Christmas: Kogi CAN lauds Governor Bello for inter

The leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Kogi State has applauded the current administration of Governor Yahaya Bello for ensuring inter ethnic and religious unity among citizens of the state since assumption of office.

The Chairman of the state CAN, Bishop John Ibenu gave the commendation on Wednesday when he led other Christian leaders on a courtesy visit to commemorate 2019 Christmas celebration in the state.

Bishop Ibenu particularly praised Governor Bello for his continued support to all religious and ethnic groups which has given all of them senses of belonging in the Kogi Project, noting especially the completion of the brand new Government House Chapel, a first in the 28 years old state.

He said the project demonstrated the commitment of the Governor to ensuring the growth of the state and the harmonious relationship of various ethnic groups and religious bodies.

Bishop Ibenu used the occasion to congratulate the Governor and his Deputy, Chief Edward Onoja for their victory in the last governorship election in the state, and described the government as a divinely orchestrated one.

He said he was not surprised at the way the Governor is leading the state, noting that he could see the hands of God in its affairs and prayed for divine wisdom for the Governor to be able to pilot the affairs of the state.

The Kogi State CAN Chairman also applauded the consistency and promptness in the payment of salaries of the state civil servants, and appealed for improvement in the payment of salaries of Local Government workers.

He also urged the government to device means of tackling unemployment statistics among the youths, adding that there was need for the government to further improve its public communications to ensure people are adequately informed about its activities and to prevent fake news being disseminated against it especially on the social media.

In his reaction, the Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja who stood in for Governor Yahaya Bello expressed gratitude to the State CAN for the visit, wished it and the state a Merry Christmas and then asked the leadership to continue to pray for the administration.

According to Chief Onoja, the government is working on addressing all the issues raised by his guest and apologised for the absence of the Governor, whom he said was mourning the death of his elder sister, Hajiya Rabiyat Bello in whose honour the gathering had earlier observed a minute’s silence.

He said the government has under the last four years employed over 500 persons into the state civil service and was training about 1,500 youths and women to leverage on the agribusinesses that APPEALS provides.

Chief Onoja who promised that the second tenure of the administration would be better than the first term as they were prepared to do more for the people of Kogi State, informed them that Local Government workers faired better under the current administration which has upped the percentage being paid them.