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My installation, act of God, Gov. Yahaya Bello, God-sent – Ohimege

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***Decries almost 12 years of injustice, denial

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

The newly installed Ohimege Igu of Koton-Karfe Kingdom in Kogi State, Dr Saidu Akawu Salihu has described his installation and ascension of the throne as divine intervention through Governor Yahaya Bello, to correct a “monumental wrong” of over 12 years.

His Royal Majesty, Saidu Akawu Salihu, the 27th Ohimege, disclosed this during his installation and presentation of Staff of Office by Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello on Wednesday at his palace in Koton-Karfe.

The traditional ruler thanked God for the opportunity to serve his people and commended Governor Bello for his boldness in righting a “monumental wrong” and subversion of justice meted to him in the past through political manipulation.

He said that selection of the Ohimege had always been an unambiguous tradition and his selection was not an exception as went ahead to chronicle the process of his selection for the Ohimege stool and his endorsement by all relevant stakeholders in April, 2012.

“On the 14th May, 2012, the Lokoja/ Kogi-Koton-Karfe Area Traditional Council also endorsed my selection; the state Council of Chiefs finally endorsed the report before it was submitted to the then State Governor, Alhaji Idris Wada at the Lugard house.

“A politically induced committee was put in place and the result was a subversion of our cherished tradition and due process.

“As a fervent believer in the wish of Allah and a strong advocate of peaceful co-existence, I resolved not to challenge the action in court but to leave everything in the Hands of Allah, the Disposer of all affairs.

“I thank Allah for seeing this day and thank the government of Kogi State under the able leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for the boldness in righting a monumental wrong.

“By this singular action he has saved our well cherished age long traditional institution from public ridicule and prevented the rubbishing of the decision of our kingmakers”, he said.

The Royal Father noted that Koton-Karfe kingdom has direct border with the Federal Capital Territory yet, has a near zero Federal presence.

He therefore appealed to the Federal government to take advantage of the peace, security and the physical location of Koton-Karfe Kingdom to locate prominent parastatals and institutions in the Kingdom.

Akawu called on sons and daughters of the kingdom at home and in the diaspora, to be united and promote the collective values and cultural antecedents to ensure the continuous growth of the kingdom.

“In conclusion, I promise to serve with Humility, Integrity and Dedication and to uphold the tradition and values of our kingdom. I will be a listening ear, a strong advocate and a bridge builder.

“My doors will always be open and your voices will always be heard. With your support and the grace of Allah, I am confident that we will create a future filled with pride, harmony and boundless opportunities”, he said.

HRM Salihu, the new Ohimege who was appointed on 8th January, 2024, was born on 11th March, 1964. He is the 27th Ohimege Igu of Koton-Karfe; from Odaki Rulling House and belongs to the 8th generation of Ohimege Ohetenye Family lineage. (Ends)

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News From Kogi

E-Birth Enrollment: NPC registers 185,307 children in Kogi

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***Urges parents on quick response to meet target

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

The National Population Commission (NPC), Kogi State Office, on Thursday said it has so far registered a total of 185,307 children under the E-birth enrollment in the state ahead of the December 31, 2024 target.

Abiodun Ojo, Kogi Director of the Commission disclosed this at a Press Conference to showcase the level of response and compliance with the E-Birth Enrollment on Thursday in Lokoja.

The press conference organised by the Kogi State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) as part of its collaborative efforts with the NPC, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and the National Identify Management Commission, (NIMC).

Ojo hinted that the collaboration was aimed at enabling dissemination of needed information on the E-Birth project.

The State Director who was represented by Mrs Omattah Ralie, Head of Vital Registration of the NPC assured that the office would be able to conclude the E-Birth registration exercise in the state by December this year in line with the UNICEF deadline.

The NPC Director appealed to parents who are yet to avail their children of the opportunity of the E-Birth Registration to do so without further delay as the deadline for the exercise is close by.

“E-Birth registration exercise is free hence the more reason why parents should be encouraged to make their children available for the enrollment”, Ojo advised.

The State Director identified parental resistance especially in capturing of their children faces, nonchalant attitude or absenteeism and making their children unavailable for the exercise as a major challenges identified so far.

Speaking earlier, Mr Patrick Edogbanya, Acting State Director of National Orientation Agency, Kogi Directorate, on behalf of his Director General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, noted that the E-BIRTH registration has been on in the last three years.

He explained that the project was being funded by UNICEF, an international donor agency to ensure easier headcount of children world over.

“The National Orientation Agency’s role on the project is to embark on massive sensitization of Nigerians to enable them know what to do to embrace the scheme

“Our sensitization efforts via the use of the Media is a continuous one. So far we have been able to Flagg Off our sensitization and awareness creation on the E-BIRTH registration in ten local government areas of Kogi state” Edogbaya disclosed.

Also speaking, Jeminiwa Olusegun, Assistant Chief Identity Officer of the National Identify Management Commission (NIMC), Kogi State, revealed that 120 million Nigerians out of the expected 300 million population have been captured under the ongoing identification Programme for the nation’s citizens.

According to him, the e-registration Programme is a global practice aimed at enhancing accuracy, security and efficiency in the system (Ends)

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Kogi Assembly tasks Env. Min. on mitigating ecological disasters

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***Calls for short, long-term measures to tackle ecological challenges

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

KOGI House of Assembly has tasked the State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to immediately undertake on-the-spot assessment of Local Government Areas affected by ecological disasters across the state, with a view to proffering solutions.

The directive was contained in a resolution of the House issued at plenary in Lokoja following the adoption of a motion on Urgent Public Importance moved by Hon. Eneve Yusuf Zakari (APC-Okene II, Hon. Eneve Yusuf Zakari.

The motion had urged the State Government to address the serious ecological challenges visited on communities in Abuga Ozuga ward of Okene LGA by Okuhua Obanyi River.

Zakari disclosed that the Okuhua Obanyi River in Okene Local Government Area has become a source of severe ecological challenges, significant degradation and devastation to the communities on its course.

He added that it was a known fact that the river which originates from Onchiehe causes wide spread damages through the neighbouring communities to Adavi-Eba in Adavi Local Government Area.

The legislator pointed out that the river had already brought down houses and infrastructures such as the fence of Selfudeen LSMB Primary School, Egeze, just as it has eroded more than a quarter of the landmass of the school.

The Legislator expressed fears that if urgent interventions were not carried out before the next raining season, the river would cause more destructions, deaths and loss of properties.

Hon. Zakari therefore prayed the House to call on the state government to urgently deploy resources and expertise to address the ecological challenges posed by Okuhua Obanyi River in the Abuga/Ozuja Ward of Okene Local Government Area .

He also prayed government to provide relief and support for the affected communities and as well, encourage collaboration between the State and Federal Governments and the Ecological Fund Office to mobilize resources to address the challenge.

Hon. Zakariaya Otokiti (APC-Okehi) seconded the motion while the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Comfort Ojoma Nwuchiola Egwaba in contribution thanked the mover of the motion and called for an amendment to one if the prayers.

She held that other LGAs suffering same fate should be aggregated and subsumed under the prayer to read “All the LGAs that have ecological challenges”, pointing out that an injury to one is an injury to all.

Ruling on the motion, Speaker of the House Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf adopted the amendment to one of the prayers and subjected the motion to voice votes which got a unanimous “Ayes” approval.

Speaker Yusuf thereafter directed Clerk of the House, Alhaji Ahmed Chogudo to convey the House Resolution to the appropriate quarters for implementation. (Ends)

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News From Kogi

Senator Echocho Provides Solar-Powered Borehole to End Water Scarcity in Olubo-Ojo Community

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Residents of Olubo-Ojo in Kogi East Senatorial District have rejoinced following Senator Isah Jibrin Echocho’s commissioning of a solar-powered borehole, to address the community’s long-standing water challenges and improving access to clean water.
The Olubo-Ojo community in Kogi East Senatorial District erupted in celebration recently following commissioning of a motorized solar-powered borehole by Senator Isah Jibrin Echocho which had provided a lasting solution to their prolonged water scarcity.

The project, one of several boreholes facilitated by the senator across the nine local government areas of the senatorial district, marked a significant milestone in efforts to improve access to clean water in the region.
Residents expressed their joy and appreciation for the initiative, describing the borehole as a transformative development that will enhance sanitation, reduce waterborne diseases, and ease the daily struggle of fetching water from distant sources.

Community leader, Chief Adejo Onuh, thanked Senator Echocho for his dedication to addressing the pressing needs of the people, adding, “This project will significantly improve the quality of life for everyone in our community.”

Senator Echocho, while addressing the gathering, reaffirmed his commitment to delivering essential services to his constituents. “Access to clean water is a basic necessity, and I am determined to ensure that every community in Kogi East benefits from initiatives that promote health and development,” he stated.

The borehole commissioning is part of the senator’s broader agenda to tackle critical infrastructure deficits in the senatorial district, including healthcare, education, and rural electrification projects.

Residents have pledged to maintain the facility to ensure its sustainability and lasting impact on the community.

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