Kogi at 28: Governor Bello grades 314, presents staffs of office to 129 traditional chiefs »

A total of 314 traditional rulers have had their offices graded with 129 of them being presented with staff of office by Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to mark 28th years of creation of the state.

The presentation took place a moment ago on Tuesday at the Glass House of the state government house in Lokoja.

Breakdown analysis of the graded chiefs shows that though a total out of the 44 first class chiefs were upgraded to first class, only 19 had not had their staffs of office which was done today.

In the same vein, 27 second class rulers out of the 52 graded were presented with their staffs of office, while 218 chiefs were graded third class with 82 of them presented with their staffs of office.

Speaking after receiving his staff of office, the Oba of Yoruba Community in Lokoja, Alhaji Bello Audu-Oke expressed gratitude to the Governor for finding it necessary to present it to him.

He said the recognition was long overdue as the community had long expected the occasion following his appointment over a decade ago by former Governor, Late Prince Abubakar Audu.

“The Yoruba Community is extremely grateful. This is what we have been yearning for for a long time. This occasion is one that marks a new closer working relationship between our people in all parts of Lokoja and the government of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

“We have no doubt that his government is out to enhance unity and closer working relationship between among all the ethnoreligious collection that make up Lokoja and the state in general.”

The Oba pledged the commitment of himself and his subjects to the policies and programmes of the present administration, adding that he had resolved to mobilise them to work for the re – election of Governor Bello.