LG Boss Commends NULGE
MEMBERS of the Ankpa Local Government Chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) have been commended for employing consistency and commitment in the discharge of their duties.
The remark was made by the Local Government Area Chairman, Honourable Vincent Baba, during the celebration of the second year anniversary of NULGE Executives at the Council, recently.
Hon. Baba who also charged them to be more dedicated and loyal in carrying out their assignments, promised that he would be receptive to their needs.
In his words: “ I promise to be receptive to the needs of the staff during the period of my administration by providing all the financial benefits and entitlement that accrued to them.”
Kogi State NULGE Chairman, Comrade Tom Abutu, in his speech, commended the council’s administration for the demonstration of peace and harmony among staff, while advising the council boss to keep up the good work.
Responding, the council chairman of NULGE, Comrade Kayode Sule, thanked Hon. Baba for his Charismatic and pragmatic leadership styles. He therefore reiterated his rededication to ensuring that the members of staff attain the desired attitude for development.

Madam Mary Laid to Rest
THE remain of late Madam Mary Ajumi Omale has been laid to rest at her ancestral home, Okaba-Efiwo in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Aged 103, she was until her demise a faithful member of Cherubim and Seraphim Church Movement, Auke in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.
In his sermon at the funeral ceremony, Pastor Haruna Joseph Inalegwu described death as a call that must be answered by all mortals, hence the need to embrace genuine repentance to attain eternal glory.
On his part, Dr. Anthony Omale, a senior lecturer with Kogi State College of Education , Ankpa, and son of the deceased, described her as a role model and a pillar of strength for the family and community whose contributions would be greatly missed by all.
Madam Omale, , who died after a protracted illness, was a community and religious leader who left behind four children.

Owotogbe Extols late Oba
THE late Olu of Aiyetoro-Gbede, Oba Johnson O. Akanmode, has been described as a gift from God to Ijumu Local Government and Aiyetoro Community in particular, whose legacies would continue to speak for him even in death.
The Chairman of Ijumu Local Government Area , Hon. Joseph Owotogbe made this assertion at the funeral of the late Oba which came up recently in Aiyetoro-Gbede.
The council boss who said he was deeply touched by the demise of Olu of Aiyetoro, stated that the contributions of Oba Akanmode to the well-being, socio-cultural and political development of Ijumuland and Aiyetoro in particular, could be overemphasized.
“The government and people of Ijumu remained grateful to Almighty God for the gift of Baba to our local government in terms of wisdom, peace and tranquility as well as good leadership qualities witnessed during his lifetime on the throne,” Owotogbe added.

Chairperson Lays Emphasis on Child Healthcare
The need for parents to handle the health care nededs of their children and wards has been stressed.
The Chairperson of Igalamema/Odolu Local Government Area, Mrs. Pauline Aba, made the call while flagging off a child de-worming exercise held at the Local Government Secretariat, Ajaka.
Mrs. Aba stated that the free distribution of the albendazole tablets and syrup would not be limited to the local government headquarters as arrangements have been concluded to ensure that the drugs get to all the local government clinics for easy accessibility for the people at the grassroots.
She urged parents to take advantage of the opportunity to de-worm their children, as the health of the children is very important.
The Chairperson thanked the state First Lady, Hajia Zainab Idris, for augmenting the supply of the drugs to the local government councils in the state which she noted is a demonstration of the latter’s concern for the health of the children.
She used the occasion to distribute gift items to physically challenged people in the community, and urged them to realize that there is ability in disability.
The chairman of the local government area, Hon. Enest Aba, assured that his administration would continue to execute projects and programmes that have direct bearings on the well-being of the people of the area.
The branch chairman of the association of the disabled, Mr. Paul Abuka Odiniya, thanked the chairperson for the donation, saying the disabled in the area have fared better during her administration.
-Samuel Ilani, Igalamela/Odolu


Fmr NIWA Board Member Lauds FG Over Refinery
The Federal Government has been commended for approving the siting of a Greenfield Refinery in Kogi State.
Former Chairman of Idah Local Government Area and former Board member of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Chief Adama Abu Okpanachi made the commendation in a chat with The Graphic in Idah, recently.
According to Okpanachi, the siting of the refinery would create job opportunities for young school leavers as well as boost socio-economic activities of the state.
While commending governor Ibrahim Idris for providing land for the refinery at Itobe in Ofu Local Government Area, he appealed to those kicking against its location to have a rethink, as every part of the state needs to feel Federal Government presence.
He noted that the proposed refinery is not the only Federal Government project in Kogi State and urged all stakeholders to support the project for the interest of the state. - Samuel Ilani, Idah


Lagos Re-invigorates Fight against Drug Abuse
The Lagos State Government has promised that it would continue to address the challenges of drug abuse in the state in order to sure that its prevention, rehabilitation of drug addicts and harm reduction are carried out in an integrated form rather than mutually exclusive way.
The State Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Sosan, who made the promise, recently in Lagos, during this year’s United Nations Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, said that the state government would embark on continuous public enlightenment campaign against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the state, with emphasis on primary school pupils and students in secondary and tertiary institutions being educated on the inherent dangers of drug abuse.
Sosan stated that government realized that education is a vital weapon in the war against drugs, stressing that school children in particular and the nation would benefit from an effective and preventive drug abuse education in schools.
“It is important for us to educate our children and wards on the dangers of drug abuse and its consequences on the individual, family, society and the nation as a whole. We will not only be saving their lives but we will be ensuring a better tomorrow for them and the nation”, she said.
- Tijani Yakubu, Lagos