The Reflection

NEW YEAR FELICITATIONS FROM KOGI POLY RECTOR On behalf of the Governing Council, Management, Staff and Students of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, I heartily felicitate with the Kogi State Polytechnic Community, the good people of Kogi State and other well meaning Nigerians, on the auspicious celebration of the New Year, 2022. I specially felicitate with…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

*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…

KOGI AT 30: THE MAKING OF A STATE As humanity bids the year 2021 farewell and heralds a new year 2022, we present to the general public our latest publication, KOGI AT 30, a timeless compendium and a classic addition to the existing literature on Kogi State. In December 2020, an assemblage of professionals of…

Enter the New Year 2022 with Optimism and a Positive Disposition. -Archbishop Martins Urges Nigerians The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr Alfred Adewale Martins has enjoined Nigerians to be optimistic and to embrace a positive mind-set as they enter the New Year 2022, filled with renewed trust in God Almighty. In his New…

OSTAS Mourns Death Of Olori Florence Mejedi, Wife Of Late Paramount Ruler of Orokere By Stephen Adeleye Orokere-Amuro, December 31, 2021 The Orokere Students Association (OSTAS) in Orokere Amuro, Mopamuro Local Government Area, has expressed sadness over the sudden death of Olori Florence Mejedi, the wife of the late Ajugbonjagun of Orokere Amuro, Oba Jacob…