NEWS
Christian Chapel: Governor Yahaya Bello has fulfilled his promise to God – Edward Onoja
The Chief Of Staff to the Kogi State Governor, Chief Edward Onoja said the State Governor has fulfilled his pledge to God by constructing a Christian Chapel in the Government House, 28 years after the creation of the State.
Onoja disclosed this while making his remarks at the ground breaking and foundation laying ceremonies of the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja, Monday, 22nd July, 2019.
He said the Governor was conscious of the promise he made to God.
Onoja told the Christian-packed rehabilitated Glass House that the Foundation Laying Ceremony has shown the “character of the Governor as a promise keeper”.
“When he was going about campaigning to be Governor, I was his campaign DG and I remembered that he did promise to ensure he builds a befitting place of worship for Christians in Government House.
“We have had Governors before Alh Yahaya Bello, who felt comfortable that there was no place of worship for Christians in the Government House.
But this Governor, being what he is as an unbiased leader, has done what others could not do.
“I also remember that the Governor told me about his experience anytime he was traveling to Makurdi where he once worked and lived.
“He discovered the darkness in Kogi East as over 80% of the District have no electricity. He made a promise to God to light up the District if ever became Governor.
“Today, he has set the call rolling and a Committee is already working hard to actualize the dream.
“This is the reason we see him as an uncommon leader. He has defeated ethnic bigotry, relegated classicism and now, he has shown the whole world that he can promote religious harmony.
“With what the Governor has done in Kogi State, I have faith in Nigeria. I have faith that we can have leaders who will be detribalized and without religious bigotry because we all serve one God”.
Onoja charged all Kogites and Nigerians at large to always believe in the oneness of all people regardless of race, class and religion.
Also speaking at the event, the CAN National President, Dr. Samson Ayokunle told the Governor that anyone who builds a house for the worship of God is “unstoppable”.
He said: “That you have done this for God, God will ensure everything you lay your heart and hands on becomes successful. You will live long and reap the fruits you have sown unto the Kingdom of God today. You will succeed in all that you do.
“Other Governors in Nigeria should come and learn from the acumen of the Governor to promote unity and defeat marginalization and bias. You have done well and God will reward you abundantly”.
Addressing the audience, the Governor said he has decided to ensure that all races and religions will have a sense of equality and fairness in his administration.
He said he will continue to serve the people better.
“We have united this state. We have closed the walls of divisions. We will continue to push the state to the heights it should be.
“The only grouse they have against my administration is the few months salary arrears that we are owing. I thank the President for approving our bailout which was meant for the payment of those arrears, some of which we met on assumption of office.
“In a couple of days, we shall be done with payment. We will remain committed to the welfare of all Kogites whether they are civil servants or not”.
NEWS
Kebbi Gets New Head of Service
The Kebbi Government has appointed Malami Muhammad-Shekari as the substantive Head of Civil Service of the state.The Chief Press Secretary to Kebbi Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, made this known in a statement in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.Idris said the appointment had been conveyed to Muhammad-Shekari in a letter dated Nov.
1.He added that the appointment took effect from Oct. 28.“The Executive Governor of Kebbi State, His Excellency, Dr Nasir Idris, FCNA (Kauran Gwandu), has approved the appointment of TPL. Malami Muhammad Shekare (mni) as the substantive Head of the Civil Service with effect from 28th Oct. 2024,” Idris quoted the letter as stating. (NAN)NEWS
APC Stalwart Faults Ex-Kogi Gov’s Trial
All Progressives Congress (APC) Stalwart Isaac Onuh and a former Ambassador to Botswana has faulted the trial of former Kogi Gov. Yahaya Bello over corruption charges.In a news conference on Friday in Lokoja, Onuh described Bello’s trial as an “unfortunate witchhunt”.The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has, on Thursday, asked a Federal High court in Abuja to begin the trial of Bello in his absence.
The anti-graft agency has also filed a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80 billion. But Onuh alleged that the anti-corruption agency was harassing and intimidating the ex-governor.He said that Bello deserved to be respected by government agencies, including EFCC, having served the state for eight years.He alleged that the EFCC had yet to provide ample evidence to substantiate its allegations of financial impropriety against Bello.He noted that Kogi was governed by laws made by the state House of Assembly which established the state anti-corruption commission that consistently gave clean bill to Bello during his administration.But the EFCC insisted that it asked Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, to proceed with the trial of Bello in absentia, arguing that his non-appearance in court for arraignment should not be allowed to frustrate his trial.The EFCC through its lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, also urged the court to enter a plea of “not guilty” on behalf of Bello.According to EFCC, Bello is facing trial on 19-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80.2billion.It notes that the court had summoned him for arraignment six consecutive times.Pinheiro noted that the former governor’s refusal to appear for his arraignment was malicious and that the court should not demonstrate helplessness by not trying him in absentia.(NAN)NEWS
Ebonyi: Police Arrest 4 Suspected Organ Harvesters, 173 Others
The Nigeria Police command in Ebonyi said it arrested no fewer than 177 suspected criminals for various offences in the month of October, 2024. The Command noted that four out of the 177 suspects were alleged to be involved in human organ harvesting and ritual killings. DSP Joshua Ukandu, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) disclosed this in a news conference in Abakaliki on Friday.
Ukandu explained that officers and men of the command arrested a total of 177 suspects which includes 162 males and 15 females. “92 suspects among them have been charged to court, while others would be arraigned once investigations are completed. “On behalf of the Commissioner of Police Ebonyi Command, CP Anthonia Uche-Anya, I want to warmly welcome you to this press conference “I am here to update you on the Command’s achievements within October 2024 and our relentless efforts to combat crimes and ensure a safe and prosperous environment for socio-economic growth in the State. “The command has employed strategic steps through increased stakeholders engagement to help bring crimes to the barest minimum. “Through this approach, we have been able to reduce the incidences of violent crimes, while operatives of the command are not relenting in our efforts to make the state safe for all. “During the month under review, the command arrested 162 males and 15 females, totalling 177 suspects for various offences. 92 suspects have already been charged in court, while others will be arraigned once investigations are complete,” Ukandu explained. On the alleged organ harvesting and ritual killings, the Command’s Spokesman said that on October 11, Mrs Blessing Chikezie reported to the command of her missing husband, Mr Idenyi Chikezie, who left home on September 9 for a business trip to Lagos. “Command operatives from the Anti-kidnapping unit, through a painstaking investigation and credible intelligence, arrested one Innocent Elebe and Eze Elechi; they made useful statements, which led the police to arrest Obinna Nwanguru and Oda Peter. “They confessed to killing Chikezie Idenyi, Chibu Odii and Eze Fabian on different dates while trying to extract their blood/ organs to use it to cure a cognitively impaired person (Down syndrome). “Operatives of the command have recovered the corpses of Chikezie Idenyi and Chibu Odii while effort is ongoing to recover the remains of the third victim,” Ukandu stated. Some other suspects were arrested for kidnappings, murder, robbery and unlawful possession of firearms. (NAN)