Governor Bello, Onoja sworn in, announces new commissioners

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and his deputy, Chief Edward Onoja have been formally inaugurated into office for second term of office in Lokoja following their November 16th 2019 gubernatorial triumph.

The inauguration which took place at the Government House on Monday marked the beginning of the final term for the incumbent governor of the state.

In his address, the Governor expressed gratitude to the people of the state for their support to him and his APC party, and promised to justify the mandate by working assiduously for the growth of the state.

He used the occasion to applaud his deputy, Chief Edward Onoja, members of his family, especially his mother and the recently deceased sister, Hajiya Rabiyat Bello, late Prince Abubakar Audu, members of his cabinet, traditional rulers and the entire citizens for the key roles they had played in his life.

The Governor was particularly generous with praise for Prince Audu who he said laid the foundation for a robust governnace as first Executive Governor of the State, adding that he built the APC into a formidable political force in Kogi State.

Governor Bello described his own family as a closely – knit unit which spends a lot of time together, hence his gratitude for their patience, and sacrifice since his foray into politics.

Earlier in his opening address, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pharmacist Abdulkarim Asuku had applauded the current administration’s commitment to peaceful coexistence of the various ethnic groups within Kogi, noting that it was an unquantifiable feat that has ensured the people saw themselves as one irrespective of ethnicity and religion.

The Chief of Staff expressed gratitude to the people of the state for their show of love and support for the government despite the daunting challenges it had faced in the beginning and promised the commitment of the administration to improve citizens’ welfare.

In a similar development, the Governor has announced that Kogi State’s Bureau of Information and Grassroots Sensitization would be upgraded to a full fledged ministry and has nominated some members of the immediate past cabinet and new faces to be inaugurated on Wednesday, 29th January, 2020 to form his second term cabinet.

The list of those nominated into the incoming cabinet include the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Mrs Ayoade Arike; the Chief of Staff, Pharmacist Abdulkarim Asuku Jamiu; The Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon Sunday Faleke; Hon Kingsley Fanwo; Barrister Mohammed Sani Ibrahim (SAN) and Hon Asiwaju Asiru Idris.

Also nominated are Hon Abubakar Ohere; David Apeh; Hon Joseph Baron Okwoli; Idris Musa; Hon Wemi Jones; Isah Idachaba; Barrister Deedat Ozigi; Fatima Buba Umar; Haruna Saka Audu; Hon Omofaye Adewale Victor; Daniel Ejigbo and Hon Gabriel Olofu.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshomole; the minister of transportation, Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi; the minister of sports; Governors; political office holders, senior political figures, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and women groups among others.