Mystery behind failure of Ajaokuta revealed By Abdul Aji The daughter of Egbunu Bello, a.k.a. Akoko, owner of a mystery home at Geregu Camp, Madam Asana Kadiri, has said unless Akoko family is rehabilitated at burial place of their father, Ajaokuta Steel Company cannot be completed. In an exclusive interview with The Graphic newspaper, the woman who is the wife of the current Chief of Geregu village said her father died a year before the establishment of Ajaokuta Steel Company but left a message that his compound should not be left desolate, as doing so would affect the promising company. The 68 year old woman said her father has continued to appear to them till this day insisting that unless his compound flourishes with children, ASCO cannot flourish, no matter how the Federal Government tries. She advised Ebira people to shun the notion that rebuilding her father’s house is a ploy to give their land to the Igala people, saying that their action is impeding the progress of the steel company. She lamented that efforts was made to build the compound during the time of Engr. Philip Umunakwe and the family members were invited when the land was measured but nothing has been done till this day. She is calling on the elders of Ebira and Igala land to wake up and move for the rehabilitation of his father’s house, so that this gigantic company should not elude them, adding that her father’s wish cannot be ignored. However, a retired Public Relations Officer of ASCO, Mr. Stephen Ojomaje, who handled the matter during the era of Engr. Philip Umunakwe said Egbunu Akoko building plan along with a recreation centre that will be established near the house has being approved and work would soon commence.
Teachers turned out in large numbers at immigration recruitment By Abdul Aji Kogi State primary and secondary school teachers as well as a few other civil servants appeared for the just concluded Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment exercise in Lokoja. The Graphic correspondent who visited the Lokoja Township Stadium discovered that most of the applicants sighted were some persons who are dissatisfied with their present employment and are seeking federal appointment. A primary school teacher who spoke with The Graphic said the teaching profession has been relegated to the background and has to seek every opportunity to get out of it, adding that he had not received his January 2014 salary at the time of the recruitment exercise.
Many of the applicants who turned up could not participate in the screening exercise as HND holders were turned back or forced to use their ND certificates while some others got discouraged as a result of the multitude they met. Many others could not gain access to the examination question papers that was mostly shred into pieces by applicants struggling for it from the hands of immigration officers. The township stadium could not contain the over 30, 000 applicants that came for the exercise of which only 5,000 persons would be recruited nationwide. (with pix).
Boys Brigade inaugurates State Vice President By Samuel Ilani, Idah The principal of Dickson Memorial Collage, Idah, Comrade Abraham Oguche, has been inducted as the State Vice President by the Kogi East chapter of the Nigerian Boys Brigade, following his investiture by the national headquarters of the brigade at Lokoja. Comrade Oguche has been honoured for his outstanding performance in uplifting the advancement of Christ Kingdom among boys and girls brigade in the state. The state Secretary of the brigade, Elder Sunday Audu, who coordinated the programme expressed satisfaction with the turnout of the various companies of the brigade and encouraged them to keep the banner flying. In a chat with The Graphic reporter shortly after the occasion, the new state vice president of the Boys Brigade, Deacon Abraham Oguche thanked God almighty for the privilege given him to serve in this capacity and solicited the cooperation and support of all in order to move the company forward. On the issue of boys and girls dropping out of the brigade after secondary school, Oguche expressed disappointment, saying there is no age barrier in the service of the Lord. He said, “If persons like Justice Tom Yakubu are still members of the brigade, then all secondary school leavers should understand that age and status does not affect membership”. He advised the various companies of the brigade in Kogi State to wake up and join hands with him in the task of advancing God’s kingdom in the area.
Idah old council hall renovated and commissioned By Samuel Ilani, Idah The old hall of Idah Local Government Council has been completed and commissioned by the chairman of the council, Hon. Major Musa, with a promise to pay more attention to the overall transformation of the council area.
Commissioning the council hall at Idah recently, Dr. Musa, thanked the Forum of Special Assistants in his office who were put in charge of the project, for ensuring a quality job. He called on the people of his council to join hands with his government in order to move the local government to a greater height, adding that he is committed to human and infrastructural development of the area. Earlier, the chairman of the forum, Comrade Omede Peter, thanked the chairman for the opportunity given to his forum to serve in his government. Omede mentioned the achievements of Dr. Major to include establishment of bee farm, provision of basic items for NYSC as well as construction of two blocks of modern toilet for corpers. The electrification of Ugbetulu, construction of road culverts at Ede Okpotoku and renovation of market stalls at Ega Market, among others, he said are some of the developmental activities of Dr. Major. According to the forum leader, Dr. Musa Major’s developmental strides are unprecedented in the history of Idah Local council.