
News
Set Up Kogi State Oil Producing Area Dev Comm, Group tells Gov Bello
The Coterie Of Ibaji Youths of Nigeria (COIYN), an umbrella organization for Ibaji people both at home and in the Diaspora, has urged Gov. Yahaya Bello to expedite action in setting up the Kogi State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (KOSOPADEC) without further delay.
Mr. Tony Edike, Chairman Board of Trustees of COIYN, made the call while addressing newsmen at Onyedega, Headquarters of Ibaji Local Government against the backdrop of the classification of Kogi as an Oil Producing State by the Federal Government.
The oil wells which accorded Kogi an oil producing status are domiciled in Ibaji local government area of the state.
Edike said that the commission would facilitate the development of local communities and the peaceful coexistence of the indigenes of the oil bearing communities who fought very hard to actualise the oil producing status.
He said that the commission would also prevent youths from economic sabotage and hasten the development of Ibaji Local Government.

‘The Governor should hasten the setting up of the KOSOPADEC. The commission which is constitutional, would underscore the state government’s efforts to maximize the benefits of an oil-producing state. The commission will be part of the legacies of the Yahaya Bello-led administration under which Kogi’s long desire to become an oil producing state was actualized.
“It’s unfortunate that after our unflinching support for Gov Bello in 2019, there is no significant project in Ibaji to compensate for our support and loyalty to his government. Ibaji and Olamaboro were the only Local governments that delivered for APC, but as I speak, Ibaji has been neglected by GYB and there is nothing on the ground to show for our support for him and the APC in Ibaji Local Government. No development project has been initiated or completed in Ibaji by the state and the local government in the last eight years.
“The last Governorship election held on November 11 2023, is another one to recon with as Ibaji was the only LGA in Igala land that delivered over 25% votes to APC and the Governor-Elect, Ahmed Usman Ododo. We are hoping that the Ododo-led government won’t leave Ibaji behind once again. Ibaji as an oil-bearing local government deserves to be given a priority attention in terms of infrastructure.
“We believe that the commission, when set up, would contribute largely to the empowerment of our youths, Women, and the development of our area and this should be done without further delay,” the COIYN BOT Chairman said.
Edike, however, applauded the effort of the House of Assembly Member Representing Ibaji Constituency, Comrade Hon. Comfort Nwuchiola Egwaba for the capacity shown thus far.
He noted that the lawmaker had barely 5 months in the Assembly demonstrated commitment towards the inauguration of the oil commission by raising a bill to that effect.
‘Today the bill for the KOSOPADEC has passed second reading and we are very proud of her capacity and leads. We appreciate the Governor for the extent that the bill has gone and we wish to urge him to intensify more efforts for the commission to be set up before the end of the year 2023.”
Mr Joseph Uchola, the Secretary to the Board of Trustees added that the Honourable member representing Ibaji has done excellently well by taking up the responsibility toward the bill for the KOSOPADEC creation to be passed into law by the State Assembly.
“We want to sincerely thank the Speaker and the lawmakers for their unalloyed support for Hon. Comfort to ensure that the bill is enacted into law. We want to appeal that the bill be given an urgent and considerable attention,” he said.
Also Speaking, Mr Jerry Nwuchola, the COIYN Program Director commended Gov. Bello for ensuring that the Kogi state joined the league of oil-producing states in Nigeria.
‘I want to use this opportunity to call on the people of Ibaji to work together to achieve greater things for our Local Government. Hon. Comfort is performing very well and she has promised to carry everyone along in her quest for a quality and impactful representation which will in no distance time bring infrastructure and human development,’ he said.
Kogi State officially joined oil-producing states in Nigeria following an approval granted by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). With the approval, Ibaji is expected to be eligible to benefit from the 13 percent Derivation Fund which mineral-producing states in Nigeria are statutorily entitled to.
“We are urging the state Government led by His Excellency, Governor Adoza Bello and the Kogi State House of Assembly led by the Rt. Hon. Alhaji Yusuf Aliyu-Umar to ensure that the bill for the creation of KOSOPADEC is passed as soon as possible,” Nwuchola said.
News
Tinubu unveils APC presidential campaign council, appoints self as chairman
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has released a list of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council.
The list was released in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), on Saturday.
He noted that members of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (has been) constituted; Abdulaziz Yari to serve as DG, Uzodimma secretary President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima will serve as chairman and vice chairman, respectively.
APC National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, and Hadiza Bala-Usman will serve as Deputy Secretary and Assistant Secretary respectively.
According to the statement, “The Chairman of the Campaign Council, President Tinubu, will work with a body of advisers comprising Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Segun Osoba, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and Senator Florence Ita Giwa.’
The statement further read: “Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State have been assigned as Deputy Directors-General for the campaign in the South and the North. They will work with Senator Bamidele Opeyemi and Senator Jibril Barau in the two zones.
“Senator Adams Oshiomhole will serve as Deputy Director-General in charge of mobilisation, while the President’s Chief of Staff will serve as Deputy Director-General for Administration.
“James Abiodun Faleke, who played a pivotal role in the 2022/2023 campaign, has returned as Deputy Director-General for Election Planning, Coordination and Monitoring.

“Faleke will work with zonal directors, with Senator Olushola Adeyeye in the South-West, Dr Ngozi Olejeme in the South-South, Senator Uche Ekwunife in the South-East, Muntaqha Rabe in the North-West, Ahmed Muhammed Ketso in the North-Central, and Senator Sani Danladi in the North-East.
“Ms Stella Okotete, Engineer Abdullahi Garba Ramat and Audu Maikori will serve as Secretaries of the Election Planning Directorate.
“Muiz Adeyemi Banire will lead the Legal Directorate as Director, with Dr Liman Hassan and Babatunde Ogala as deputies. Other members are Prince Lateef Fagbemi, former Governor Ibrahim Shema, Worgu Boms and Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh.
“The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, will serve as the Coordinating Director for Media and Strategic Communication, along with Dele Alake, Bayo Onanuga, and Lanre Issa-Onilu.
“The Media Directorate also includes Tunde Rahman, Sunday Dare, Daniel Bwala, and Felix Morka, who have been assigned as Coordinating Deputy Directors.
“As we march into the campaign season, we have many achievements to trumpet—let us confidently showcase our record and inspire hope in every corner of our nation. Let us soundly defeat all those forces who plan to take our country backwards.”
News
APC Chairman slumps, dies during reconciliation meeting in Kogi
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State was thrown into deep mourning on Friday following the sudden death of its local government chairman, Oyewole Mayowa Solomon.
Solomon reportedly slumped during a peace and reconciliation meeting held at the Iyara Town Hall, the administrative headquarters of the local government area.
According to participants, the meeting was in progress when the late party leader suddenly collapsed, causing instant confusion, panic, and devastation among the political leaders and delegates in attendance.
Efforts were made immediately to resuscitate him before he was rushed to a medical facility in neighboring Kabba.
Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival at the hospital.

Reports said the peace meeting was convened by Funsho Olumoko, a former chairman of the Ijumu Local Government Area who was recently tasked by the Ijumu Consultative Forum to harmonize political interests within the region.
The session aimed to reconcile factions, resolve internal disputes, and foster unity among stakeholders ahead of future political engagements.
The peace initiative followed an earlier meeting in Iyara where APC stakeholders endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for second terms.
However, the previous initiative had experienced visible friction over local government leadership, culminating in a walkout by the deceased and several top government functionaries.
Friday’s follow-up meeting was meant to bridge those divides, bringing together selected political leaders, local government and ward executives, women and youth leaders, and government appointees representing all 15 wards of Ijumu LGA.
However, the sudden passing of Solomon has delivered a major shockwave to the political landscape in Kogi West, casting a heavy shadow over ongoing efforts to unify party ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As of press time, the exact cause of his death has not been officially disclosed, just as no formal statement has been received from the APC state executive and local authorities on the development ..
News
Another fake agency uncovered, FG suspends three perm secs, orders arrest
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the suspension of three permanent secretaries over the discovery of another fake agency operating within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The affected PS are M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare, and Richard P. Pheelangwah.
The President also ordered the arrest of one George Buchi Nwabueze.
Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, disclosed this to State House correspondents on Friday after briefing the President for the second time in two days, following an earlier meeting on Thursday.The
Aliyu said the newly uncovered fake office, operating under the name “National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office,” had been illegally allocated office space within the premises of the OSGF, contrary to extant laws and without presidential authorisation.

He said the discovery emerged in the course of the commission’s broader investigation, as earlier directed by the President.
The ICPC boss identified the promoter of the fake office as one George Nwabueze, who was said to be operating under multiple aliases.
“The fake agency office, National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, was promoted by one George Buchi Nwabueze, with active suspected collaborators in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, contrary to extant laws and without authorisation of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The promoter was discovered to also operate under four other variations of his name: George Nathan, George Nathan Nwabueze, Honourable George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze,” Aliyu said.
He revealed that the ICPC had engaged the OSGF to ascertain vital information relating to the fake office under investigation, and had comprehensively briefed the President on the new developments.
“I have briefed Mr President comprehensively on these new developments. ICPC will continue with its investigations accordingly,” he said.
Aliyu said following the discovery, “Mr President has directed as follows: the immediate arrest of Prince George Buchi Nwabueze; the immediate suspension of the following permanent secretaries; M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare, and Richard P. Pheelangwah,” he said.
Friday’s development is the latest in a scandal that began with the exposure of the fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, whose self-styled Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi, is currently facing prosecution on charges of forgery and impersonation.
The ICPC’s interim report, submitted to the President on August 6 after a 30-day investigation, had earlier disclosed the existence of two other fictitious bodies, the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership.
The National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office is the fourth fake agency uncovered after the PFIFC scandal since early April.
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