Kogi Trending News

“A towering intellect and Inspiration”. Descriptions that keep reeling round our mental horizons, as one delve deep into the compelling persona of none other than Chief Pharmacist Abdulkareem Asuku. It’s fair reasoning that challenges and solutions of leadership are inside leaders. This view stands in line with the fact that natural leaders don’t just do things, they change things. Although leadership traits can be developed, certain individuals are, without doubt, born natural leaders. Chief Pharmacist Abdulkareem Asuku falls in this category.

In foresightedness, enthusiasm and dynamism, Asuku has bequeathed many landmark achievements. As a humanitarian, he continues to yield fantastic results especially on his personal health care intervention programmes.

As an epitome of humility and hard-work, serving as Chief of staff with a high sense of responsibility and patriotism flows naturally.

It takes a great divine touch to embark on an ambitious project of this nature, It is only the chosen ones that are responsible and responsive as exhibited by him.

A Pharmacist who takes health care matter of underprivileged and the downtrodden in the society as one of his major priorities. Like the saying goes, “Health is wealth”. Asuku is sacrificing cash, time and emotion even on families without any kind of affiliation. He has continued to strike the posture of a leader on a messianic mission by putting the interests of the common man above partisan niceties. Thus, inspired him in his quest to serve the state with all his strength irrespective of pocket challenges.

Asuku’s greatness cum traits of leadership were evidently noticed in him since from his childhood. His generosity is unequalled, racing through all and sundry, and cutting across all strata. He is an example of born leader.

He turns stumbling blocks into stepping stones. Often mustered the needed courage at every twist and turn of immanent fate, with absolute faith in God to weather the storms. Like raw iron he has been purified through the fires of affliction to assume the inner strength of steel.  He represents a ray of hope for a better tomorrow when Kogi state might rediscovered much on a model of leadership that is no longer blinded by partisan, ethnic, religious, regional and clannish bigotry, and we hope the vicissitudes of politics do not derail him and whose administrative clout remains inscrutable. This qualities as such are true democratic principles, respect for human dignity, justice and equity, egalitarianism, non-sentimental opinions and bravery for humanitarian well-being, and a host of others possessed by Chief Pharmacist Abdulkareem Asuku. A patriot whose political wisdom doesn’t lie on words but his goodwill and positive impacts on people through his humanitarian activities.

Asuku’s commitment, passion, empathy, honesty and integrity always come into play at all times, especially on critical issues in governance. His excellent communication skills and decision-making capabilities also play pivotal roles in the success recorded by the New Direction Government under the leadership of the great baobab tree under which we all shelter.

Asuku has carved a niche for himself by dint of hard-work and discipline, maintaining a charismatic and unblemished leadership style that has endeared him to many Kogites. He exhibits absolute leadership traits of a man committed to doing things differently as it is in a developed and organised climes.

A leader who makes lasting impact in the society and touches lives would never be easily forgotten, especially in health, empowerment via and human capacity building. Quite unlike the ones who took up leadership or live for personal aggrandizement, without doing anything to help the poor and the downtrodden in the society. Though averse to the undue complexities of politics, he is nonetheless passionate about good governance as the bedrock of societal orderliness and oxygen for good, sustainable development which has been his core value.

With his unmatched credentials, Asuku passes easily as intellectually smart. His core belief is, to succeed in public service, one must have acquired a certain level of anger with our failures as a society, and be willing to damn all consequences to change things for the better. Speaks to character element that is almost totally absent in our public service space.

He is satisfied working for the benefit of all and Kogi state in particular. His pursuits for perfection on issues in governace is amazing. No doubt, he has proven good example of exemplary leader. A symbol of care, love and commitment. He brings stellar grandeur and much grace to the office as Chief of staff to Kogi State Governor. He continues to blaze the trail by providing and offering leadership at various levels of governance in serving the people well without relenting. Also providing sound and relevant professional advice to the government at different times. The good people of Kogi state commend your courage in leadership and abiding faith in the ideals of democracy and Kogi project. Inspired by your exemplary leadership quality, dedication to the cause of common man and relentless commitment in helping His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello in adding value to the State’s greatness. You are indeed a pharmacist of repute, an astute politician, patriotic leader and democrat of high standard who has the track records of mentoring and supporting youths to accomplish their dreams.

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The Kogi West Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has declared Sen. Smart Adeyemi winner of the November 16 Election.

The Tribunal in delivering its judgement said the petitioner failed to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt, pointed out that he relied majorly on hear say, consequently rejected all Witnesses the petitioner presented.

The Judge said the petitioner failed to proof his petition by bringing credible Witnesses to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt said the election witnessed substantial compliant.

The Judge in a two hours ruling, said evidences presented by the petitioner were not tenable, consequently declared Sen. Smart Adeyemi winner of the Kogi West Senatorial District Election

Kogi State Independent Election Commission (KOSIEC) has assured political parties that elections into local government councils in the state will hold this year.

The Chairman KOSIEC, Mamman Nda Eri gave the assurance in Lokoja on Tuesday during a pre-election stakeholders meeting with representatives of political parties.

Eri assured parties that the commission is committed to conducting free, fair and credible elections into the local government councils.

“Section 21 of the KOSIEC Law provides that the notice of elections shall be published not less than 90 days before the date of election. The essence of this first stakeholders’ meeting is to seek the consent of all political parties of the state to brainstorm on an agreed date and timetable of events towards the conduct of free and fair elections.

“The council poll will be held this year. Though, the actual date has not been decided, we will issue the actual date to the public in due course as soon as the parties meet, after the first stakeholders meeting and communicate back to KOSIEC.

“I want to allay the fears and erase the wrong perception of some of you about KOSIEC being partisan, particularly from members of the opposition parties in the state. We would therefore, wish to place on record our avowed commitment towards ensuring that there is a level playing field for each and every participant and stakeholder in the forthcoming local government election irrespective of political divide and affiliations.

“The commission shall strictly adhere to best practices in election management and will not perform below the benchmark for excellence in electoral administration.

“This is a new commission I am heading. I want to promise you all that my reputation is at stake. I will guard my work conscientiously not to jeopardize my reputation. I will do all parties right,” he said. 

He urged the political parties to play the game of electioneering according to the rule with a view to ensuring a peaceful, credible, free and fair council polls in the state.

FULL TEXT OF PRESS BRIEFING BY THE KOGI STATE COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS, KINGSLEY FANWO ON MONDAY 8TH JUNE, 2020.

Gentlemen of the Press,

We have called this Press Conference to bring you up to speed on the Covid-19 situation in Kogi State and to further clear the air on our disagreements on some facts and principles with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) over their management of alleged CoviD-19 patients in Kogi State.

It is no more news that the NCDC declared 2 Covid-19 cases for Kogi State on the 27th of May, 2020 in circumstances which the Kogi State Government found herself unable to accept as transparent. It has now gone ahead to build on that false foundation by declaring one more case for the State last week, for a total score of 3.

The respected Chief Imam of Kabba, Sheik Abubakar Ahmad who is in his early 60s along with one of his sons were the purported index cases from Kogi State declared on May 27, 2020 by NCDC. They were whisked to Abuja from Lokoja on the said day and declared Covid-19 positive a few hours later.

After 9 days in her custody, the NCDC discharged the Chief Imam on Saturday June 6th, 2020 and upon his return home, he was extensively debriefed by us with a view to ensuring that any lingering public health implications of his case are identified and resolved.

We were however shocked to discover that his experiences in the hands of the NCDC are far from everything that Nigerians have been told constitute best practices in a Covid-19 situation, especially its pathogenesis and management.

The Chief Imam, an upright and outstanding man who is only interested in the truth confirmed what we have known all along – that he did not test positive for CoviD-19 and received no result of such a diagnosis neither did his doctors at the National Hospital, Abuja where he was confined advise him of it.

The cleric maintains that he suffered from nothing beyond complications from an attack by bees, medical conditions which pre-date the Covid-19 pandemic and stress from travels associated with his work. Till he was released yesterday, he was held in conditions which allowed him to interact with visitors.

The son’s case is even more strange as he has a negative test result to confirm that he is Covid-19 free. Ditto all his siblings who were tested in the days following as the NCDC serially sought an off-taker for the second Covid-19 case which they had earlier foisted on Kogi State.

Throughout his father’s time in the custody of the NCDC, and in keeping with his Covid-19 negative status, the son remained at liberty and was his father’s primary helper. He was never hospitalised and was allowed to go home each day and return the next. He was allowed to mingle freely with family, visitors, hospital staff and others. Yet, till this day, he remains the second case of Covid-19 allocated to Kogi State on the NCDC’s scoreboard.

You all will recall that despite our disagreement with the NCDC’s conduct in the entire circumstances of this case, we moved rapidly and ensured that every member of the Chief Imam’s family as well as his direct contacts were traced and tested within hours of the NCDC announcement on May 27. They all tested negative.

We also declared a total lockdown of his Local Government Area, Kabba-Bunu, and carried out thorough contact tracing and surveillance activities involving active case search, with SARS-COV2 tests duly conducted and completed. Again, we found nothing to warrant a protracted lockdown which is why His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State lifted it after only 4 days.

The alleged 3rd Case of Covid-19 credited to Kogi State by the NCDC is shaping up to be another exercise in secrecy and unverifiable processes by the NCDC. Nearly one week after she was sneaked onto the NCDC’s list, the Kogi State Government is yet to be armed with the actionable information she needs to take preemptive actions in line with the Covid-19 guidelines.

We suspect that the NCDC’s lackadaisical attitude may not be unconnected with the knowledge that no infection has been found. Just like in the case of the Chief Imam and his family, let it be known that we are looking out for our citizen and will demand full reckoning should any harm come to her.

We make this briefing because it is important, in line with the sensitivity of public health issues, to communicate developments so that you may in turn inform the public accurately.

We make it clear once again that there is no case of Covid-19 in Kogi State. If ever there is, we will be the first to announce it while deploying all recommended protocols and procedures.

Our people can rest assured that we will continue to work extra hard to make sure that this increasingly controversial disease does not come into our state. We have been in a state of advanced readiness since the early days of this pandemic. Our isolation centres remain unoccupied, we have thousands of Rapid Test Kits available and we recently acquired a mobile molecular laboratory which will arrive the state any moment now.

Global research on the novel coronavirus or SARS-COV2 has caused guidelines on Covid-19 to change with confusing rapidity and Nigerians must hold the NCDC to higher standards of responsiveness and responsibility to make sure that we do not sacrifice the nation itself on the altar of mere notions about the disease.

Thank you and God bless.

KINGSLEY FANWO
Honourable Commissioner for Information and Communications

The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has released the sum of 10million naira to support the burial rites of the slain victims of the unfortunate Isanlu robbery attack which claimed about ten (10) lives.

The monetary support was delivered on behalf of the Governor by The Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Chief Edward Onoja on Sunday at his residence.

The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State, Ayuba Ede was present to receive the support on behalf of the Police families. Also present was the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Mrs Folashade Ayoade Arike, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Kogi State Government, Hon. Sunday Faleke, the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Hon. Mukadem Asiru Asiwaju and the State Security Adviser, Navy Commander Jerry Omodara.

Relaying the message on behalf of the Governor, the Deputy Governor also revealed that plans had been concluded to bring the Isanlu Police Station to standard, this according to him would rebuild the confidence of the Police for proper policing of the community.

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Etienne de Grellet must have had Pharm. Asuku in mind when he stated that, “I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

This quote by this great man greatly revealed the traits and guiding principle of this fine personality – Pharm. Abdulkareem Asuku Jamiu.

Our political landscape is full of selfish leaders. Selfish leaders that are self-serving. They also don’t give unless they’re certain they can get something in return. Their leadership style is entrenched in the idea of “quid pro quo.” That quickly reminds me of the words of Philo of Alexandria, that, “Those who give hoping to be rewarded with honor are not giving, they are bargaining.”

Asuku has excelled basically in the area of philanthropy; he is blessed with a jumbo heart and robust giving spirit. This detrabilized leader and great man of inestimable worth and remarkable achievement is better defined by his quiet philanthropic disposition, large heart, giving spirit, boundless energy and endless desire to serve and help the poor and needy irrespective of tribe or place of origin.

The current Chief of Staff is a clear definition of SELFLESSNESS. Of great note is his insightful passion for the downtrodden which knows no bound.

Those who are close to this rare gem will attest to the fact that his calm ways, simplicity of life, sincerity of purpose, robust giving spirit, willingly assistance to the poor and needy and readiness to serve humanity are rare in our clime.

Hate him or love him, Pharm. Asuku is a political mega force you cannot shove aside in strategies as far as the New Direction government is concerned. He won the hearts of his admirers by his humane and humble disposition coupled with penchant for assisting the less priviledge.

I will leave you to ponder with the words of Albert Pike:
“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.”

• Hon. Matthew Ochada writes from Lokoja

Greed is an incurable illusion of the mind as postulated by wise men globally. It’s an insatiable disease with evident symptoms.

The infamous SDP’s Gubernatorial candidate, Barr. Natasha Akpoti who lost out abysmally in the last Kogi State Gubernatorial election haven scored 481 Votes to come third seems a carrier of the greed virus. The Election result was a clear indication that she is out of sync with the people at the grassroots. She is gradually coming to terms with the reality. A reality she had decietifully veiled. Now armed with realities, her social media followers do not necessarily translate to real time voters has birthed a dolt’s comedy inclination.

She has exhibited so much of the usurpers’ spirit in her multifaceted expression of greed, neivity and negation on how decent society works via delibrative democracy . This grossly put a question mark to her acclaimed background on a revered profession “law”. In every sane clime, where democracy reign supreme as enthroment’s platform for governance and development, true democrats roll off politicking scene to ensure state or nation’s building. Disappointedly, reverse is the case with the infamous SDP’s candidate. She has frustratedly becomes a worshiper of hysteric gods, living in paradise built by her illusions of becoming a Governor via vile antics against the duly elected Governor of the state and any thing related to the administration.

She was the arrow head amongst other war mongers fanning the ember of religious war recently in the state. Mischievously, a peace mission for a peaceful coexistence by a high ranking official of the state was rebranded by same retrogressive agents in the emblem of Natasha. Her agents of perjury with a coven resemblance assembly, have been going round the media painting false narrative in attempt to satisfy her gluttonic appetite for anarchy.

Yesterday, the evil owl quacked again, in her usual display of needless hate and penchant for negativity. She accused the Governor of being responsible for the unfortunate Armed Robbery incident that occurred in Isanlu. A genuine Leader who is sincerely concerned about the wellbeing of her people will show sign of empathy by visiting the Families of those that lost their loved ones in the attack. Sadly, the opportunistic vermin took to social media to vituperate baseless accusations and lies that is aimed at causing nothing but bad blood amongst the good people of Isanlu and new Direction Government. the pertinent question begging for answer, to what purpose is Natasha banking on every deleterious news to drag the name of the State Government to the mud? The answer is not far fetched, it is for the sole purpose of destabilizing the Government and making the Governor seem incapable. It is high time Natasha Akpoti pull off the toga of excessive hate and evil plot towards Kogi State and her people. Her actions gives one reason to suspect she might have hands in the recent criminal activities going on in kogi state just to score some cheap political points.

Before the emergence of Governor Yahaya Bello, Kogi State had experienced series of robbery cases and incessant killings. as at 2005-2014, within the span of 8 years under the reign of PDP led administration, Kogi State witnessed 8 Bank robberies in these areas namely; Kabba, Okene, Lokoja, Ayingba and none of the culprits was brought to book but today the New Direction Government has governed for barely 5 years and recorded two Bank robberies both in a very hidden locations at the flanks of the State. The robbers in the first case were all apprehended and the State is making frantic efforts in apprehending the recent perpetrators. Comparatively speaking, one will agree the New Direction Government has performed way better than the past administration.

Perhaps during the era of past administration when robbery cases were highly rampant, Natasha was still caught up in the web of confusion as to whether to embrace the career of a full housewife or an opportunistic human right activist.

Natasha Akpoti might be alien to the level of devastations antics of such resemblence to hers had caused the good people of Kogi state far back 2007. Some of the damages are irreparable while others are extremely costly. An event no hysteria can match the reality. The people of Kogi state can tolerate her comedy and inexperience but never the antics of instigating the people along religious and ethnic lines. Those areas are red lines nobody is allowed to cross including the insane ones.

She has demonstrated too many nigating qualities of leadership. She lacks the require vision, patience , tact, deplamacy and temporament to lead. Few years of her political experiment is veiled with inherent negative dispositions to governance . Her frantic efforts in disrupting the peace enjoyed by the good people of Kogi state has a zero resultant effect. Non of her string produces results in either direction.

Wisdom demands one changes tact when failure becomes recurrent. It’s expedient she put this into consideration .

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, has deployed a team of crack detectives from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), the Special Tactical Squad (STS) and Federal-SARS to Kogi State to ensure that perpetrators of the attack on Isanlu Police station and a commercial bank in Yagba East LGA of Kogi State on 4th June, 2020 are apprehended and brought to book.

A statement signed by DCP Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja on Friday indicated that, “The IGP also ordered a full-scale manhunt for the perpetrators of the attack.”

He is also said to have directed the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police in charge of the Zone-8 Police Headquarters, Lokoja, AIG Yunana Babas to immediately assess and review the security arrangement in Kogi State and environ so as to prevent any future occurrence of such untoward incident in the State.

According to the statement, “The AIG is to personally oversee the ongoing investigations into the attack and coordinate intelligence that will lead to unearthing the whereabouts of the hoodlums and the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident.”

The IGP condoled the families of the police officers and other persons who lost their lives in the course of duty during the encounter with the hoodlums.

He called on the Isanlu Community and the entire people of Kogi State to remain calm and to avail the Police with credible information that will help in the speedy arrest of the criminal elements.

A delegation of Kogi State Government led by the Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja, are currently in Isanlu, Yagba East local government area to sympathise with the people over Thursday’s robbery attack that claimed the lives of many, including police officers.

Addressing traditional heads and stakeholders in the Palace of the Agbana of Isanlu, Onoja said the delegation was mandated by the state governor to visit the area to assess situation

He noted that government is commited to the security of lives and properties of the people, and assured them that the couprits will be brought to justice.

Details shortly…

The Kogi State Government has lifted the lockdown placed on Kabba Bunu local government Area.

Governor Yahaya Bello made the announcement to lift the lockdown at a press briefing today.

He said that the lockdown was occasioned by the need to be responsive to the alleged case of a reported case of covid19.

He said following the test conducted which came out negative and the contact tracing done which also tested negative, said more samples have been taken and would be sent to NCDC.

Many reportedly lost their lives on Thursday afternoon as some unknown gunmen numbering seven invaded first Bank and a police station in Isanlu, Kogi state.

An eye witness account who identified himself as Segun Thomas said that the incident occured around 12pm on Thursday.

Thomas a retired police officer, explained that the gunmen first attacked the Isanlu police station where eight policemen, the Divisional Police Officer in charged of the station , five policemen and one female police officer were killed and their weapons carted away.

He added that the robbers having enjoyed their free day at the police station proceeded to the local government branch of First Bank Plc where a female civilian who was at the bank to transact business was also killed by the gunmen bring the total causality to nine person .

While contacted the Police Public Relations Spokesman, William Ayah confirmed the attack.

According to him, the state police Commissioner CP Ayuba Ede has drafted the deputy commissioner of police incharge of operation to Isanlu to access the situation and then get back to him.

He mentioned that he cannot tell the press numbers of casualties during the attack.

Meanwhile Kogi state governor, Alhaji Yahay Bello has prevailed on security agencies in the state to go after the criminals who participated in Thursday’s bank robbery in Insalu and attack on Police Station which led to the death of some persons including police personnel on duty.

Governor Bello gave the directive in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed in Lokoja, the state capital.

While condoling family of those who lost loved ones in the unfortunate attack, Bello  described the incident as unacceptable, dastardly and cowardly, implorig security operatives to apprehend the perpetrators.

Governor Bello charged residents of the State to readily assist the security operatives, in their own way, by providing useful information to help combat crime in the State.

He said the state’s hospitality should not be taken as gateway for criminal elements, assuring the people that government will protect them from the hands of criminals.

“Our open arms is no invitation to criminals. Our first responsibility as a government is to ensure the security of lives and property in the state. Bank robbery was a recurrence decimal in Kogi state before the current administration. Together with all security agencies in the state, we ended the regime of this form of crime since 2017, we will not allow this to reverse the gains we have recorded in protecting lives and property of our people”.

The Governor has also directed security agents to strengthen surveillance and intelligence gathering that could lead to arrest of the criminals.

The Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor, Pharm. Abdulkareem Mod’d Jamiu today received an award of recognition from a Non Governmental Organization, Heema and Kids Concept for his humanitarian and Philanthropic endeavours.

The group which was established in 2015, caters for the knowledge need of every kids and also support every child to make their voice heard and also help the less privileged children.

The COS in his remark after receiving the award thanked God almighty and the NGO for such recognition noting that such honour received from the children meant a great deal to him.

He also expressed his appreciation to the initiators of the NGO, Miss Ibrahim raheema ovayoza and the children’s teacher noting that parental upbringing would be complemented with a positive peer group influence that would allow them grow up with good character.

Pharm Abdulkareem promised the NGO to continue to support children in all endeavours of life noting that they remained the hope of the country.

In her opening remarks Queen Vanessa Attah on behalf of the other kids noted that the children recognised the impact made by the State Government and the Chief of Staff in protecting and adding value to the lives of children in the state.

She noted that the state was performing excellently in the current regime soliciting support fort the HKC in its efforts to change the lives of children academically and other areas of life.

She noted that the state was performing excellently in the current regime soliciting support fort the HKC in its efforts to change the lives of children academically and other areas of life.

Kogi state government has warned the people of the state against accessing healthcare services at the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja.

Speaking at the end of the weekly Kogi State executive council meeting in Lokoja on Wednesday, the state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo said FMC Lokoja has “become an incubation point for breeding false COVID-19 cases.”

Fanwo alleged that the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and bringing “compromised machines to FMC Lokoja.” 

“The machine the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC are bringing to Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja has been programmed to record positive Covid-19 cases only. Their sample collection materials have been infected with Covid-19.

“Both the Federal Ministry of Health and NCDC are not trusted and we have every reason not to ever believe their commercial efforts against Covid-19. The people should know that NCDC is desperate to attack the people of Kogi State with Coronavirus at all cost. But the Government of Kogi State will defend her people. Our people should not panic. Government is on top of the situation,” he said.

The Chief Medical Director of FMC Lokoja, Dr Olatunde Alabi, could not be reach to react to the allegations.

By Ajogwu Jerry Ochada

Abomi Igala!
I bring you greetings from the rich cultural lineage bequeathed by Attah Ayegba Om’Idoko. Ane Igala is a kingdom that was contested but NEVER subdued.

Yesterday (2nd of June 2020) will forever remain green in the minds of ‘Amaju Ayegba’ but it is time we learn from experience and past mistakes.

Recall that during the November 2019 Kogi gubernatorial elections, our Igala brethren stormed the social media dishing out PU results as it was collated. I queried this outing and told many callers who called my line trying to know electoral results to wait for INEC announcement and breakdown; I told them I am not INEC and cannot celebrate polling units results when election is ongoing and strategies are yielding results and unfolding.

We all saw the outcome. While our brethren were busy celebrating polling units results, we were dazed by the Kano semblance tsunami that rolled in from Kogi Central.

How many persons of Ebira or Okun extraction did you see or read on their timelines brandishing Facebook or pulling results?

The result our brethren hurriedly posted and paated on Facebook did not see the light of the day. Facebook is not a competent court of law or electoral tribunal but we cannot deny the power of social media. Be that as it may, our brethren have succeeded in using this space ONLY as a duel ground without traces of unity.

The case concerning ownership of Lokoja and Koton-Karfe was filed by the deceased Attah of Igala, Alh Aliyu Obaje. It was reinstituted by the incumbent Attah, Michael Ameh Oboni II in 2017. Judgment was delivered in favour of His Royal Highness because even the pages of history is rich with evidence concerning the land.

The whole confusion was instigated by the British colonialists who were guilty of annexing territories with reckless abandonment. Returning the land to the original owner calls for celebration but the recent wild jubilation is a miscalculated hullabaloo. Take it or leave it!

Let’s get it straight:

1. The case has lingered for years without anyone of us having knowledge of it perhaps because of the attitudinal defects of our people who can fight any positive development even when they are beneficiaries.
2. The wild jubilation especially on social media can incite violence. Cases of land disputes are treated with caution because the land in question are occupied by our brethren (till thy kingdom come). Our brothers and sisters from another mother are occupying the contested territories. We all belong to the Kwararafa family.
3. The judgment can be appealed and it is not yet over until it is over.
4. No doubts, common sense is not common but we MUST learn how to succeed together as one indefatigable nation (the Igala race) or perish together as fools. Ojokikor! But we must learn how to practice decorum by keeping our chill.
5. We are striving on how to return power to Ane Igala and our people are jubilating on social media because of Lokoja and Ajaokuta that we did not know how our ancestors leased it to the colonial masters. I think focus is the watchword and too much of everything is bad.

Attah Igala prior to this time fought the secret battles that heralded the judgment because silence is golden. Today, the same man we all criticized (including myself) is now our HERO.

Do not get it twisted! I am not criticizing ongoing jubilations (at least in totality) but let’s apply common sense. We must learn how to choose our battles by learning when to unite, jubilate and criticize because we are tenants living in a small world and our actions or inactions can ruin our limited opportunities.

For those who are on standby to criticize my stance for bringing this to public readership, this is the only forum it can be addressed because we have failed to learn bitter lessons from past aberrations and the ghost of overindulgence is still hunting us.

May the reign of Attah Ameh Oboni II be long and fulfilled…..

Amomayemi! Me ki kpedoh biyen…..ibe kibuwa jor!!

(Pardon my Igala spellings)

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The decision of the Kogi State Government to lockdown Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area is a painful one, but has to be taken to ensure effective Containment of the purported outbreak of Covid-19 in the Local Government Area.

As controversial and disputed as the results of the FCT cases recorded for Kogi State are; we accept the fact that they are our citizens and live in Kabba as well as relate with people at the Local Government Area.

In line with our commitment to public health management, His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Bello has ordered a total lockdown of the Local Government to enable incident managers carry out contact tracing and massive testing.

We urge our people to fully comply with the lockdown rules as violators will be arrested and tried by Mobile Courts deployed to different parts of the Local Government Area.

Our people should persevere and obey all the rules of the lockdown which are in their best interest. We shall overcome this phase and come out stronger as a people.

Signed: Kingsley Fanwo
Hon. Commissioner for Information and Communications

02-06-2020.