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Our ultra-modern events arena is ready for commissioning — Kogi Govt
The Kogi State Government has said a state-of-the-art events arena built by the government is 100% ready for commissioning.
This was disclosed Monday, by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, saying the arena is more equipped than the Eagle Square in Abuja.
In his words, “I am happy to inform you that the Kogi State Government just completed an ultra modern events arena in Lokoja, the state capital.
“The arena can take thousands at once and sit tens of thousands comfortably and it is equipped with security and communications facilities and gadgets for the safety and comfort of users.
Kogi ultra-modern events Arena ready for Commissioning
“With our muti-faceted electronic billboards stationed outside, crowd control is made easy as people can watch the giant screens to follow what is happening in the arena.”
Fanwo said the State Ministry of Works and Housing deserves commendation for using local contractors for the magnificent project.
“There is a policy in the state to patronise local contractors as a way of growing our economy. The project was handled and delivered by a Kogi contractor. Our people were given different kinds of jobs and opportunities there which is quite commendable.
“The Ministry of Works and Housing has carefully and committedly followed the policy of the GYB administration to empower local contractors which is in tandem with our Citizens Empowerment Initiative. This is instructive and remarkable.”
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Sadiku Ohere said the Ministry is ensuring all projects are delivered ahead of the ‘Festival of Projects Commissioning’ by Mr President later this year.
“We are working very hard to ensure all our projects are completed ahead of the Festival of Projects Commissioning which will be done by the President in the next few months.
“These projects cut across roads, schools, hospitals and others, such as the Events Arena which will be properly named at Commissioning.
“Some of the projects have been completed while others are at various degrees of completion. We are working day and night to complete all of them in the shortest possible time so that all will be ready for Mr President to commission,” he said.
The State Government is building hospitals and model schools across the state as well as a number of road projects. The President may also visit the Kogi State Rice Mill at Ejiba in the Kogi West Senatorial District of the state which is said to be the second largest in Northern Nigeria. The Mill produces Confluence Rice.
The Executive Chairman of Yagba West Local Government Area, Hon. Pius Kolawole commended Governor Yahaya Bello for siting such a big project in his Local Government Area.
According to him, the Rice Mill and the Fishery Facilities put in place by the Government around Omi Dam are really helping to empower a lot of young people.
“The Government of Alh. Yahaya Bello has paid a lot of attention to the rural areas. The Rice Project cost the Government over 4 billion naira and they brought it to a rural area.
“This is a way of encouraging rural dwellers to be economically viable and independent. We have to take the full advantage of this benefit,” he said, insisting that young people will disconnect from crime if governments across Nigeria can copy the “Yahaya Bello Rural Development Model.”
Lagos State Governor and Chairman of the South West Governors Forum, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, condoled with the newly appointed Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Ibadan and former interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, over the death of his son-in-law, Barr. Oyedele Clement Akintola.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, also commiserated with Chief Akande’s daughter, Mrs. Bolaji Akintola, over the demise of her beloved husband.
The Governor said the demise of Barr. Akintola on Wednesday, at age 60, is an irreparable loss, which would have created a vacuum in the family. He prayed that God would give the immediate and extended family of the deceased, the grace to bear the great loss.
He said: “On behalf of my family, the government, and the good people of Lagos, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the family of our leader, Chief Bisi Akande and the late Barr. Oyedele Clement Akintola on this great and irreparable loss.
“The late Barr. Akintola was an epitome of humility and uprightness, and he was a pillar of support for his wife and children. His family will miss him greatly, because of the vacuum his death has created. I urge family of the deceased, friends, and associates to take the death of Barr Akintola in good faith, knowing that he lived a fulfilled life.
“I pray that God will grant the late Barr. Oyedele Clement Akintola eternal rest and grant the family, particularly his wife and children, the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.”
By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
Benue State Go Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyicenth Alia has disclosed that a commission of enquiry will be set up by the state government to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the violent protest that took place in Ukum local government of the state.
Alia made the disclosure on Thursday night during a live broadcast on the mayhem that occured in Ukum local government area, reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to the safety of all residents of the state.
He vowed not to sit back and allow anyone or a group of persons to frustrate the peace of the State and destabilize government activities.
The governor sympathized with victims of the attack, said government was intensifying efforts in collaborating with security agencies to bring the perpetrators of the violent and criminal acts to justice as well as work on preventive measures to ensure such incident does not reoccur.
Governor revealed that combined security agents had raided the hidout of bandits in Ukum and subsequently neutralized two bandits, recovered seven motorcycle, two English pistols, a Toyota camry, and commercial tricycle and lots of charms.
He explained that as a reprisal, some bandits hit some soft target and killed six civilians at Ayati in Ukum, believing that the members of Ayati community were responsible for giving information on their operations and hidouts.
The governor further explained that the action led to an initial protest of anger and frustration by family members and women regarding the killings of their loved ones on the Ayati-Sai road down to Sankera but Regretted that the peaceful protests was hijacked by bandits and miscreants who had carefully planned to undertake and unleash mayhem on businesses and peace-loving people of Sankera.
He appealed to the people of Sankera and its environs to remain calm and exercise restraint, emphasized that his administration for the last time, extends hands of fellowship to all youths who have chosen to reside in the forests and continually launch attacks on innocent citizens.
He stressed that his government was running out of patience and shall no longer guarantee the olive leaf branch extended to them.
Nigerian NewsDirect reports that representative of Kastina-Ala, Ukum, Logo federal constituency, Solomon Wombo who was at the broadcast, thanked governor Alia for the steps taken to restore calm in the area promising to collaborate with government to find lasting solution to the insecurity in the constituency.
By Atondu Titus
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has assured the people of Ukum Local Government Area in the Sankera axis that normalcy will soon return to the area, following an incident involving criminal elements on Wednesday.
The Governor, represented by his deputy, Barr. Dr. Sam Ode, condemned the actions as “barbaric” and reiterated that the government will not tolerate anything less than peace and security of lives and properties.
“We are committed to ensuring that peace and normalcy return to this area. The curfew imposed on the area from 6pm to 6am daily will remain in place until further notice,” Governor Alia said.
The Police Commissioner, Mr. Hassan Steve Yabanet, also reassured residents that normalcy has returned to the area, saying, “We are on top of the situation.”
The Governor’s visit to Ukum was seen as a move to show solidarity with the affected communities and to reiterate the government’s commitment to ensuring that justice is served. During the tour, the Governor’s delegation visited several locations, including Ukum Local Government Secretariat, INEC office, Government College Zaki Biam, Benue State High Court, Benue Links Park, St Paul Nursery Primary and Secondary School, Magistrate.
Sanwo-Olu commiserate with Akande over death of son-in-law
Benue Govt to investigate Ukum protest, sets up commission of enquiry
