***Demand N50m ransom

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja

Gun-wielding hoodlums have abducted three relations of former Daily Trust Editor, Malam Ahmed Tahir Ajobe, few days after the demise of his mother earlier in the week.

The abducted family members of the journalist include one male and two females including Mr Ajobe’s immediate younger sister, Halimtu-Sadiya Tahir.

They were abducted on their way from a nearby community market in Awo, Ankpa local government area of Kogi State, on the deplorable Ankpa-Adoka-Markudi road.

Mr Tahir Ajobe lost his mother, Malama Aishetu Tahir on Sunday after a protracted
illness.

The victims were said to have gone to the market to purchase items for the 7th day prayers for the ace Journalist’s deceased mother when they were kidnapped.

Although the journalist could not be immediately reached for details on the incident, a family friend said their abductors have demanded for N50 million for the release of the victims.

“Yes, three of Ajobe’s family members were kidnapped at gunpoint at about 3:pm on Thursday. The kidnappers reached out on Friday afternoon demanding for N50 million as ransom.

“However, I can’t confirm what the family is offering in the negotiations because I had to leave the community for an emergency in Lokoja.

“What I can say is that no amount has been paid yet and the victims are still in captivity,” he explained.

Williams Aya (SP), Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), William Aya (SP), confirmed the incident, saying that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area, has already deployed his men to the area to ensure the rescue of the victims

Aya said that the Police Commissioner, Bethrand Onuoha has also ordered the drafting of the police tactical team to the area to reinforce the team there.

“Asussuring that everything possible would be done to ensure the safe release of the abducted person and bring the criminals to justice. (Ends)

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja

SPEAKERS of Houses of Assembly from the North-Central Geo-political zone have called on the Federal Government to be decisive in tackling the spate of insecurity in the zone to avoid food food crisis, underdevelopment.

The Speakers from Benue, Kogi, Nassarawa, Niger and Plateau states made the call in a communique arising from resolutions reached at the end of their conference in Lokoja.

The Speakers held that the menacing insecurity threatening existence of the zone had continuously negated development efforts in the North-Central states with negative effects on food security and general development.

“Aware that there cannot be genuine development where there is no peace, we condemn the present state of insecurity in the North Central zone of the country.

“This is because the situation has retarded development in different spheres of endeavour,” they said.

It added that the zone is the food basket of the country and that farmers have not been able to cultivate the land and provide food for the citizens despite the worsening food crisis in the country,

“Farmers/herders clashes have continued unabated, yet, kidnapping has added a more dangerous dimension to the sad situation.”

The Speakers therefore urged the Federal Government to implement effective measures to address the lingering insecurity and crises that have bedeviled the region and stem the tide of the problem crippling the zone and exacerbating the poverty situation of their people.

The Speakers commended the Federal Government for the sustained dualisation of the Keffi-Makurdi and Makurdi to the Eastern Nigeria road projects.

They however, called for increased investment in critical infrastructure such as roads, healthcare facilities, and education to enhance economic development and improve the living standards of citizens.

“We ask that the current Federal Government expedite action on the need to complete the protracted project of the Abuja-Lokoja-Benin Road, the Abuja-Suleija-Minna, the Abuja-Akwanga-Jos Road Projects and other projects linking the North and the south through the North Central Geopolitical Region of the country.”

The Speakers expressed appreciation to their Governors, past and present, and the people of the zone in the enthronement of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu – led government, acknowledging that the North Central region remains the melting point of Nigerian politics.

They therefore emphasized the need for political tolerance for creation of a healthy political atmosphere, inclusivity to reduce political tension and cooperation among stakeholders, while also fostering peaceful coexistence and good governance.

“We are however miffed by the aftermath of the election, vis-a-vis what has become of some of our political leaders, despite their sterling roles in ensuring the victory of the APC – led government.

“We will continue to further our interactions and discussions with other critical stakeholders on this to determine the next cause of action in subsequent political decisions in the interest of our region.

“We have also resolved to continually engage relevant and critical stakeholders while working together to address other challenges facing the region, including economic empowerment, environmental degradation, and social justice.

The North-Central States Assembly Speakers Conference is being chaired by Rt Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh (Atonko u Mbatiav), Speaker of Benue Assembly.

Present at the meeting were Rt Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, the Speaker, Niger State; Rt Hon. Danladi Jatau, Nasarawa; Rt Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf (Badakoshi of Lokoja), Kogi and Rt Hon. Gabriel Dewar, Plateau State. (Ends)

***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)