The Reflection

2022: The New Year Holds a lot of promises, Capt. Timi Iyela congratulates Fellow Constituents. … Says Constituents should Prepare for Glory Top contender and frontrunner for 2023 Okene/Ogori Magongo Federal Constituency seat, Captain Timi Iyela has written fellow Okene/Ogori Magongo constituents on the exigencies of the times and the need for the constituency to…

2016 – 2022: THE SUCCESS STORY AND TASKS BEFORE US Today 1st January 2022 marks the beginning of new calendar year, also makes it almost six years I was elected to represent the good people of Ankpa 1 state constituency. Conscious of the responsibility of my office, i had no doubt the task ahead would…

AbdulRazaq greets Kwarans on New Year By Steve Oni, Ilorin Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has congratulated residents of the state and Nigerians on the new calendar year, 2022, reassuring them of his administration’s continuous focus on projects and programmes that boost inclusive growth, reduce poverty, and create a better environment for sustainable job opportunities…

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…