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Marketers Laud DPR Presence in
Kogi
Representatives of Petroleum Marketers in Kogi State have applauded
the Federal Government for establishing the Department of Petroleum
Resources (DPR) in Lokoja, the state capital.
Messers Suleiman Yakubu and Sunday Olatunji who represented Kogi
East and West at the meeting of marketers, made their heart felt joy
known during an interactive meeting held in Lokoja.
Mr. Yakubu noted that their members have suffered untold hardship
traveling to DPR Office in Ilorin to present issues affecting them.
He maintained that the establishment of the office would ease the
business of distributing petroleum products in the state.
Olatunji on his part called on DPR and Price Monitoring Agents to
always work with the petroleum marketers as partners in progress. He
assured the DPR of the co-operation of their members in working for
easy distribution of petroleum products in Kogi State.
Earlier, the representative of the Director of DPR, Mr. Amos
Jokodola, called on the marketers to abide by laid down procedures
in carrying out their businesses. He declared that DPR would
continue to monitor their activities in the state.
Mr. Jokodola also assured them that as soon as some logistics are
put in place, the DPR office would take-off in Lokoja. He commended
Governor Ibrahim Idris for providing an office and land for the
take-off of the department.
Global Fund Gingers NGOs into Action
The hope of orphans and vulnerable children in Kogi State brightened
last week when Global Fund Project in collaboration with the Federal
Ministry of Women Affairs made available fund and materials to
relevant Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the state.
Kogi State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development,
Mrs. Ruth Iyaji, who disbursed the fund and materials, explained
that the gesture is meant to take care of education, health,
economic empowerment and psychological needs of children and urged
all the beneficiaries to make judicious use of them for the purpose
intended.
According to her, the children are entitled to special attention
care and support to enable them realise their potentials and sense
of belonging in the society.
Earlier, the Desk Officer of the Orphan and Vulnerable Children of
the Ministry, Mrs. Solami Okibe, explained that the disbursement of
fund is done annually and urged the NGOs to manage it well for the
sake of the children.
She advised the NGOs to forward all receipts of expenditures to the
Ministry for proper record.
Mrs. Elizebeth Okpanachi of Godswill Orphanage, Anyigba, on behalf
of the beneficiaries promised to use the fund and materials for the
purpose intended.
Ex-Justice Minister Reinforces Govt’s Vision on Community
Policing
The donation of three new blocks of buildings for Okaba Police
Station in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State by Dr.
Abdullahi Ibrahim (SAN) would complement the mission and vision of
the Federal Government to reposition the Police Force for effective
performance in the country.
Governor Ibrahim Idris made the comment at Okaba while commissioning
the project embarked upon by former Attorney-General and Minister of
Justice, Dr. Ibrahim (SAN), as a private initiative to providing
accommodation to policemen posted to the area.
He lauded the patriotic zeal of the legal luminary, saying it would
provide a conducive atmosphere for the police, as his administration
would continue to assist Kogi State Police Command to protect lives
and property. He donated a Toyota Hilux van for Okaba police station
in addition to the provision of a borehole within the new barracks
to avert acute shortage of portable water.
Governor Idris also commissioned a new police post at Ojokwu which
was built by the Honourable Member representing Ankpa II in the
State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdullahi Zakari.
In his speech, Dr. Abdullahi Ibrahim (SAN), reassured Governor Idris
that he would not relent to partner with his administration in its
effort to transform the state, recalling that his family had earlier
built primary and secondary schools for Okaba community.
The Chairman of Ankpa Local Government Area, Hon. Vincent Baba,
challenged wealthy indigenes of the local government to emulate the
philanthropic gestures of Dr. Ibrahim (SAN) and Hon. Zakari.
While congratulating the people of Okaba and Ojokwu communities, the
Chairman urged them to co-operate with the police in their fight
against criminal activities.
State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibezimako Aghanya, appreciated the
philanthropic gestures which he said would spur police officers in
Okaba and Ojokwu to active service.
Police Arrest Terrors of Ogori/Magongo land
Two suspected armed robbery suspects who disguised as church
Ministers to perpetrate their heirious activities, have been
arrested in Akpafa, headquarter of Ogori/Magongo Local Government
Area of Kogi State.
Impeccable sources close to the police in Akpafa, disclosed that the
two men who were dressed on white flowing garments reminiscent of
the attires of the Celestial and Cherubim and Seraphim sects, were
arrested by the Divisional Police Officer in the area Carolina
Onyeka Afegbaiye.
It was gathered that the two suspects were arrested on Thursday
morning when the DPO who was on her way to Ogori from Magongo saw
the two suspects who were dressed in white flowing garments and
moving in strange and questionable manners coupled with the strange
swellings on all sides of their movements arrested them.
Our source gathered that the DPO who noticed something strange in
the appearance and movements of the two suspects was suspicious and
consequently drove back and put them to questions, but the suspects
failed her test.
We learnt that on subjecting the suspects to scrutiny and further
questioning, it was discovered that the protruding portions of their
dressings were littered with guns and strange charms and apparently
in a mission which they have since refused to disclosed.
At the police station, we further gathered that the suspects kept
mum and refused to disclose their missions even under interrogation.
However, it was gathered that the duo who have been transferred to
the police headquarters Lokoja include Samson Olugbonyega from Ogori
and Balogun Ajayi from Ikare in Ondo State.
At Akpafa, the Chairman of the LGA, Hon. Gabriel Daudu was said to
have travelled to Abuja but the Secretary to the LGA, Mr. Femi
Obajulu who spoke to The Graphic confirmed the story of the arrest
but said the two suspects before their transfer to Lokoja kept mum
and did not disclose to police their nefarious missions
At the police headquarters in Lokoja the PPRO was said to have been
attending a meeting with the State Police Commissioner when
contacted.
Editor Warns Practitioners on Harmful Media Content
Media practitioners and organisations have again been advised to be
conscious of the content of what they sell-out to the people in
order to have a society devoid of moral decadence especially among
the young folks.
Mr. Donatus Okpe gave the advice while delivering a lecture at a
seminar on “The Role of the Media in Youths Development”, organized
by a corps member, Anastasia Okolie.
Mr. Okpe, who is also the Editor, The Graphic newspaper, described
the media as a very powerful and indispensable organ of the society,
saying that “they influence our conduct, the totality of our life.
They dictate the food we eat, what you wear and where you go to”.
The media, according to the seasoned journalist, contribute to
youths development because in most cases they help to choose a
career for the youths.
While advising the youths and people generally to be less receptive
to harmful programmes that can negatively influence their moral
values, the editor also challenged the youths to cultivate the habit
of reading and listening to motivational programmes. This, he said,
remains the only vital way of getting information which they would
need to live a purpose-driven life.
In his remark, the chairman of the occasion who is also the Kogi
State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Tom Ohikere, lauded the
corps member for organizing the programme for the youths. The
Commissioner, who was represented by the Director of Information in
the Ministry, Pastor James Adedoyin, said the media has primary
social responsibility to the society, adding that journalism remains
the only profession that Nigerian constitution empowers to make
government accountable to the people.
Speaking through the Public Relations Officers, National Youths
Service Corps (NYSC), Kogi State, Mr. Maxwell Isa, the state NYSC
co-ordinator, Barrister Gabriel Ibe also commended the corps member
for organizing the programme as her personal Community Development
Service (CDS), which he described as one of the four cardinal
programmes of NYSC scheme.
In her remark, the organizer of the seminar, Anastasia Okolie, who
is also a corps member serving with Kogi State Broadcasting
Corporation, Lokoja, said she was motivated to organize the seminar
to help the youths understand the roles the media can play in the
development of their future.
Town Planners Gets New Exco
The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) Kogi State Chapter,
has elected new executives to pilot its affairs in the next one
year.
The election that took place recently in Lokoja saw TPL John Shuaibu,
emerged as the chairman, TPL E.A. Odaudu, (Vice Chairman) TPL
(Prince) Ayo Obafemi, (Secretary) Mr. Akin Ajagbe, (Asst. Secretary)
Mrs. Rekiya Ibrahim (Treasurer) and Mr. Yisah Aliyu, (Financial
Secretary)
Other Executive members elected are TPL. David Igunumaiye, (Social
Secretary/PRO) and Mallam Kenchi Umar as the Auditor.
Performing the inauguration, TPL Isah Ichaba, Head of Service, who
was represented by Permanent Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Idakwoji urged
the new executive members to see their election as an opportunity to
contribute to the development of the state.
He also charged them to be committed to the cause of the Association
to ensure that it perform its duty effectively.
In his farewell message, the out-going chairman of the Association,
TPL J.K Ipinniwa pointed out that his administration was able to
achieve the success it had recorded because the members of the
Association were cooperative.
TPL Ipinniwa also encouraged members to consistently upgrade
themselves by attending seminar, workshops and get involved in
research “since that has been the keys to globalisation and town
planners must not be left behind”, he added.
In his post-election speech, the chairman elect, TPL John Shuaibu
noted that the year ahead would witnessed a great development of the
association.
He called on all Town Planners in the state to be courageous to
project the good image of the organization.
He pointed out that part of the previous achievement of Town
Planners in Kogi State which he intend to build on include the
opening up of the feeders road in Lokoja metropolis so as to ease
congestions especially around Ganaja Junction area of the City.
The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of plague to the
Head of Service, TPL Isah Ichaba by the Hon. Commissioner for
Environment and Physical Development, Hon Mohammed Sule for his
noble contribution to the association both at the state and national
level.
The Consequences of Defection is Fatal-Gov IdrisTell Pilgrims
Kogi State Muslim Pilgrims for this year’s Hajj have been advised to
use the opportunity to fulfill their spiritual obligation rather
than erroneously taken it as an opportunity for defection.
Governor Ibrahim Idris gave the admonition in Lokoja during a
farewell message to the pilgrims before their departure to Mecca,
emphasizing that they should project the good image of the state
while in the Holy land.
The governor equally urged the pilgrims to embrace honesty in their
relationship with fellow pilgrims, just as he implored them to pray
for the continued peace and unity of the state.
He lauded the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for the adequate
preparation put in place to ensure early airlifting of State
pilgrims to Mecca.
Chairman of the Board, Alhaji Danjuma Ibrahim, in his speech,
remarked that 925 pilgrims are performing this year’s hajj from the
State as against the 730 last year and commended the state
government for the sustained annual increase.
Alhaji Danjuma Ibrahim promised to repeat last year’s feat as one of
the best three states in the country in terms of organization,
operation, management and discipline.
The Admiral Hajj for 2008, Eje Dekina, Alhaji Usman Obaje pledged
that the State pilgrims would not breach any law while in the holy
land.
Alhaji Ahmed Passes on
It was a mourning day in Ajaokuta village in Ajaokuta Local
Government Area of Kogi State when an illustrious son of the
community, Alhaji Ahmed Bello passed on to glory.
Aged 55, Alhaji Bello died on December 25, 2007. He was a former
supervisory Councilor in-charge of Education in Ajaokuta Local
Government.
A Statement signed by Hon. Mrs. Aminat Ele Ahmed for the family
added that a memorial prayer for the peaceful repose of the deceased
is being planned for December 25, 2008 at his residence in Ajaokuta.
The late Alhaji Bello, the statement also added, is survived by a
wife, children and relatives.
Alhaji Ahmed Bello
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