Ebira People Association (EPA) and other stakeholders have began the mobilisation of people to the swearing-in of Ahmed Usman Ododo as the new Governor of Kogi State, scheduled for January 27 in Lokoja, the State capital.
In a communique at the end of its meeting, with other similar organisations in attendance, EPA called on all sons and daughters of the Egbira nation to make deliberate efforts to be present at the swearing-in ceremony of the Governor-Elect.
“We should assert our presence and publicly demonstrate our solidarity with the incoming government.”
The communique, signed by the President General of EPA, Dr. Oyibo Godwin, also called on the sons and daughters of the Egbira nation to consider the appointment of Alhaji Dr Ahmed Tijani Anaje as the new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, “as an act of God without whom it would not have been possible in the first place.
“Essentially, all sons and daughters of Ebira who had aspired to occupy the revered stool but lost out in the process should accept it as a divine act by the almighty God who will reward their contributions to the land in ways that please Him.”
The stakeholders advised the new King to reach out to all aspirants in the said kingship selection process, as well as prominent individuals and organizations in the land, with a view to bringing them on board for the peace and development projects of Ebiraland.
They further advised the new King to immediately assume the rallying point posture that is necessary for the peace, unity and progress of the Egbira nation.
The stakeholders frowned at the use of voice notes and write-ups on WhatsApp media platforms to insult and cause division among Egbira people and urged all organizations operating the group WhatsApp Platforms to disallow such posts on their platforms forthwith.
Part of the communique goes thus:
In furtherance of its efforts to continually engage all stakeholders of the Egbira nation for peaceful and harmonious coexistence, EPA summoned a critical stakeholders’ meeting primarily to assess some current situations in the land, particularly as it concerns the appointment of the new Ohinoyi of Ebira, and the forthcoming swearing-in ceremony of the new administration of the Governor-Elect Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo.
The meeting, which was co-chaired by the President-General, Ebira People’s Association (EPA) Dr. Oyibo Godwin, the Chairman of the Kogi Central Elders Forum (KCEF) Adai Stephen Yakubu and the President-General of Ebira Youth Congress (EYC), Comrade Obiyo Ateiza, was attended by sixty-two participants, representing fifty-one organizations, cutting across communities, civil society groups and faith- based organizations across Ebiraland.
Specifically, among others, the meeting deliberated extensively on the following and noted that:
1. The swearing in ceremony of the Governor-Elect of Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo is slated for the 27th day of January, 2024 at the State Capital, Lokoja. it was emphasized that the event is very important for the Ebira nation and that should be accorded the needed participation.
2. The process of the appointment of the new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland had been concluded, culminating in the appointment of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr Ahmed Tijani Anaje, the former Ohi of Okengwe as the new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland. He has since been given his letter of appointment and turbaned on the 10th of January, 2024 in his palace at Okengwe.
3. Alongside the appointment of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, two prominent traditional rulers in Kogi Central Senatorial District; the Obobanyi of Ihima, His Royal Highness, Chief Samuel Adayi Onimisi and the Olu of Magongo, His Royal Highness, Chief Sam Bola Ojoa were deposed and banished to Niger State. The title of the Obobanyi of Ihima was redesigned to read “Obobanyi of Emani.”
4. While the meeting requested the leadership of EPA to carefully understudy and act appropriately after its findings on the issues, it passionately appealed to His Excellency, Alh Yahaya Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, to take a second look at the matter of the aforementioned royal fathers with a view to reconsidering its verdicts where it maybe appropriate.
5. An ugly development that centred on the use of voice notes on WhatsApp to insult, distort history and ostensibly to cause division among Egbira people, particularly since the conclusion of kingship selection exercise and the appointment of a substantive Ohinoyi must be stopped by all involved.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyeson Wike has made it clear that the government is set to make Abuja very hot for kidnappers, bandits and other criminals that have recently invaded parts of the city.
“To all those criminals and bandits, enough is enough. We will do everything within our powers to make sure that we do not allow this to happen again.”
Speaking today, January 17, in Bwari, at a townhall meeting with relevant stakeholders, the minister said that the bandits terrorizing the residents of the FCT are those who were dislodged from the North East and are making inroads into the nation’s capital.
He vowed that his Administration will make the city very hot for them, even as he solicited the support of the traditional institutions and community leaders.
He advised them to provide information to the security agencies for timely and proactive actions.
“Everybody has a role to play by providing information. By information, you help the security agencies to proactively take control before anything will happen. What will solve the problem is your support to the security agencies.”
The Minister said that he has been mandated by President Bola Tinubu to work with the Service Chiefs to ensure that security challenges are brought to a halt.
Wike announced that approval has been granted to provide all that are required by the security agencies to address security threats in Bwari Area Council and other parts of the FCT.
“Just this morning, Mr. President has given me approval to provide every logistic required to the security agencies. This is not just mere talking. We are serious.
“Security agencies will not have any reason to say that they are not equipped. We will provide everything required.”
He said that the security agencies will take proactive actions in the coming days to bring kidnappings to halt, adding that the government is also doing everything possible to ensure the release of the kidnapped victims.
He assured the Chairman of the area council that vehicles and other logistics support would be provided for the security agencies and other security outfits to encourage them in their efforts.
The Minister who sympathised with the victims of the kidnap incidents and the loss of lives, cautioned residents against disclosing their intentions to raise funds for ransom.
He said that such actions is helping the bandits and not the government or the people
“Stop going to make announcements that you are ready to raise money. By going to the radio stations, you are not helping us. You are helping them.
“Why would I go and give a criminal N100 million. There is no money to be raised anywhere. We will fight them to release our people. We will chase them away.”

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and
the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) have struck an agreement to partner towards fighting corruption, combating fraud, promoting transparency and accountability in the national taxation system.
The ICPC boss, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, who played host to the President of CITN, Samuel Agbeluyi, mni today, January 16, endorsed the request, describing such partnership as necessary to curbing tax related corruption.
Dr. Aliyu outlined key agenda for the partnership to include public awareness, technology and policy advocacy, which according to him, are crucial to the promotion of transparency, accountability and excellence in the taxation sector.
He stressed the need for Nigerians to contribute to its development by normalising tax payment.
“The relationship between ICPC and CITN will be consolidated by revisiting the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and ensuring that the terms are reviewed and improved upon.”
ICPC boss assured CITN of the Commission’s unwavering support, as well as collaboration with other key players in the sector, including Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to effectively prevent and check tax related offences.
This was even as Agbeluyi reiterated the commitment of CITN to make Nigeria great by plugging loopholes in the taxation system “that has led us to numerous interactions with stakeholders to discuss promotingexcellence, professionalism and ethical standards in the practice of taxation.
“The crucial role that an efficient tax system plays in building a sustainable and prosperous economy cannot be over emphasised.In his opinion, the drive to make taxation a cornerstone of national economic development necessitated collaboration with key stakeholders.”
The President of CITN outlined capacity building and public advocacy as some of the areas in which the institute hoped to partner, with the aim of creating a robust and efficient tax administration system that will boost revenue generation of the country.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has asked residents of the nation’s capital not to panic over the recent surge in kidnapping and other criminal activities in the capital city.
Speaking today, January 16, at an emergency security meeting with the heads of various security agencies in the FCT and the Area Council Chairmen, the minister emphasised the need for the residents not to panic and to trust the authorities in taking proactive actions to address the menace.
He said that the Administration is concerned about the security challenges in the nation’s capital city, adding that the emergency security meeting was part of the efforts to find solution to the challenges.

According to him, the government owes a duty to ensure the safety of the Capital Territory, which is home to all Nigerians, and that his government is providing the necessary support required by the various security agencies in to provide solution to the challenges.
“All of us are aware of the security situation in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly Bwari and some other areas that have witnessed security challenges.
“Yes, I’m aware that sometimes too, the press overblow what is happening, but all of us are concerned about the Federal Capital Territory that houses virtually every Nigerian and we owe a duty to make sure that this place is safe.
“We will do all we can and we assure Nigerians who reside here that there is no need for panic. We are taking every step to make sure that those challenges are things that we must have to resolve.
“So, this meeting is practically to look into such challenges and see how we will be able to resolve the problems and that’s why we invited all the council chairmen because they also have a responsibility in their various Area Councils. “So, we will put our heads together and come up with solutions.”
Minister Wike said that Area Council Chairmen also have a duty to ensure safety of residents in their domains.
He therefore, called on them to live up to their responsibilities.