINGS Allah has always be very gracious to every Nigerian in all ways especially with Him marching us through 2021 and now witnessing the beginning of 2022. All appreciation goes to Allah for sparing our lives to see today in good health and in high spirit. I wish to celebrate with President Muhammadu Buhari,…

GOODWILL MESSAGE FROM HON. ATULE EGBUNU , MEMBER REPRESENTING IBAJI STATE CONSTITUENCY   I Hon Atule Egbunu a member representing the entire people of Ibaji State Constituency  at the state House of Assembly, whole heartedly thank God Almighty for given me and my entire family members the privilege of life and good health through out…