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Monday, January 25, 2021
Friday, January 22, 2021
DG GOVERNMENT HOUSE ATTENDS THE 3RD DAY FIRDAU PRAYER OF HAJIA HADIZA ENEYIMOH BELLO
Saturday, January 16, 2021
THE PIGEONS THAT FLEW AND THE ONES THAT FLEW NOT ~BALOGUN OMEIZA DAVID (BOD)
THE PIGEONS THAT FLEW AND THE ONES THAT FLEW NOT
By Balogun Omeiza David (BOD), Lokoja.
January 15th of every year is set aside as The Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD). It is a day Nigerians set aside to celebrate and commemorate the service men of Nigerian Armed Forces. It also honours veterans of the World War l and ll as well as the Nigerian Civil War. This year's edition of the AFRD has come and gone but a particular scene that happened at the event that is not the first time it is happening has engulfed the social media.
The pigeon is one of the several birds of the family Columbidae which consists more than 300 species. They are a specially domesticated bird like the hen, cock, duck and the guinea fowl. They like freedom and mainly black and white in colour. The white pigeon is known to many as a bird that brings good omen. Some however waves this aside to be a superstitious believe. I wanted agreeing with those who hung their believes that the pigeon is not as important a bird as we are made to believe by some people when suddenly I ran into a scripture in the Bible. The book of Luke 2:22-24 told us of how according to the law of Moses after the completion of the days of purification, they brought Jesus up to Jerusalem. A sacrifice of two young pigeons followed them to the temple. This made me to believe to a point that the pigeon or dove are truly not ordinary birds as the Holy Spirit that is to teach us all things is also depicted to be a dove or pigeon like bird. I was privileged to be discussing with an elderly man who had many pigeons and were always flying and hovering over his roof and entire compound. The pigeons in this man's house were mainly whitish in colour. He told me that aside the joy he derives in seeing them flying and also their cooing sound he enjoyed so much, they are also a kind of bird that instead of them allowing any evil to befall you their owner, one of them will drop dead.
Let it be known to us that the ritual of releasing doves or white pigeons is to commemorate the life of a departed loved one that is why it is common during funerals or memorials. It also signifies a sign of peace each time they are released. As I earlier said, pigeons loves to be free as they are always fond flying around and returning back to their nests. In fact, the male and female pigeons that happens to be husband and wife takes turn to incubate their eggs. That is why domesticated pigeons who are used to living in cages are not always keen on flying whenever they are released for such purpose. This is exactly what happened to President Muhammed Buhari (PMB) at the National Arcade when he picked one of the pigeons, threw it into the air but rather than flying, the bird landed on top of the cage. PMB was eager to see the pigeons fly so, he totally opened the roof of the cage in a quest to send them all out and flying but the pigeons remained recalcitrant and decided to sit atop of the cage's roof. With no option left for PMB, he returns to his seat. Funny enough, some of the pigeons flew away from the cage after PMB left. This was what set social media platforms on fire as people began to read different meanings to the pigeons that refused to fly as if they held a meeting to spite PMB on a special day as the AFRD.
What happened to PMB at the National Arcade at the Eagle Square is not something new. In 2014, the Vatican city in Rome where you have the Pope stopped the ritual of releasing doves for special events when we were made to understand that Pope Francis released two birds that refused to fly out of the window of the Papal apartment. Several attempts had to be made to make the pigeons fly to the amazement of large crowd of worshippers gathered for worship. Still in 2014, President Goodluck Jonathan freed some pigeons and they also refused to make use of their wings. This particular action of the refusal of the pigeons to fly was perched on by Revd. Fr. Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu as he described this act to mean that God has abandoned Jonathan. I still stand by the fact that caged birds hardly will fly immediately they are released from the cage. They will surely have their dull moments before they spread their feathery wings to fly.
As PMB and the issue of the non flying pigeons in Abuja were making the headlines, some people digressed and started asking if the pigeon(s) in Kogi State also flew. These set of people from other states in Nigeria were much concerned about His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State. They have always seen PMB as the father of Bello. On a daily basis, Bello's matter continues to ring a bell in their ears. Those asking this question were not even concerned about their own state governor's pigeon whether theirs flew or not but Bello was their concern. Our pigeon in Kogi State as released by our governor actually flew into the air God designed it to always fly and show to humanity its own part of God's wonders of creation. Our pigeon likes freedom of movement and flight as that is what makes it get its daily bread. Our pigeon did not want to be locked down because of any strange disease called COVID-19. The pigeon in Kogi State was well aware that the hand it was been released from was the hand of the singular governor in Nigeria who never bowed to the idea of caging people at home all in the name of a so called pandemic that has crippled the economic, education and religious activities and what have you. The dove knew the coast was safe for it to fly and land whenever it so desires. We all know the no nonsense approach Bello has shown towards security in Kogi State. Those who argued on social media spaces that the pigeons at the National Arcade refused to fly because of the prevalent insecurity in the country that has led to the loss of many lives may not be wrong. It is their opinion and they have a right to express it. We may also want to know when the decision of the pigeons to fly when they are meant to do so at any given event signifies peace and tranquility in the land.
The pigeons have come out clearly to symbolize the old and new order. It was as if the pigeons in Abuja and the ones in Lokoja actually held a meeting to make known the minds of Nigerians over 2023. Never again will Nigerians allow old men in their seventies or eighties rule them. Never again will Nigerians allow men are sick bodily as a result of old age coast to victory in any election. Never again will thuggery or godfatherism hold sway in our political environment. Never again will an old wine skin be allowed to mingle with a he wine skin. PMB is our President till 2023. No evil will befall him. He will not die. Fine, he is old and prone to sickness but each time he falls sick, God will surely heal him again. He may not have performed to our expectations but wishing him dead will never be a thought that will cross my mind. God owns our lives and only Him knows when He will ring the closing bell for each and everyone here on earth.
Most importantly, let us all be aware that the pigeon that flew effortlessly in Lokoja is not without a meaning. Our own Bello has shown interest in contesting for the Presidency in 2023 and on his hands the pigeon(s) flew and graciously spreads its wing in joyful flight. May God allow us all to see the glory of Nigeria we have always prayed for. The biblical Noah released the raven bird from the ark they were all hiding for it to survey the level of the water that God used in wiping away the world. This raven bird hovered over the waters until the water was dry and safe for Noah and others to walk on dry land. Bello released a bird on Friday the 15th of January, 2021 and it has flown. May it bring news of soft landing for his desired ambition.
Friday, January 8, 2021
Former Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris Inspects Newly Built Anyigba Central Mosque.
Former Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris Inspects Newly Built Anyigba Central Mosque.
.....Commends Contractors On Job Specifications.
Ex-Kogi Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris says his decision to contribute his quota to the development of Mosques, is borne out of improving the moral and spiritual well being of the society.
The former Governor dropped this hint while on inspection tour of the Multi million naira central mosque built and donated by him to Anyigba Community.
Alhaji Ibrahim Idris assured the Muslim Community in Anyigba that the project will be completed and commission this year.
He urged the muslims in the Community to protect the sacred house under construction, saying it is only spiritual rejuvenation that can assist this country recover it's lost glory.
Alhaji Ibrahim Idris noted that a sound moral and spiritual standard will guarantee self sustenance and self-realisation of our potentials.
He promised not to relent in his efforts to support religious Houses, so as to propagate more morals and good living.
The former Governor was welcomed by Ogohi Anyigba, Chief Imam Anyigba Central mosque, including the Christian community.
Saturday, January 2, 2021
Hon. Halidu Celebrates And Eulogises Chief Asuku on His Birthday, Describes Him As A Hope for the Hopeless.
Hon. Halidu Celebrates And Eulogises Chief Asuku on His Birthday, Describes Him As A Hope for the Hopeless.
The Senior Special Assistant on Youths and Women Mobilization has on behalf of his family and the good people of Okene and Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency congratulated the selfless, youthful, useful and humanitarian Pharmacist Abdulkareem Jamiu Asuku, the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello as he witness another year on earth today.
In his birthday message released through his media crew, he described the celebrant as the "Hope for the hopeless".
Hon. Halidu lauded the efforts of the Chief of Staff for his foundation, Pharmacist Abdulkareem Asuku Youths Empowerment Foundation (PAAYEF) that had liberated many lives and produces many graduates in kogi state and Nigeria at large.
Hon Halidu added that Cheif Asuku is the first politician who have secured jobs for his secondary school mates and also enrolled the ones that are yet to get job into his personal payroll.
"Chief Asuku is a modern pro-people leader who epitomizes love and development for his people and Country. He has exhibited uncommon wisdom, remarkable, vision and exemplary style of leadership cum being a role model and example of selfless giver to this generation." Hon. Halidu added
Undoubtedly, January 2nd is a special day. It is a day that God created one of the youths leading light and empowered him with courage, mass development initiatives, political and leadership capacity, love for his people and willingness to sacrifice for the good of his people. It is a day that God had sent Hon Abdulkareem Asuku to be one of the major pilots of this generation. Hon. Halidu admonished.
Today, we can say we are proud to mark the Chief of Staff as someone worthy to emulate in kogi state and Nigeria at large.
We pray that Allah bless his new age with abundances Rahama and grant him all that his heart desires.
Once again, Happy Birthday Sir!
Hon. Halidu Media Team
Friday, January 1, 2021
Comrade M.I. Onimisi The C.E.O. Of Ebira Unity TV and A Public Affairs Analyst Wishes Nigerians A Sumptuous New Year.
Comrade M.I. Onimisi The C.E.O. Of Ebira Unity TV and A Public Affairs Analyst Wishes Nigerians A Sumptuous New Year.
May we succeed where no one else has succeeded before, may we fail when it will help us to learn a new lesson, and may we triumph over our failures and rise to ultimate success! It's a great privileged from God; for us to be part of another new year, not because we are powerful, not because we are special or for anything but by God's grace .
I declare and I decree that year 2021 will be a year of our upliftment, accomplishment and execution of monumental projects for us and a year of more opportunities and harmonizing progressive ideas.
I am here to wish my fellow Nigerians and the entire world a happy New year, I also want to use this social opportunity to pray and seek for eternal repose from Almighty God for those whom we started the year 2020 with but unfortunately they couldn't end it with us.
I urge everyone of us to put love as priority in every of our respective activities as we celebrate the year 2021, taking our time to learn from our past mistakes and improve more on our strength in the year 2021.
I am also appealing to all of us to stand as peace ambassadors, let’s learn to disconnect ourselves from every ungodly act, let set goals for the year 2021; I mean a solid and progressive plans or offer products or invest in vibrant projects that will not only help you achieving a strong financial status but also help your society in general.
New year, new ideas, new mindset, new creativity and new strategy that will help us accomplish our set goals in 2021, as we have only two options in taking decision, it is left for us to decide on either to become a "liability or an an asset".
Signed
Comrade M. I. Onimisi
C.E.O. EUT And Public Affair Analysts
Saturday, December 26, 2020
Thuggery claims against Ex-Governor Ibro: Austin Okai stop spreading fake news already
Thuggery claims against Ex-Governor Ibro: Austin Okai stop spreading fake news already
.....call your attack dog, Odih Daniel Nuhu, to order
By Issa Itopa Lucky
Recently, I read a review about Governor Yahaya Bello's recent interview with Channels TV. The review was carried in Observers Times, a media outfit owned by Austin Okai. Much as I have no problem with the reviews, the part number 4 where the reviewer by name Odih Daniel Nuhu crossed the lines of decency by claiming that Ex-Governor Ibrahim Idris sponsored thugs, is not just sad but worthy of condemnation. Such opinion shows how uninformed and rather misguided the Odih Daniel Nuhu of a person is, about facts.
Ordinarily, one would have expected that Austin Okai, the owner of Observers Times will put the publication to scrutiny before putting it out, especially at a time now that we are faced with the war with fake news as a nation, but then, because Austin Okai is a known party to fake news itself, he decided to bring low the bar of journalism and allow such misinformation to fly on his medium.
This does not however come to me as a surprise. Any keen observer of the politics of Kogi State will state without hesitation that Austin Okai himself has become a champion in the art of rubbing in the mud the name of the Ibro family as he finds need to so entertain himself and his gullible followers; as he wishes to take turns and filter the media with misinformation about the Ibro family, today it is Ex-Governor Ibrahim Idris, tomorrow it is the son, Abubakar Ibrahim, next week he turns the queue around and continue to attack the family on media unend, seeing how peaceful and peace-loving the Ibro family and the Ibro political family is.
Without probing far, the word of caution is simple, Austin Okai should call his latest attack dog named Odih Daniel Nuhu, to order. This is as Austin Okai, the publisher and owner of the Observers Times is by the baseless and inciting anti-Ibro publication, complicit as publisher, in the spread of such fake news, hence this publication seeks to caution Austin Okai, to put a stop to the constant art of dragging the good name of baba Ibro in the mud.
This constant anti-Ibro media attack tactics has never worked. This very anti-Ibro tactics alone cost the PDP that Austin claimed to be passionate about, the Kogi 2019 Governorship election.
One expects that Austin Okai and his co-travellers ought to have learnt already from the mistakes that led to the loss of Kogi State to the APC in the 2019 Governorship election and as such, they ought to start learning how to respect elders and leaders than to be railroading leaders who clearly made the way for them to even be the best they ever have been today.
Very importantly, Austin Okai and his co-travellers must learn that it is entirely unethical to abuse leaders, especially the person of Ex-Governor Ibrahim Idris, considering what good Ex-Governor Ibrahim Idris has done both in office and even many years after leaving office, in terms of fighting crime, provision of infrastructure, human empowerment and even State and nation-building.
Therefore wherever Austin Okai and his co-travellers find His Excellency Ex-Governor Ibrahim Idris, sponsoring thugs at any point in time, they ought to fear the possibility of lawsuit being brought against them for defamation of character, even to the extent of that of the person of an elder statesman like His Excellency Ibrahim Idris.
Ex-Governor Ibrahim Idris may not have an active media but that does not mean his good name and that of his family and that of the Ibro political family is open to any form of media attacks from anybody as there still remain some of us who are witnesses to Ex-Governor Ibro's good and we would not hesitate to respond immediately via the same media where the Ibro political brand or name is made a subject of bad perception.
Issa Itopa Lucky writes from Okene, Kogi State.
26th December 2020
Monday, December 14, 2020
ORALF DECIDE2020: Oricha To Rebrand Okehi Apex Forum
ORALF DECIDE2020: Oricha To Rebrand Okehi Apex Forum
My Fellow ORALF Members...
December 14, 2020
PREAMBLES:
In the immortal words of the 1984 Nobel peace price award, Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu, he said and I quote “Do your little bit of good where you are; its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world”.
Okehi Reawakening Leadership Forum (ORALF) as the apex socio-cultural platform which accommodates all sons and daughters of Okehi LGA has become a safe haven and our home, and we must collectively do good to sail her through the turbulence that natural comes with such an elite fora. Giving the prevailing circumstances we find ourselves in the world today, the onus is, however, bent on us to deliver quality leadership via service to those who’d freely give us their mandates.
It is on the above premise that I, DAVID ORICHA EMMANUEL, Respectfully and humbly submits myself to serve you in the capacity of the PRESIDENT of ORALF.
One of my principal philosophy in life is to see that as humans, we collectively #MOVE towards greater heights. I believe that I, Oricha, is first all a Nigerian before anything else, by extension, first, an Okehi born before political and religious inclinations.
Having said these, myself and my team shall base our campaign menifesto into four (4) major cardinal points.
PEACE
UNITY
PROGRESS
OKEHI FIRST
THE ISSUES
PEACE: simply put as “freedom from disturbance ”. If you support me to lead this noble platform, it is in our general interest for me to lead an aggressive campaign to mend our broken fences, and chart a pathway to a greater ORALF that will bear positive fruits in Okehi at large.
UNITY: with peace comes UNITY, UNITY of purpose that defines our future as a people. Despite our various uniqueness in diversity; it is our greatest asset as a people. Once we are able to UNITE, there shall be no force strong enough to tear us apart as a people.
PROGRESS: “Forward and onward movement towards a destination”. If you elect me your president; I shall spearhead the movements towards achieving peace and Unity with the responsibility of serving you. Only through genuine peace and unity comes PROGRESS. We shall by our many inclusive policies drive a sustainable progress of ORALF in a bid to translate such to the bigger picture ( OKEHI)
My team and I have outlined our road map towards achieving a progressive ORALF with our 2R&G
REBRAND. REPOSITION, and GROWTH
REBRAND: In the process of REBRANDING, one thing is sure; that as your president, I shall move quickly to transform ORALF into an organization with physical structures and presence
- How do we hope to achieve this?: in my first 100 days as president, ORALF shall have a physical and structured office in Okehi LGA, to be sponsored by my very myself.
- We shall have a working templates to generate a workable and comprehensive database for all ORALF members.
- We shall move to have a working bank accounts for ORALF where all the necessary executives shall be signatory to the account for accountability.
- We shall publish statements of account to ORALF for auditing and transparency.
REPOSITION: We shall work with relevant and critical stakeholders to reposition ORALF to set her on the path of success.
- we shall strategically place our members to access scholarships and grants from relevant institutions.
- We shall from time to time organize sensitization programs to prepare our members for the challenges of the 21st century.
- We shall propose a certain Percentage of ORALF income to be channeled into assisting the needy in our community at large.
GROWTH : Under my watch as president, ORALF shall grow into a forum to be reckoned with Nationwide. I shall tap into my wealth of experience with the help of the Executives and my network within and outside the country to project ORALF and make it an envy of all other Fora.
OKEHI FIRST: We shall move quickly to re-engineer and rewire our thought pattern to first of all see ourselves as members of ORALF by virtue of being an Okehi born before anything else.
Under my watch, myself and my team shall work hard to eschew any form of sentiments, be it political, religious and (or) clan to achieve a UNITY OF PURPOSE THAT WILL CREATE GOOD LEGACIES THAT WILL OUTLIVE US IN FUTURE TO COME.
Once again, I urge you all to join #WeMove ORALF forward and vote for me, so we can collectively achieve an ORALF for all. Thank you
DAVID, ORICHA EMMANUEL
ORALF PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANT 2020.
Sunday, December 13, 2020
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN STUDENTS EXPRESS SHOCK AND DEVASTATION OVER THE DEATH OF DR. SAM Nda ISAIAH.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN STUDENTS EXPRESS SHOCK AND DEVASTATION OVER THE DEATH OF DR. SAM Nda ISAIAH.
We received with great shock and devastation, the death of Dr Sam Nda Isaiah , the Publisher of Leadership News Paper.
Sam Nda Isaiah's contribution to national development and an undying quest for youth advancement were parallel to none.
The National Association of Nigerian Students condole with the family , friends, well wishers and the leadership newspaper in the spirit that the deceased as left indelible prints on the sands of time.
- COMRADE SUNDAY ADEDAYO ASEFON , PRESIDENT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN STUDENTS
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
I KNOW WHAT KOGI STATE STUDENTS GO THROUGH” – COMRADE BABANGIDA ONIMISI
Thursday, December 3, 2020
Terrorism: Hold APC Responsible For Killings ~PDP
December 3, 2020
Press Statement
Terrorism: Hold APC Responsible For Killings ~PDP
…Exposes How APC Leaders, Govt. Encouraged Terrorism
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked Nigerians to hold officials of the Buhari Presidency and the anti-people All Progressives Congress (APC) responsible for the festering violence and incessant killing of innocent Nigerians by terrorists.
The PDP asserts that the confession by the Buhari administration that our nation, under its watch, is at the mercy of terrorists, is self indicting; being the outcome of the overt and covert support given to terrorists by some unpatriotic APC leaders for their selfish interests.
The PDP recalls how the APC chieftain, as opposition leaders in the APC as well the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), openly showed sympathy to terrorists and took steps that frustrated genuine efforts by the then PDP government to fight terrorism.
Nigerians can recall how in 2013, APC leaders, then as ACN leaders, declared the proscription of terrorist groups in Nigeria as unconstitutional and even demanded that terrorists be accorded VIP treatment and should be brought to Abuja for negotiation in private jets; a development that sparked public apprehensions of their suspected links with terrorist groups.
The PDP further recalls how the APC, as opposition, went on propaganda war to frustrate government’s effort towards procurement of weapons to fight terrorists, with some of them, who are now governors and ministers, accusing then Federal government of seeking to use the weapons to kill opposition members.
The role played by APC leaders to frustrate the purchase of weapon through South Africa connection is still fresh in the minds of Nigerians.
Nigerians can also recall how the APC deployed negative propaganda to scuttle efforts by the Jonathan administration to bring in mercenaries that would have assisted in the anti-terrorism war.
Nigerians would also recall how these APC leaders truncated the training of the elite troops in Belarus by claiming that they were being trained as snipers to kill opposition members before the 2015 general election.
Our party also recalls how, ahead of the 2015 elections, the APC leaders encouraged hoodlums to fight against the system, with one of them, who is now a minister, emboldening hoodlums and insurgents to resist our security agencies with machine guns.
Even in government, the APC administration has failed to effectively equip our security forces, as recently confirmed by its officials, thereby jeopardizing the lives of our gallant troops fighting in the fronts, while the Commander-in-chief, who promised to lead from the fronts, continue to issue unhelpful rhetorics from the safety and comfort of the Presidential villa.
The public can recall how the APC Federal Government and APC governors have been making excuses for terrorists, negotiating with, and even paying and pampering the killers of our compatriots.
Nigerians also know how the APC administration had declared these marauders and bandits as deserters from Gaddafi’s army and yet ask Nigerians not to fight back but accommodate them as neighbors.
Such subtle support for terrorism was witnessed in the bizarre attempt by the APC-led administration to blame the 43 innocent Nigerians beheaded by terrorists in Borno state on Saturday.
Moreover the APC has failed to account for thousands of thugs and hoodlums it imported into our country to unleash violence on Nigerians during the 2015 and 2019 election; many of who are feared to be part of the bandits and marauders ravaging our nation today.
The APC should end its hide and seek and come clean on its connection with the escalated activities of terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and killers in our country.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
PDP: Reconciliation Committee Did Not Threaten Party
December 3, 2020
Press Statement
PDP: Reconciliation Committee Did Not Threaten Party
Our attention has been drawn to a misleading and mischievous report in certain section of the media suggesting that members of the newly inaugurated PDP National Reconciliation and Strategic Committee issued threats to the National Working Committee on issues related to its assignment.
The said publication also sought to create an erroneous impression that the committee is ill at ease with certain stakeholders of the party.
This report is completely malicious and we are aware that it is a calculated attempt by external interests to cause confusion, inject bad blood into our rank, subvert the committee and ultimately distract our great party from our unrelenting stand in providing credible opposition to rescue our nation from misrule.
Our party is also aware of various other plots by these external interests, who are uncomfortable with the unity, stability and willpower within our party as the only credible platform for all Nigerians in their rekindled determination to work together for the task ahead.
The PDP assures all Nigerians that the National Reconciliation and Strategic Committee only sought for and enjoys the support of all party organs and stakeholders including the National Working Committee, the National Executive Committee, the Board of Trustees, the PDP Governors’ Forum, the National Assembly Caucus among others.
We therefore urge those seeking to plant a seed of discord within our rank to note that they are fighting a lost battle as our party will never be distracted from the task vested on us by Nigerians who now look up to the PDP for direction and solution at this critical time.
Furthermore, the PDP urges media gatekeepers to be more circumspect and always crosscheck the facts before going to press.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary