We are here for a very serious business. The business is very serious that I will leave the campus community of my college at this time of the day to come to this place. It really tells you the importance attached to this business of this morning.  I will look at us, one,  as a volunteer organization, a group of professionals that will help Nigeria out of the present challenge we find ourselves.   I am not here today as a provost, College of Health Sciences and Technology Idah.  I am here as a professional, an individual that is at the forefront of campaign against communicable diseases outbreak in Nigeria. I am the State Chapter President of Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria and again the Deputy National President of the Same Association. It is in that capacity I am here this morning for those of us in tune with our radio, the previous Saturday, I was at Lokoja the for one hour exhaustive interview on Lasser Fever inci...

As an environmentalist , the Provost College of Health Sciences and Technology, Nuhu Anyegu  has declared war against rat in a sensitization exercise going on live at Upperroom International School Idah Kogi State on Lassar Fever . " We all should be  involved in health education" .                    Mr. Oni-Peters  Principal Upperroom Intl School Idah "Do not say you have killed all the rat in your house. Some rat can hide and hold their breath like any human capable of withstanding any unpalatable situation for one hour just to escape being killed". BUY disinfectant to ensure no rats survived in your house. Any where you see rat destroy it, dispose it properly, excavate the ground, bury it or burn it as well " : He said  ... Details soon

By  Solomon Ayado   As the 88th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is scheduled to hold on Monday, indications have emerged that the party may finally resolve on its earlier plan to change name.  This is just as the party may during the meeting, conclude arrangements to merge with some other political parties towards retrieving power from the All Progressives Congress (APC). Umaru Ibrahim Tsauri, National Secretary of the party had announced the NEC meeting in a public notice that circulated in both new and old media platforms, weekend. The meeting, holding on Monday, January 27, 2020, at the NEC Multi Purpose Hall, National Secretariat, Wadata plaza in Abuja, is expected to tackle all the burning issues seriously birthing some challenges for the party, for sometime now. Apart from changing the name of the party, which sources said has become imperative, the opposition party, it was gathered, may during the meeting,  san...

Let me start my congratulating you on your successful inauguration as the fifth executive Governor of our dear beloved confluence state. This is no mere feat at all considering the politics that played out from the struggle for the party's tickets through the screening, your emergency as your party's flagbearer and all the rough roads that led to one of the most infamous election in the history of Kogi State if not Nigeria at large and your declaration as the winner eventually. I consider this letter very important if not most timely considering that fact that fingers are crossed to see how you're going to pilot the affairs of the state once again after the earlier disastrous outing in your first term. I was able to itemized in my earlier write up titled "JUST BEFORE THE INAUGURATION OVERTURE" some of the reasons for your abysmal performance in your first tenure which includes but not limited to Political inexperience cum juvenile team players, mismana...

-  IDOWU SOWUNMI Ogun State Government Sunday confirmed a case of Lassa fever in the state, explaining that the 29-year-old patient is not dead but has been transferred to Federal Specialist Hospital in Irrua, Edo State. The government, in a statement by Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, explained that the Governor Dapo Abiodun administration was doing everything to contain the outbreak. She said the suspected Lassa fever case was confirmed by Ogun State Virology Laboratory on January 24, noting that the patient is a pregnant 29-year- old who took ill and was referred to Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta. However, contrary to some reports circulating in the media, Coker said the patient was not dead. “The patient is not dead as she was transferred to the Federal Specialist Hospital in Irrua, Edo State, which has facilities to provide for the Lassa fever patients with the full benefit of multidisciplinary care required. “In her case, the specialist hospital has facili...

Family members and close friends of Munirat Alhaji, a young lady from Ojodu, Dekina local government area allegedly attacked with acid by her brother Kabiru and was hospitalized at the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Lokoja, today heaved a sigh of relief as her medical bills were cleared by Kogi State Government. This happened on the directive of governor Yahaya Bello. The offsetting of the medical bills was carried out through the office of the Chief Medical Director, Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Dr Ahmed Attah. Dr. Attah said as part of the directives given by the governor, the state government will take full charge of the patient, adding that arrangements were already made to transfer her to a private hospital in Abuja where the victim is expected to undergo plastic surgery to correct the damages done to her face and other parts of her body. He also hinted that the state government already made the initial deposit for her reconstruction surgery, and said comprehensive t...

A former commissioner for agriculture in Kogi State, Zacchaeus Atte, has been convicted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, over misappropriatio n of funds. The ICPC spokesperson, Rasheedat Okoduwa said Mr Atte was convicted on corruption charges by the state High Court sitting in Okene, presided over by Justice J.J Majebi. According to Okoduwa, Mr Atte was found guilty on 7 out of the 11 counts charges brought against him by ICPC.She further explained that Atte, who is to serve a total of 19 years jail term, was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment each on counts 1 and 3 without an option of fine. Mrs Okoduwa said “Mr Atte collected the sum of N11,937,000 and N8,873,766 respectively meant for “the raising and distribution of Oil Palm Sprouted Nuts Seedlings” to cocoa farmers in Kogi State which he did not raise nor distribute. According to the ICPC, it was an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Pract...

While others are obsessed with inauguration euphoria and brouhaha of the fifth Executive Governor of Kogi State on 27 January, 2020. We are concerned about the process that brought them to power and our experiences as Kogites under this administration. Only the gullible will not ponder on this. Is it the lives lost , the breach of process and the crisis of legitimacy?  After all is said and done, the desperate and unguided vulnerable mindset will tell you that “ win na win”. My worry however is that for how long shall we continue with this anomaly and get our democracy in motion? There is a system collapse every where. No evidence of good governance and responsible leadership. To say the least, there is no prospect in sight with group of greedy charlatans in the corridor of power seeking immediate gratification and stomach infrastructure.  I wish the government and its leadership is aware that there is more to governance then election especially in the wake of poli...

By  Ibrahim Obansa, Lokoja In retaliation of the killing of 65-year-old Godwin Egbunu in his farm by suspected Fulani herdsmen, youths of Oforachi community in Igala Mela Odolu Council of Kogi State have allegedly killed four herders and dumped their bodies in Ofu River. A witness confided in our correspondent that last Friday, some Fulani herdsmen, who invaded the farm and destroyed all the crops, murdered the sexagenarian. According to him, the murderers attacked the farmer in the presence of the policemen who was accompanying him to the farm, as he had gone to lay complaints over the invasion of his farm. The Guardian gathered that the youths, piqued by the killing of the farmer, mobilised and went to the farm where they killed four herders suspected to be culpable. However, the policemen reportedly said they could not stop the killing of the farmer because they were not armed. A resident also confirmed that the community had been keeping vigil to wave off attacks by...

A story is often told of a snake that was chased by hunter. The animal asked a farmer to save its life. To hide it from its pursuers, the farmer squatted and let the snake crawl into its belly. But when the danger had passed and the farmer asked the snake to come out, the snake refused. It was warm and safe inside.  On his way home, the farmer saw a Heron and went up to him to whisper what had happened. The Heron told him to squat and strain to eject the snake. When the snake stuck its head out, the heron caught it, pulled it out and killed it.  The farmer was worried that the snake's poison might still be inside him, and the Heron told him that the cure for snake poison was to cook and eat six white fowl.  "You're a white fowl," said the farmer. "You'll do for a start." He grabbed the heron, put it in a bag and carried it home where he hung it up while he told his wife what had happened.  "I'm surprised at you" said the wife.  ...

-  IDOWU SOWUNMI Less than 24 hours after the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, proffered practical solutions over the Amotekun controversy, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo along with the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, as well as the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, Thursday met in Abuja with the South-west governors. The meeting yielded positive results as all the stakeholders agreed that Amotekun should be aligned with the community policing strategy of the Federal Government. And Amotekun has come to stay! “The meeting was very fruitful and unanimous resolutions were made on the way forward. “Having regard to the need for all hands to be on deck in addressing the security concerns across the country, it was agreed that the structure of Amotekun should also align with the Community Policing strategy of the Federal Government.     “It was also agreed that necessar...

The Chief Administrator of Igalamela,/ Odolu Local Government, Hon.Patrick Danjuma onogwu held a Security and Peace PAC meeting on Monday at the Local Government conference hall.  The security meeting was attended by all the security agencies in the area and the traditional rulers to tackle the issue of the lingering crisis in Oforachi and the neighbouring communities.  Here is the list of Heads of communities that  came out with a -peace -restored -result, 1.Hon.patrick onogwu.. The chief administrator and the chief security officer of the local government 2.The Area commander, Idah Area Command. 3. The Etemahi igalamela and the Chairman igalamela odolu local government traditional council.(taaaaakida). 4. The DPO, Ajaka Division. 5. The D.O. Civil defence Ajaka Division, 6. The commander Naval Based and out post Idah . 7. The commander NDLEA Idah Command, 8.All the Fulani Head from the three neighbouring local government areas. 9. The Secretary t...

Still basking in the fame that has come his way with the swearing in of Senator Hope Uzodinma as the governor of Imo State on Wednesday, the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, says there are still  39 of his prophecies of  that will come to pass in 2020. Mbaka two weeks ago prophecied that the gubernatoria candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC in the 2019 governorship election will take over Imo State governorship. Mbaka had said then that he he did not know how his prophecy will be fulfilled. But the Supreme Court helped actialise the prophecy with the removal of the Imo State  Emeka Ihedioha and declaration of Senator Uzodinma as the validly elected governor of Imo State on Tuesday. Senator Hope Uzodinma was inaugurated as governor of Imo State on Wednesday evening. Mbaka was present at the swearing in ceremony where he was hailed and celebrated for his accurate prophecy. But in the statement by his spokesman, Maximus Ugwuoke, ...

Sequel to the sacking of now former Governor of Imo State, Emeka Iheadioha, by the Supreme Court on Tuesday, our writer observes that courts have nullified elections of several governors in the past; but while some were handed some lifeline to go for re-run elections which many of them actually won, many others were not that lucky as they were sacked outright by the courts. The Following were the governors and reasons they were sacked: CHRIS NGIGE (ANAMBRA) The first sitting Governor that will be removed by a court was Chris Ngige of Anambra. Ngige, who succeeded Chinwoke Mbadinuju in the 2003 elections, saw his administration facing turbulent period throughout his reign which culminated into his eventual removal by the Appeal Court on March 14, 2006. The Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu, subsequently the court declared Peter Obi of All Progressive Grand Alliance party (APGA) winner. The court of appeal upheld the ruling of the Anambra State Election Petition Tr...

. Martin Luther King Jr. would have turned 91 years old today. Born in 1929, he would become one of the most important figures in History, a key reference when it comes to the struggle for human rights and justice, and a lead example on tolerance and nonviolence activism. King saw humanity as a whole united by unyielding links of fraternity and common destiny, as he stated in his famous “I have dream” speech. He was assassinated when he was only 39 years-old. The bullets silenced the man, but not his message. Today we pay tribute to his invaluable contribution to peaceful coexistence and dignity for all human beings, regardless of their race, sex, religion or social status. Join us in a conversation and tell us what you would do to apply the principles of tolerance and nonviolence to your daily life?

Some students of the Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, have accused the management of the institution of being exploitative following the increment of their tuition fees. This development has caused panic among the students who confided in our correspondent that they are set for a showdown with the institution if management fails to revert to the old tuition. There is a clear disparity in the fee payment depending on the course of studies and level of the student. A breakdown of the draconian fee as obtained by our correspondent on Monday showed that, for the School of Management Studies which comprises of Accounting, Business Administration, and Public Administration, National Diploma I and II students indigenes and non indigenes are now expected to pay N38,250, N45,750, N38,250, 45,750 respectively instead of what was paid last year which was put at N32,200, N39,200, N24,200 and N31,600 respectively. For Higher National Diploma, HNDI, under school of Management Studies, DAIL...