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Nigeria @ 61: Bello advocates urgent remedies for poverty, restiveness in the nation – Gov. Bello
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello necessity was laid upon all in government, and across all political lines, to quickly find remedies for poverty and restiveness in the land while simultaneously moving the country forward.
He stressed that such was the only way we could ensure that by next year, we have reversed the almost unanimous current consensus among the citizens that Nigeria was so much more than we have attained with precious little to celebrate until the nation translated its potentials to dividends for citizens.
The Governor in his Independence broadcast on Friday titled “Nigeria at the crossroads” stated that citziens was presented with the challenge of being better stewards of our diversity, adding that our many tribes, religions and geopolitical differences was an advantages not available to many nations which lacked them.
He added that In many fields of endeavour from professional callings to sports careers, Nigeria has had a larger pool of human resources to draw from and have accordingly succeeded much more than many nations without similar privileges. However, the nation has had many times when it fell below her installed capacity in meeting the challenges of a rapidly advancing world.
Governor Bello reiterated the commitment of the New Direction Administration to continue building bridges that bring our people together.
He said “I have often and severely warned my officials at all levels to eschew divisiveness and encourage cooperation and integration among Kogites themselves and between Kogites and others as a cardinal objective of governance. As a result, we have had the pleasure, over the last six years, of seeing our diversity of tribes, religions, age, class, gender and ability working together in closer harmony than at any other time before to move our state forward.”
Governor Bello noted that the nation was faced with the challenge of finding more equitable models of security, unity, peace and shared prosperity to strengthen the very basis of her coexistence adding that this challenge would require intentional action by leaders and the led alike, particularly as we march towards a change of baton in our national leadership in 2023.
He acknowledged that It was self-evident that different sections of our citizenry, including the North Central, were making increasingly louder demands for equity, fairness and justice in the nation while putting forth their preferred perspectives of what that fair-play should look like
The Governor alluded that the present and the next Nigerian leadership must now accept the task of midwifing a solution that is generally acceptable without undermining the basic premises of our constitutionality.
Governor Bello in his address presented the Four Principal Pillars of Inclusiveness within the Nigerian context, to include; our constitutional guarantees of equality as citizens are binding on leaders irrespective of their personal beliefs, feelings and inclinations, equity, unity and the fear of God (are) the principal bedrocks of a diverse but egalitarian society.
He added that Inclusivity and equal access to government and her institutions are the inalienable right of all citizens and that affirmative Action was for every section of the populace and that Government was useless unless it ensures that wherever people are disadvantaged or excluded in our society, leadership was bound by law to take action to balance the scales.
‘My concept of a united Nigeria is not one where everyone is held down by force or fear, but a nation which guarantees all citizens security, unity and peace. It must be equitable and allow everyone to thrive on his own merits. Tribe, religion and class must not be used to discriminate against or marginalise anyone and civics must encourage cooperation and integration as a cardinal tenet of citizenship. We have to start substituting place of residence for state of origin and finding ways to immediately and brutally punish corruption in private and public spheres.’ He said
He added that ‘Our politics and leadership must transform into a service that ensures the quality of life is high despite social status while essential goods and services are affordable. Our local job markets must deliver jobs to people at their levels of learning, skills and experience.”
Governor Bello noted that the nation must have economic stability and be a family-friendly place where parents can raise the next generation well adding that we would require income equality, especially across the genders.
“A united Nigeria will thrive on political stability and social security. It also goes without saying that the quality of the public education system and that of the public health system must be high. Both must deliver free to affordable services. It is only then that people will belong because they want to, not because they must” he said
Governor Bello asserted that his government in Kogi State was founded on these principles and while it was still progressive, the state have journeyed a good part of the way.
He explained that kogi was the emerging paradigm for Cooperation and Integration as a basis for citizens’ co-existence instead of the previous divide and rule tactics which failed politicians and harmed citizens in the past a pardigm which according to him he hopedto expand and export to the larger Nigerian society as we march towards the critical Year 2023
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended his heartfelt felicitation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 73rd birthday.
Governor Ododo in statement signed by his special adviser on media, Ismaila Isah described President Tinubu as a statesman whose leadership and dedication to national development continue to inspire hope and progress across Nigeria.
He commended the President’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is driving economic reforms, strengthening national unity, and advancing the nation’s democratic values.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kogi State, I celebrate Mr President and our father on this special day. Your resilience, visionary leadership, and patriotism have laid a strong foundation for Nigeria’s growth. We deeply appreciate your tireless efforts in repositioning our country for sustainable development,” Governor Ododo stated.
He further reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration and prayed for continued wisdom, strength, and good health for the President as he leads Nigeria toward greater prosperity, sustainable development, peace and stability.
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