Omoluabi Bode Adeyemi, a former Special Adviser on Labour and Civic Matters to immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello has said the former governor deserves accolades after meritoriously serving the North Central state and not baseless , unwarranted and needles ethnic animosity, political witch-hunt and vilification.

This is in response to a protest on Friday at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), by groups, Kogi Conscience Liberation Movement and the Kogi Concerned Citizens Forum who called for the prosecution of Bello over N80bn alleged fraud.

Bello, popularly known as as GYB among supporters led the Confluence state from 2016-2024 and recently handed over to his successor, Usman Ododo.

Reacting to the protesters in a statement on Saturday, Omoluabi described them as paid agents of the opposition, unscrupulous element promoting ethnic Politics and bad losers who are yet to come over their several Political losses in the past, urging the EFCC to toe the path of responsibility as an institution established by law fot specific assignments, to ignore their calls.

He emphasized that former governor Bello raised the tempo of excellent leadership in Kogi more that his predecessors, underlining that his efforts in positioning Kogi on progressive map should be applauded, condemning the “sponsored protest” against the former Chief Executive.

According to him, “We are all witnesses to how GYB made Kogi the centre of attraction by the massive developmental projects aimed at raising the bar of human capital development, ensuring the welfare and development of our people without leaving security unattended to.

“Lest the sponsored protesters forget, it was in this same state that GYB constructed two Brand New universities yet built a befitting University Teaching Hospital for the existing one, the Kogi State University, Kabba and the Confluence University of Science and Technology which has not only brought development to the doorstep of the people but have given our young people access to human capital development for an enhanced future.

“Again, the Okene Reference Hospital, Gegu Ultramodern hospital, Isanlu Ultramodern hospital, Ajaokuta Ultramodern hospital, Renovation of Idah Central Hospital, over 200km roads across the state are all signature tunes of the man whose head they are calling for.

“The Lokoja Specialist Hospital Renovation, 15,000 seating capacity Lokoja Civic Center, which have since become revenue generating source and employment for our teeming youths never existed before now”, he noted.

Omoluabi noted that “operation light up Kogi East” an electricity infrastructure provision campaign raised by Kogi State Government have given many LGAs in Kogi East, the opportunity to see electricity in their homes.

He denied any N80bn fraud under ex-governor Bello in Kogi State, saying it is all part of the desperate effort to call the dog a bad name just to hang it. He argued that available record shows that Governor Yahaya Bello was not a Governor in 2015 hence couldn’t have stolen when he was not office as spuriously alleged. Omoluabi says the entire state total budget was less than 70Bn, hence one person couldn’t have stolen more than the budget.

He wondered why the former governor was accused of siphoning the said sum in 2015, months before he became the governor of the state in January 2016.

He said, “A visible inconsistency that is being peddled around is that the former Governor diverted Kogi State Government funds in September 2015. Ladies and gentlemen, we all know that Yahaya Bello never became the governor of Kogi State in 2015.

“The election that produced H.E Yahaya Bello, CON, as Governor of Kogi was only conducted in November 2015. Indeed, H.E. Captain Idris Wada of the PDP held sway as Governor of Kogi State at the material time until he handed over to H.E Yahaya Bello on the 27th day of January 2016.”

He therefore called on the general public to ignore the protesters as there is no merit in their demand for Bello’s prosecution.

President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has thrown his weight behind Osun State multi-billion naira infrastructure plan, calling the initiative commendable and historical.

Speaking while receiving Governor Ademola Adeleke in his office, Alhaji Dangote said the Osun infra plan and other developmental policies are laudable policies for which Governor Adeleke should be commended.

In the press statement released by Osun Governor spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, he noted that during the meeting Mr. Aliko Dangote and his group are ready to collaborate with the state infra-development plan.

His statement:

“I have followed your programmes and policies and I must note that you are doing well. Don’t relent. You must continue this path of delivery and service.

“We will support you. We will partner with your government to deliver on your infra plans”, the richest man in Nigeria noted.

Earlier, Governor Adeleke briefed Alhaji Dangote on the multi-billion naira infra plan which covers flyover bridges, dualisation of roads, complete renovation of selected schools, alternative water provision across 332 wards, complete upgrade of primary healthcare centers and construction of 31 kilometers of new roads across the local governments.

“We are here to update you on our programmes and plans. We are moving progressively on the implementation and we seek your partnership to achieve our targets”, the Governor told the business mogul.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed ,
Spokesperson to the State Governor

Engr. Umar Abdullahi Umar, Executive Director, Technical Services of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), is the son of ex-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

President Bola Tinubu had appointed Umar into the new REA management team following the indefinite suspension slammed on the agency’s team led by Ahmad Salihijo.

While Tinubu named Aliyu Abubakar as replacement for Salihijo, he appointed three others, including Ganduje’s son as the new Executive Directors of the Agency.

The other two new directors are: Ayoade Gboyega — Executive Director, Corporate Services; and Doris Uboh — Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund (REF).

Salhijo, who was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, was suspended alongside three directors who worked with him.

The directors are Olaniyi Alaba Netufo — Executive Director, Corporate Services; Barka Sajou — Executive Director, Technical Services; and Sa’adatu Balgore — Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund (REF).

Tinubu also ordered a wider investigation into the conduct of the former management team of REA over “a fraudulent misexpenditure amounting to over N1.2 billion over the past two years”.

According to Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesman, some of the misappropriated funds have already been recovered by anti-graft agencies.

The new Technical Director of REA was actively involved in the 2023 elections. After his father withdrew from the senate race, the younger Ganduje was encouraged to vie for the House of Reps seat.

He had won the APC ticket for Dawakin Tofa/Tofa /Rimin Gado constituency, but lost to the New Nigerian Peoples Party’s Hon Tijjani Jobe, a ranking lawmaker.

Engr Umar, who had previously worked at the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), is very close to his father. He played a key role in Tinubu/Shettima campaign, especially in the youth wing.

The United Nations Children Fund has condemned the abduction of students by bandits in Kaduna State.

It said the alarming frequency of such incidents across the country signalled a crisis that requires immediate and determined action from all.

UNICEF said it is coordinating with local officials and providing assistance to the affected parents and families through psychological support services.

Over 280 pupils and teachers of Government Secondary School and LEA primary school at Kuriga, Kaduna State were abducted by bandits.

The bandits reportedly invaded the Kuriga area of the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Thursday, shooting at their victims before taking away at least 280 of the pupils and teachers from both schools.

UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, in a statement said, the alarming frequency of such incidents across the country signals a crisis that requires immediate and determined action from all levels of government and society.

Munduate said, “I am deeply saddened and concerned by the reports of yet another abduction of students in Kaduna State. The alarming frequency of such incidents across the country signals a crisis that requires immediate and determined action from all levels of government and society. Schools are supposed to be sanctuaries of learning and growth, not sites of fear and violence.

“This latest abduction, as any previously, is highly condemnable and part of a worrying trend of attacks on educational institutions in Nigeria, particularly in the northwest, where armed groups have intensified their campaign of violence and kidnappings. Just a day prior to this incident, the UN Resident Coordinator spoke about the abductions of large numbers of women, girls, and boys by members of a non-state armed group in Borno state.

“UNICEF urges immediate action to ensure the safe return of the abducted children and staff and calls on authorities to implement comprehensive measures to secure schools across Nigeria. It is imperative that the safety and security of students and educators are guaranteed, allowing schools to fulfill their role as safe havens for learning and development.”

She stated that the right to education is fundamental and must be protected against any form of violence or intimidation.

“Our hearts go out to the families of the abducted students and staff, and we stand with them in this harrowing time. The right to education is fundamental and must be protected against any form of violence or intimidation. The children of Nigeria deserve to learn in peace.

“UNICEF is coordinating with local officials and providing assistance to the affected parents and families through psychological support services. The UN Children’s Agency is dedicated to collaborating with government entities, local communities, and various partners to tackle the fundamental issues leading to violence against children and to safeguard educational environments from threats and violence.

“Every child deserves to grow up in an environment of peace, away from the looming shadows of threats and insecurity. Unfortunately, we are currently facing a significant deterioration in community safety, with children disproportionately suffering the consequences of this decline in security,” she added.