Yahaya Bello

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Yahaya Bello
YahayaBello.jpg
Governor of Kogi State
Assumed office
January 27, 2016 (2016-01-27)
DeputyEdward David Onoja
Preceded byIdris Wada
Personal details
Born (1975-06-18) June 18, 1975 (age 46)
Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
Spouse(s)
List
Alma materAhmadu Bello University
Occupation
  • Politician
  • businessman

Yahaya Adoza Bello (born June 18, 1975) is a Nigerian politician, businessman, and the current Governor of Kogi State.[1][2]

Early life and education[edit]

Bello was born June 18, 1975 in Okene, Kogi State, the youngest of six children.[3] He attended Local Government Education Authority (Nigeria) (LGEA) Primary School, Agassa in Okene LGA beginning in 1984. He was named as a class prefect of class two and was made the school Head Boy in class six.[4] He attended high school at Agassa Community Secondary School, Anyava, Agassa-Okene and obtained his Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination (JSSCE) and Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) certificates from Government Secondary School, Suleja-Niger State in 1994.[4] Bello studied at Kaduna State Polytechnic Zaria in 1995 and obtained an accounting degree from Ahmadu Bello University ABU Zaria in 1999. Yahaya Bello further enrolled for a Masters program in Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria where he obtained Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in 2002. Bello became a chartered fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria in 2004.[4] Overtime, Alhaji Yahaya Bello mastered the art of stock trading and had a financial breakthrough right before the crash of the stock market. His stock portfolio investments cut across oil and gas, finance, transportation, and agro-related sectors. He then grew and expanded his real estate investments expanding into a number of states in the country.

It is worthy to note that his various businesses helped facilitate job opportunities for a number of unemployed graduates and youth particularly Kogi State indigenes.

Alhaji Yahaya Bello has embarked on several acts of philanthropy. He funds three orphanage homes and sponsors hundreds of Kogi State undergraduates in various higher institutions both within and outside the country. His need for community development inspired him to invest in various community projects. [5]

Governor Bello is a lover of sport and fitness, especially boxing.[6]

Political career[edit]

He began his political journey by joining other progressive young men and women to form Kogi Youth Arise Group. This group threw its weight behind the candidature of Buhari/Osinbajo in the last presidential election. This group was also responsible for mobilizing youths across the 239 wards in the State in support of President Buhari. [7]

Bello was declared winner of the 2015 Kogi gubernatorial election after he was chosen on the platform of the All Progressives Congress as the replacement for the late Abubakar Audu who originally won the election but died before the result was declared.[8][9][10] On 16 November 2019, Bello was elected to a second term after he defeated PDP nominee Musa Wada by over 200,000 votes.[11] Bello is the youngest governor in Nigeria and the only governor to be born after the Nigerian Civil War.[12]

Controversies[edit]

Electoral fraud, incitements to violence, and US visa ban[edit]

On the September 14, 2020, Bello was among a list of politicians placed on visa ban by the United States Department of State for undermining democracy in Nigeria.[13][14] While activists praised the decision and called on other developed nations to impose similar bans, Bello accused the United States of partisanship and claimed the 2019 Kogi State gubernatorial election was mostly peaceful and fair.[15][16] Despite his claims, the election had significant reports of violence and fraud along with claims that Bello incited the violence with a 'ta-ta-ta-ta' chant that imitated the sound of gunfire.[17][18]

COVID-19 denial and opposition to vaccines[edit]

At various points during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bello either falsely claimed the virus was 'an artificial creation' or simply denied the virus' existence while his state government suppressed testing and fought with the NCDC to keep case numbers artificially low.[19][20] Bello also refused to wear a mask at public events, including after a Governors' meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari and at the funeral for Tolulope Arotile.[21] At memorial prayers for Kogi State Chief Judge Nasir Ajanah, who died of COVID-19 on 28 June 2020, Bello falsely claimed that Ajanah had not died of COVID-19 and said "whether medical experts and scientists, believe it or not, COVID-19 is out to shorten the lifestyle of the people, it is a disease propagated by force for Nigerians to accept."[22] In October 2020, Bello said that he had rejected a ₦1.1 billion support fund for Kogi State from the World Bank because of his belief that COVID-19 is a “glorified malaria”. He also said that “I rejected the World Bank fund because I do not believe in COVID-19. Even the five cases reported in Kogi State is an NCDC creation." This claim was despite his own admission that Kogi State had already received ₦1 billion from the Federal Government for COVID-19 recovery.[23] In his 2020 New Year's Eve address, Bello dismissed the rising second wave of COVID in Nigeria, saying "we remain determined as a government not to respond to the highly controversial second wave with mass hysteria" and claimed that Kogi was "coronavirus-free.[24]" This statement was as Kogi State still was not conducting tests and therefore not finding cases. Bello opposes vaccinations, contrary to the scientific consensus that vaccines are safe and effective. During the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations, Bello falsely claimed that vaccine makers “want to...introduce the disease that will kill you, God forbid” and refused to take the COVID-19 vaccine.[25][26] These comments were shown as an example of purposeful misinformation around vaccines and led to widespread condemnation, including by the Nigeria Governors' Forum.[27]


Fake Honorary Professorship scandal[edit]

In April 2021, Bello claimed to have received a Honorary Professorship in "Humanitarian services, Human Resources Management, Peace Building" from the St Thomas-a-Becket University according to Kogi State Commissioner for Information Kingsley Fanwo.[28] However, investigation by Sahara Reporters found that the St Thomas-a-Becket University neither awards recognised UK degrees nor has any courses in humanitarian services, human resources management, and/or peace building.[29]


Corruption allegations[edit]

Security fund and office renovation[edit]

In his first few days as Governor, Bello approved the spending of a total of ₦260 million in security funds in multiple installments. On his first day (January 27, 2016), Permanent Secretary in the Government House Ilemona John requested approval for spending ₦15 million in security funds and Bello approved it two days later; on February 2, John requested approval for another ₦20 million in security funds and Bello approved it on the same day. On February 3, John again requested approval for spending, asking for ₦5 million as the security fund "has just been exhausted" with Bello approving it on the same day. Later on February 3, John asked for ₦20 million to "replenish" the fund and Bello granted immediate approval. Finally, on February 8, John requested ₦100 million twice with Bello immediately approving the spending both times. Bello also approved over ₦148 million for the furnishing and renovation of the Governor's office at the Government House. On February 1, 2016, John requested approval for ₦99,983,994 for the renovation with Bello immediately approving the spending. The next month, on March 4, John again requested approval for spending, asking for ₦48,593,250 to pay "for additional works on the renovation/furnishing and maintenance of the governor’s office at Kogi Government House." Bello's administration also awarded Maj Global Construction Company a ₦1.4 billion contract for the "Remodelling and Rehabilitation of Government House Structures;" in 2020, Maj Global Construction Company Managing Director Michel Abboud claimed that the Bello administration had not paid ₦726 million despite full completion.[30][31] Kogi State Commissioner for Information Kingsley Fanwo claimed the large and rapid spending was needed due to insecurity in Kogi State while the large renovation costs were needed to make the Government House habitable. Fanwo later said, "the Governor Yahaya Bello administration is contractually committed to fighting corruption and enthroning transparency in the polity."[32] In 2020, Fanwo denied that Kogi State owed Maj Global Construction Company any more than ₦100 million.


2016 Kogi in Action and Egalitarian Mission for Africa accusations[edit]

Soon after entering the gubernatorial office, Bello and his administration was accused of corruption by the socio-political groups, Kogi in Action and Egalitarian Mission for Africa. The groups claimed to have sent information to the EFCC on alleged “fictitious withdrawals and evidence of contracts inflation” by the Bello administration in 2016. Kogi in Action spokesman Majeed Abdullahi said that “EMA furnished the EFCC with details of executive recklessness on the part of the governor and his agents” and expressed concern over the agency's alleged inaction.[33]


2021 Budget allocations[edit]

In February 2021, scrutiny of the Kogi State Budget 2021 uncovered scores of mentions of COVID-19, a virus Bello falsely claimed did not exist and refused to combat with countermeasures. Not only did the budget mention COVID-19, it allocated billions of naira to various COVID-19 countermeasures from "E-health COVID-19 response" to "e-learning programme (COVID-19 palliative for students in JSS 3 and SSS 3)" along with ₦9.7 billion allocated for simply "COVID-19." Fanwo did not return requests for comment on the budget anomalies as some accused Bello's administration of corruption via the "COVID-19" allocations.[34] In total, at least ₦16.8 billion was allocated to fund COVID-19 countermeasures.[35] Later investigation by the Premium Times showed over ₦2.6 billion was allocated for agriculture-related COVID mitigation programs, however, interviewed farmers claimed that no assistance was offered to them by the state government. Babaniyi Asorose, a farmer and Lokoja coordinator of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, said that Lokoja seed and fertiliser distribution was discontinued the day after federal Minister of Agriculture Sabo Nanono opened the Kogi State distribution scheme; the warehouse was later raided of all supplies in the midst of the End SARS protests. Asorose, along with other farmers, also denied receiving any state government support and said that much of the supplies that were genuinely distributed were actual given to "political farmers," without actual farms. When submitted with a Freedom of information request, Commissioner for Agriculture David Apeh stated that no government assistance was given to farmers because none of the budgeted money had been spent; when told by the reporter that the audited report indicated that the money had been spent, Apeh deflected saying "it was not from my own office." Commissioner for Finance Asiru Idris, who signed the report, and Bello's Chief Press Secretary Onogwu Mohammed did not respond to requests for comment.[35]


2021 Anti-Corruption Network accusations[edit]

Later in February 2021, the Anti-Corruption Network, a Kogi-based group that had accused Bello of corruption several previous times, released a new report accusing Bello of laundering billions of naira in public funds; the organization then filed a EFCC petition against the governor on 1 March. According to former PDP Senator Dino Melaye, the petition was also submitted to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, Unites States embassy, British High Commission, and Transparency International. The report detailed various forms of accused corruption in the 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Kogi State Government Expenditures, including (but not limited to) awarding state contracts to non-legal persons, irregularities in awarding contracts, conflicts of interest in awarding contracts, awarding contracts without due process, and money laundering. The report sparked fresh calls for an EFCC investigation into Bello, including by Kogi anti-corruption groups and the Peoples Democratic Party.[36][37] The Bello administration responded by calling the allegations politically motivated and claiming the PDP was fearful of Bello's rising profile.[38] On 30 March, the EFCC announced an investigation into the Anti-Corruption Network's fraud allegation.[39] In July 2021, the Anti-Corruption Network claimed that the EFCC had not made progress on the announced investigation into Bello and threatened to take legal action if the commission did not act promptly.[40]


COVID-19 tracking software[edit]

On 26 March 2021, Premium Times reported that the Kogi State government had spent over ₦90 million on a COVID tracking software that only cost ₦300,000. Reporting revealed that despite the Bello administration's lack of anti-COVID measures, financial records showed that the state government had bought a year of COVID-19 risk assessment software for ₦90,720,000 in March 2020. A reporter posing as a government official who wanted create a similar app in a different state contacted Telnet Technology Limited, the technology company awarded the Kogi project, who stated a similar project would cost only ₦300,000 for one year. Fanwo claimed the project cost less than a million naira but refused to explain why the state financial report showed over ₦90 million being paid for the project.[41] The Premium Times reporting sparked even further calls for investigation, with the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) asking President Buhari to “direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to investigate alleged misuse of the N4.5 billion donations, loans and support the Kogi State government obtained from the Federal Government, including N90,720,000 reportedly spent on software to track COVID-19 cases in the state.[42]


"Kogi State Salary Bailout" Account[edit]

On 31 August 2021, the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court froze the "Kogi State Salary Bailout" Sterling Bank fixed account after an application from the EFCC. The commission's affidavit stated that it had "credible and direct intelligence" that the account was illegally filled with ₦20 billion from a state government loan account on 25 July 2019 and had not been used to pay civil servant salaries. According to the EFCC, in the two years between the account creation and the court date, ₦666,666,666.64 was removed from the account with the commission claiming to be attempting to trace those funds as they were "not used for the payment of the salary." Judge Tijjani Ringim, who granted the commission's motion to freeze the account, stated that the freeze would remain in place until 1 December pending the EFCC investigation and possible prosecution.[43] In response, Sterling claimed that Kogi State had no fixed account in their bank and said that the account mentioned by the EFCC is an internal digit number the bank uses to manage Kogi State accounts; however, Sterling admitted that there was a similarly numbered fixed account that was not operated by the bank. The Bello administration organized a press conference where Fanwo also claimed that the state government did not have any fixed accounts in Sterling Bank and that the three state government accounts in Sterling Bank only held ₦46 million. Fanwo also accused the EFCC of misleading the judiciary and the public before threatening to sue the commission and media for reporting on the court proceedings.[44] Bello also personally denied the accusations, calling the case a "misrepresentation of facts" along with claiming that no Kogi state account was frozen and that "the officials of the EFCC" could have misled the commission.[45][46] The EFCC told the Kogi state government to go to court if it contested their findings. Meanwhile, human rights activist Deji Adeyanju said Bello "should be in jail forever" due to corruption and in September 2021, all three of Kogi's senators (Smart Adeyemi, Jibrin Isah, and Yakubu Oseni - all APC) met with EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa to advocate for Bello's case.[47][48] Bawa rebuffed the senators' case after explaining why the EFCC is not solely targeting Kogi; analysts claimed the court case could be the biggest test for Bawa since his February 2021 appointment.[49]

Achievements[edit]

Achievements in the Security Sector[edit]

One of the areas the administration of Alh. Yahaya Bello has performed most beautifully is the area of security. From being one of the most insecure and dreaded states as at the time Governor Bello took over, the state has risen to become one of the safest states in Nigeria today.[50] The administration’s determination and commitment towards securing the state was borne out of the conviction that security is the primary and most important function of government. More so, security is the bedrock of growth and development in any society.[51] It is heartwarming to note that the National Bureau of Statistics has named Kogi, Kebbi and Bauchi as the leading states with less reported crimes. The Governor has also won awards on security from the Nigerian Police, CSOs, media and other reputable organizations. [50][52][51]

How did the administration achieve the security feat?

1. The administration purchased more than 200 security vehicles for different kinds of security operations across the state. This is unprecedented in the history of the state.[51]

2. Over 500 motorcycles were provided for security operations to allow security agents access to the hinterlands where most of the heinous crimes are committed. The Vigilante service men and women use the motorbikes to access difficult terrains where criminals reigned as terror lords since those locations are inaccessible.[52]

3. On the assumption of Office, the Governor met daunting statistics of an average of 25 kidnap cases per month. As of today, it has dropped to an average of 2. In many months, there were no cases of kidnap at all. The 92% crash in cases of kidnap and robbery was achieved through the right policies. The launch of Operation Total Freedom, which has driven fear into the criminals, heavy investment in communication gadgets and training of security operatives , the Security Whistle Blower Policy which exposed the criminals, the Vigilante Service Operation and the domestication of the Criminal Justice Code were all instrumental to the excellent security of lives and property in the state.[53]

4. To curb Highway Crimes, the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello ensured the clearance of 40 meters on both sides of highways to ensure criminals have no hiding place.[54]

5. Provision of assorted security equipment for security agents in the state.[52]

6. Construction of Army Forward Operation bases at different places across the state to enhance the security of lives and property.[52]

7. Encouraging a robust relationship between the State Government and the various security agencies in the state. This has boosted the morale of the security agents to defend the Kogi territory.[52]

8. Demolition of structures owned by criminals in the state to serve as a deterrent to others.[52]

9. Training of Forest Guards to protect our forest resources from pilferers.[50]

10. Recruitment of thousands of Vigilante Corps to compliment the efforts of the conventional security agents in the state.[52][51]

11. Provision of Free Toll Lines to encourage citizens in giving information about criminals and crimes to security agencies.[52]

12. In order to avert Farmers/Herdsmen Clashes, the State Government created a dialogue and cooperation platform for a free flow of communication between the Government and the herdsmen on one hand and the Communities and herdsmen on the other hand. This excellent relationship has ensured both farmers and herdsmen are living peacefully together in Kogi State.[52]

13. The State Government has been able to create a synergy between the various security agencies in the state.[52]

14. The government has supported the training of security operatives to equip them with modern knowledge of crime control.[52]

15. The morale of security operatives in the state has been boosted with better working conditions, equipment and their welfare. They are well motivated to give their best to the people of the state.[52][51]

Achievements in the Healthcare Sector[edit]

Quality healthcare delivery has been one of the greatest achievements of the present administration in Kogi State. Apart from the ongoing state-of-the-art Medical Diagnostic Centre that is threatening to be the best this nation has ever witnessed, a lot of achievements are ongoing:

1. The Healthcare Plus Program has been hailed as one of the best healthcare policies in the nation today. The Honorable Minister for Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole said it is one of the best in Nigeria today. The program has made it possible for pregnant women to have access to no-cost medical services across the state. It was borne out of the commitment of the Governor to ensure women don’t die anymore in the process of giving birth to children. This a big plus to our battle against maternal mortality.[52]

2. Renovation, remodeling and re-equipping of 21 existing Primary Health Care Centers (one per LGA) with solar-powered boreholes and electrification to help the success of the Healthcare Plus Program.

3. Recruitment, training and re-training of Health Workers on various specialties. [52]

4. Provision of free maternal and newborn healthcare services including referral services where and when necessary.[55][52]

5. Healthcare Plus will serve as a pre-implementation plan for the much awaited state-wide universal health insurance scheme.[52]

6. Bello Health Intervention program has so far helped 168 patients with life-threatening issues. Nothing is too much to save lives. Those critical situations include stroke, congestive heart failure, malignant diseases, various degrees of trauma, including spinal cord injury, some of which were sent abroad for advanced treatment and the successful separation of conjoined twins.[56]

7. Under the Bello Health Initiative, the State Government has also procured assorted customized pediatric drugs currently in the State Medical Store, through the Office of the SD[55]

8. Adoption of Clorhexidine gel for umbilical cord care.[52]

9. Prompt payment of counterpart fund to partners to enable the state access all her healthcare facilities.[55][52]

10. The State Government has frontally combated the menace of quackery in the health profession to protect Kogites.[52]

11. The administration has prioritized the success of the Kogi State Sustainable Drug Supply System.[52]

12. Under this administration, we have witnessed an unparalleled response to a medical emergency situation.[52]

13. The administration has never failed to key into high impact strategies such as maternal, newborn and child health week. [52]

14. Introduction of Public Private Partnership into the health sector. The Ministry of Health in conjunction with Kogi State Bureau for Private Public Partnership (BPPP) has reached an advanced stage in discussion with willing investors to bring quality healthcare services into the state under the PPP arrangement, in the areas of radio diagnostic and laboratory services. Negotiations are ongoing on the possibility of leasing some of the State’s medical facilities for massive upgrading and management.[55]

15. Confluence Advanced Medical Diagnostic and Imaging Centre (CAMDIC). The New Direction administration is working towards completing the abandoned construction activities. The administration of Alh. Yahaya Bello has paid for the already supplied equipment and procuring additional equipment to revitalize the project.[52]

16. Giving the College of Nursing, Obangede, a deserved facelift. Under the New Direction administration, the old College of Nursing, Obangede, a monotechnic, has been approved to be converted to a Polytechnic with the introduction of new courses such as Dental Nursing and Midwifery.[52]

17. The Administration has been able to renovate the Zonal Hospital in Kabba (Kogi West), Idah (Kogi East) and Okene (Kogi Central).[55] This has made it easy for people to access quality healthcare without necessarily besieging the medical facilities at the state capital.[52]

18. The administration has constructed a Cottage Hospital in Kpareke.[52]

19. The New Direction Government has also embarked on massive renovation and construction of new hostels and Clinic at the School of Nursing, Obangede.[52]

20. Construction of an administrative block at the School of Health Technology, Idah. [52]

21. Strengthening of the State Action Committee on HIV/AIDS enlighten the people about the dangers of contacting the disease.[52]

22. The State Government has also come up with a modality of Workplace Diagnosis to prevent work place deaths as a result of unknown or lately discovered health conditions.[52]

Achievements in the Agricultural Sector[edit]

The New Direction policy on agriculture is to produce food and ensure food security for the people of Kogi State, which would create employment including youth engagement and provide the enabling environment to generate a high proportion of GDP of the State from agriculture.[57] Through a private sector lead participation in the sector and the enabling environment provided by the Government, agriculture has not only become a lucrative venture, it is also contributing to the revenue base of the State.[57]

Agriculture has witnessed an unprecedented revolution under the present administration in the state. The State Government keyed into the Agricultural Renaissance Policy of the Federal Government which was aimed at ensuring food security and promoting non-oil sector for economic transformation.[58][52]

Today, Kogi State has become the Agricultural Capital of Nigeria as the Governor has created the right environment and support to make agriculture the driver of the state economy.

1. The Governor Yahaya Bello administration has succeeded in encouraging the youth to key into farming through orientation, sensitization, mechanization, inputs subsidy and many other supports. Today, many youths can boast of a career in farming. This has drastically helped in switching the minds of the youth across the 21 Local Government Areas in the state to agriculture.[52]

2. The State Government has succeeded in facilitating loans for farmers to encourage mechanization and improved production of food.[52]

3. The State Government cleared 1000 hectares of land across the state which were allocated to youthful farmers with farm inputs and agric machines services.[52]

4. The State Government procured 375 Fergus Tractors with complete implements, three quantities each for Mini Harvesters, Planters, Broom Sprayers, Rice Reapers and other similar equipment to enhance agricultural activities and boost production.[52]

5. Procurement and assemblage of 1500 Tillers which were distributed to small scale farmers in 2017.[57]

6. Along the value chains, Agriculture has created about 20,000 jobs for Kogites, thereby depopulating the unemployed demography in the state.[52]

7. The State Government contributed in no small measure to the cultivation of 3000 hectares of rice and 5000 hectares of cassava in the state.[52]

8. In order to bridge the gap in vegetable production using the advantage of the nodal location of the state, the State Government has established a state of the art greenhouse Farm at Osara to produce tomatoes and other vegetables.[52]

9. Keying into the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme (ADS) through payment of the State’s counterpart fund by the Bello Administration, the Ministry of Agriculture has constructed 500 fish ponds as a pilot scheme and have been handed over to over 1000 youth across the state to own and operate.[52]

10. In a related development, over 300 youth will also be empowered in Akpata Ega in Idah Local Government where 400 ponds have already been constructed. This is being replicated in all the Senatorial Districts in the state. The main scheme is targeting 10,000 youth across the state.[53]

11. In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the State Government took delivery and distributed 76btruck-load of inorganic fertilizer to farmers at a subsidized rate to boost soil fertility.[52]

12. As the leading producer of Cassava in Nigeria and coupled with the guaranteed security of investors, Kogi State has been able to attract the biggest ethanol company in Nigeria known as Unicane. The company uses cassava as its main raw materials, thereby sparking massive production of the crop. Kogi farmers have never been richer.[53]

13. The Federal Government must have seen the seriousness of the State Government in promoting agriculture when it nominated the latter as the pioneer state for the National Egg Production Scheme. 135 youth are empowered with N4.2 million each to support their poultry farms.[52]

14. The Omi Dam success story is a massive testimony of the achievement of the Yahaya Bello-led administration in agriculture. The scheme is positioning the state as the rice destination of Nigeria. The State Government has also empowered hundreds of youth to grow rice in the riverine areas of the state.[52]

15. Thousands of farmers across the state have benefitted from the Anchor Borrowers Scheme of the Federal Government.[52]

16. Ongoing construction of the Kogi State Rice Mill at Omi. Apart from the massive Mill at Omi, others with smaller capacities are being constructed at different locations across the state.[52]

Achievements in the Education Sector[edit]

Education is at the top of the Thematic Areas of the New Direction Agenda. It is the best resource of any society and the bulwark for development and transformation.

The administration has embarked on the following projects in the educational sector:[52]

1. Ongoing construction of GYB Model Primary Schools across the 239 Wards of the state.[52]

2. Remodeling of our legacy schools across the state to meet international standards.[52]

3. Construction of 50-bed capacity hostel at Government Girls Secondary School, Obangede.[52]

4. Construction of Library Extension at Kogi State College of Education (Technical), Kabba[52]

5. Completion of the hostel project at Government Science Secondary School, Icheke in Omala Local Government Area[52]

6. Restructuring of the Ministry of Education and its agencies to guarantee a good education for the people of Kogi State[52]

7. Several ongoing projects at the Kogi State University, Anyigba and the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja[52]

Infrastructural Development[edit]

1. In order to improve on the road infrastructure of the state, the administration of Alh. Yahaya Bello procured modern technology in road construction. Construction equipment were imported to raise the capacity of KOGROMA to deliver quality roads at a lower cost to the state. This has paid off as we have better roads constructed or rehabilitated by the Agency.

2. The Ongoing rehabilitation of Shintaku/Gboloko/Dekina road. This is a major road in the Eastern flank of Kogi State.[52]

3. Construction and rehabilitation of Lokoja Township road[52]

4. Ijowa-Jege-Ife-Olukotun road[52]

5. Ankpa Township Road[52]

6. Provision of solar-powered streetlights in Lokoja[52]

7. Many other road projects too numerous to mention that are in advanced stages of completion[52]

8. Renovation of the State House of Assembly Complex, Lokoja. Today, the Assembly Complex can compete favorably with others around the country.[52]

9. Construction of the Kogi State Ministry of Justice Office Complex, Lokoja.[52]

10. Construction of the Kogi Revenue House.[52]

11. Construction of the SDG House.[52]

Awards and Recognitions[edit]

  • Sun Governor of the year (Daily Sun) [60]
  • NUJ role model award (Nigerian Union of journalists) [62]
  • Icon of security award (Association of people in Diaspora) [63]
  • Security personality of the year (The institute of Security and Strategic studies) [64]
  • Distinguished Hero of Women Inclusion Award (National Association of Women Entrepreneurs)[65]
  • ICAN's Novel Accountability Index Award (The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria)[66]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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  13. ^ "Imposing Visa Restrictions on Nigerians Responsible for Undermining the Democratic Process". United States Department of State. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  14. ^ editing (September 15, 2020). "BREAKING: Oshiomhole, Kano, Kogi Governors On US Visa Ban List, El-Rufai's Sanction Extended". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
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  16. ^ Alawiye, Abeeb. "Yahaya Bello protests visa ban by US, says Nigeria elections are complex". International Centre for Investigative Reporting. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  17. ^ Okoye, Gabriel. "The Election Security and Off-Season Elections in Nigeria: The November 16, 2019 Governorship Election in Kogi State Experience" (PDF). International Journal of Innovative Social Sciences & Humanities Research: 1–13. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
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