Elder Onugba Emakoji - Died At Age 106, Buried In Peace
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Hon. Edward Onoja - Grand Reception At Home, Ogugu
MISS IGALA NIGERIA 2016 - THE JOY AND LESSONS
OGBANAGO
MUHAMMED IBRAHIM
THE UBA SECURITY OFFICER WHO FOUND AND RETURNED
£10,000 TO THE OWNER
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Current Residence Kano Interest Modeling, meeting new people and Travelling Occupation Student and A model Favourite Igala Food Oje Abacha and Obo Igogo Like(s) Encouragement and Trustworthy Dislike(s) Discourage and lies Igala Hero/Heroine Inikpi Oma Ufedo Ata Dream for Igalaland Cultural development and Youth Empowerment
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OGBANAGO
MUHAMMED IBRAHIM
THE UBA SECURITY OFFICER WHO FOUND AND RETURNED
£10,000 TO THE OWNER
CONTENTS
REGULARS INTERVIEWS
FACE OF INIKPI
3 9 10 14,28 >
PUBLISHER’S DESK EDITORIAL EVENT & PEOPLE
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> >
>
18 EDUCATION
>
22 27
COMMUNITY
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Arise Igala-Issue 34
PUBLISHER’S DESK
ONOJA J. OKPANACHI PUBLISHER/CHIEF EDITOR
INTEGRITY PAYS
T
hough great pain may come with being a man of integrity but the sure deal is that it pays at the end.
nation. The country has just been confirmed officially to have slide into recession and the nation has also lost its number one position in Africa as South Africa’s economy has overtaken Nigeria’s. These developments didn’t just happened, they happened gradually and now become so obvious due to the attitude of our leaders towards the challenges of the country. We must be sincere at all levels to have a better and prosperous country. The truth here remains that whatever we sow today, we must surely reap tomorrow.
Integrity pays. Integrity makes the difference in a man’s life Though in the eyes of many, it may seem very foolish when one follows the path of integrity but it will surely lead to a better end as time is just the main factor. Yes, time is the main factor because it is always in motion and in the process it reveals what man is truly made of. If one’s make is of integrity then the end will surely be solid but if otherwise, whatever one enjoys is just temporal as On this note, I must say time will surely reveal the it is most important to truth. develop the attitude of celebrating honest people so For a nation like Nigeria, our to encourage more people up and down economically into being very honest about and even politically are tied everything in order to build a to our level of honesty in better society for us all. managing the affairs of the Therefore, celebrating our
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own Ogbanago Muhammed Ibrahim who displayed honesty in his line of duty is the most appropriate thing to do to show the world that integrity is a character that we all must imbibe and let it be part of our daily lives. Sincerely, I appreciate His Royal Majesty, Agabaidu, IDAKWO MICHAEL AMEH OBONI II, Ata Igala and the Trustees of The IEDA (Igala Entrepreneurship Development Association) led by Dr. Victor Alewo Adoji, Hajia Salamatu Baiwa and other young enterprising Igala chaps for their efforts to organize a Royal reception for Ogbanago Muhammed Ibrahim. At this reception, the Ata Igala will present him a brand new motorcycle and an undisclosed amount of money on behalf of The IEDA. We must celebrate integrity else corruption will thrive. Arise!
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EDITORIAL
Greed kills G
reed is a killer disease. Greed has the capacity to kill the spirit, body and soul. It starts gradually and eats up the entire system of man if not discovered and stopped on time. One of the most dangerous symptoms of greed is blindness to truth. Greed has a very strong potential to blind man’s eye that the only thing he sees is himself and self alone. Greed puts man on the run and on this fast lane it exposes man to lots of hazards including the possibility of being knocked down and out easily from the race of life. Sometimes this knock could come at a very tender age when the greedy is about to settle down to enjoy the fruits of his greed. This disease is so dangerous and very infectious. It shows on the body of the greedy as if all is well until the knock out time and then there wouldn’t be solution but destruction. This disease is very deceptive as it paints beautiful pictures of things while hiding the end thereof and unfortunately many people choose to accept it so long as it takes them to cover certain distance in life even though it may be short they don’t care. May we attempt to see the story of Ogbanago Muhammed Ibrahim in a greedy light - assuming he decided to pick the money and keep it for himself. Suddenly, there would have been a turn around for him but from that moment his peace would have ceased. At home there would have been news of his sudden wealth and at work he would have been very uncomfortable then quit. He would have engaged in some kind of spendings which would have led to suspicions and then an arrest, investigation and conviction would have followed and that would have marked the end of a young promising leader of this great country. Since life is loaded with choices to be made, I urge you not to choose greed. You have a long life ahead and there are better deals for you if only you can hang on and follow the path of justice. Life will always give you back what you put into it. This edition of ARISE IGALA Magazine is loaded with lots for your reading pleasure and all round development. Flip on and enjoy the package.
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COVER
OGBANAGO
MUHAMMED IBRAHIM
THE UBA SECURITY OFFICER WHO FOUND AND RETURNED
ÂŁ10,000 TO THE OWNER
I
n a time like this when the economy is hitting hard in all ramification, it will be very tempting to stand as a man of integrity when it comes to money issues particularly the type that confronted Ogbanago Muhammed Ibrahim - As a security officer who work with the United Bank for Africa (UBA) at the Oba Akran Branch in Lagos. He found &10,000 outside the banking hall, close to the gate while on duty but returned the money back to the branch operations manager. Not too long after he returned the money, the customer who lost the money came back to the bank in search of the lost money and claimed it.
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COVER
L-R; TONY ELUMELU, Chairman, UBA Group and OGBANAGO MUHAMMED IBRAHIM
Who Is Ogbanago Muhammed Ibrahim?
O
gbanago hails from Imane in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State. He had his primary education at the LGEA Primary School, Agaliga Etukwo where he served as social prefect during his time at the school. He proceeded to Young Muslims College (YMC), Ankpa in the year 2002 and later returned to Agaliga Comprehensive College, Etukwo where he obtained his Senior Secondary School Certificate in the year 2008. In pursuant of higher education, Ogbanago sought and gained admission into Kogi State College of Education where he studied Primary Education and Political Science.
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Leadership Experience
At the primary school level, Ogbanago served as social prefect where his responsibilities were very versatile. At the higher institution, he contested to lead as President of the largest department in Kogi State College of Education (the department of Primary Education Studies). In the contest, he defeated the incumbent vice president then to emerge as winner. In view of Ogbanago’s leadership quality, he was appointed to represent School of Education at the Students Union Government level to resolve issues and proffer solutions after the students riot that sent the then Busser away. Also, at the College of Education, Ogbanago served as the Public Relations Officer of the Arise Igala-Issue 34
COVER Muslims Students Broadcasting of Nigeria (MSBCN). While studying at the Kogi State College of Education in Ankpa, Ogbanago was also managing a hospitality outfit called Executive Guest House in Ankpa showing his willingness to earn his living legally. In his community, he served as the Public Relations Officer of UJA ACHE CLUB of Nigeria in Sabon Gari, Ankpa.
Ogbanago’s Inspiration
First of all, it was obvious from the interaction with Mr. Ogbanago Muhammed Ibrahim that his inspiration to courageously carry out this act without contemplations went back to his upbringing where his parents instilled in him the lesson of never to take what does not belong to him. Secondly, his native name “Ogbanago” as consciously given by his parents means a lot more than name to him; it is a reminder of who he should always be. The name means a focused person, the one who doesn’t derail or fall to temptations from various distractions around him. The literal meaning is “looking ahead”. Again, the teachings of his religion (Islam) forbids taken what is not his. And, when he saw the money one first thing that went through his mind is that he is an ambassador
of all the groups he has once represented and so he must not fail them. On this note, he decided to do the right thing by returning the money to the bank’s branch operations manager immediately to also proved that “Nigerians are not fantastically corrupt” as put forward by former British Prime Minister, David Cameron during that period. Ogbanago was satisfy to have a similar situation with the cleaner at the Ikeja airport, Josephine Ugwu who picked a lost money at the airport and returned it to the authority who then returned to the right owner. He felt he has also passed a test of life as touching his integrity so he wouldn’t worry about what others opinion may be about his decision to do the right thing. He is fulfilled that not all Nigerians are corrupt. He is convinced that there are others out there like himself and Josephine.
Ogbanago (M) with some top management staff of the United Bank for Africa Plc.
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EVENTS & PEOPLE
LATE ELDER ONUGBA EMAKOJI: DIED AT AGE 106, BURIED IN PEACE
T
he burial of late elder Onugba Emakoji was indeed a celebration of life as echoed by many who were at the funeral. He grew through the various stages of life and making sense of them all as evident in the family’s life and even the testimonies by the community and church. Passed onto glory on the 13th day of July, 2016, late Pa Onugba died a fulfilled man. He was born in the year 1909 to the family of Mr. Emakoji (Obuluwa) and Mrs. Omehiodo Emakoji. His birth
was in the year HRM, Oguche Akpa came to the throne as Ata Igala. His father who was a great farmer became very renowned as herbalist after he was beaded with a chieftaincy title as the OBULUWA of Ata Igala by HRM, Atabo Ijomi. Blessed with many children, grand-children and great grand-children, he left them a legacy of love, discipline and love for mankind. He was finally laid to rest in his compound at AcharuEgume in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi state on Saturday, August 13, 2016.
Children listening to words of exhautation and testimonies
Some members of Noble Club of Nigeria at the burial ceremony
Children singing hymn at the burial ceremony
L-R; Omachi (grandson), Pastor Solomon Abu, Pharm. Samuel Egbunu, Pastor David Usman, Ademu Abuh
Some elders and guests at the burial ceremony
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EVENTS & PEOPLE
Some of late Elder Onugba Emakoji’s children
Some guests at the burial
Ezekiel Onugba, one of baba’s son
Chief John Odawn at the burial ceremony
Guests at the burial ceremony in late Elder Onugba’s compound in Acharu, Egume, Dekina local government area
Some guests at the burial ceremony
Some women group from late baba’s church
Special performance - the dancers from Benue state
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Special performance - singer from Benue state
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EVENTS & PEOPLE
Some of the children paying last respect to baba before the body leaves for interment
Some community members at the burial ceremony
Before the body leaves, some family members still paying respect
Children and grand children round the body to pay their last respect
Grand children and great-grand children paying their last respect to the late sage
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EVENTS & PEOPLE
Grandson, Omachi in front of Baba’s body before leaving for the resting place in the compound
Finally, the body leaves for interment Baba’s final resting place
Taking baba’s body to the final resting place
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INTERVIEW
The Honourable Commissioner For Rural Development, Paul Enema Speaks About The Personality Of Hon. Edward David Onoja In an interview with Hon. Paul Enema at Ogugu Centre, Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State on Sunday, August 14, 2016 during the grand reception organised in honour of Hon. Edward Onoja, the Honourable Commissioner for Rural Development speaks about the Kogi state Chief of Staff from personal and wider point of views. Excerpts: understanding of God Almighty; Onoja is a friend that is closer to me, a brother that is more than a brother. This how I will describe him. He is somebody I love, my family love him, the state love him and we all respect him. He is one man that does not know how to lie. His one is one and his two is two. This is how well I know him and by the grace of God I will continue know him this way.
Honourable Commissioner For Rural Development, Paul Enema
Can we meet you? Thank you my brother. My name is Enema Paul, the Honourable Commissioner for Rural Development. How can you describe the person being celebrated here today? Hon. Edward David Onoja is a friend to me on the natural understanding of every human being but I see him through the spiritual 18
What’s your view about the grand reception in honour of Hon. Edward Onoja? I want to thank God for Hon. Edward Onoja’s life and I also thank God for making it known to the people of his community that the time has come for them to embrace their own truly and sincerely. And, this is what I saw in Ogugu yesterday. I want to tell the people of Ogugu that the hands of God is truly upon their son and that they will soon begin to enjoy the dividends of democracy as far as this government is concerned. I also call on the people to keep interceding for him so that the right hand of God will continue to lead him all through. Mentioning the dividends of democracy, how soon do you think the people will begin to witness these given the current challenges that confront them? Yea! We thank God the governor is a young man and his lieutenants, both men and women are young people too. The country is currently going through an economic recession so to say now; we are broke, we Arise Igala-Issue 33 34
INTERVIEW have little now to remember the people. After paying salaries there will be nothing or little left for infrastructural development but be it as it may, we will do our best, we will go extra mile, source for international connection to help us fund projects, to support and where necessary, borrow and anything from outside the shores of this country that comes in will be channelled directly to the people and that way, the people will see dividends of democracy and that we are sure of and we will sail through. So, how would you want the people to see Hon. Edward Onoja and the tasks in his hands? Hon. Edward Onoja, I liken him always to the biblical David; David fought over 50 nations and he never lost any. Not because of his power, not because of his righteousness but by God’s grace upon him. And, in my closest, I pray for him not to fall away from the grace
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of God as a lot is being expected of him by the people of his community and the state as well. As the Chief of Staff to the governor of Kogi state, the state as a whole is now his constituent. He is the engine room and all of us as young people serving in this government are looking up to him. We are not looking to government for what it can do for us but we are looking for what we can do to contribute to the government. And if we continue on this path God will surely help us to bring dividends of democracy to the land of Kogi state. We will do our best. We will continue to pray for him as the head, the leader of this group, the captain of this ship and as the captain of this football team of Kogi state. We have no power on our own, we believe we will do something tremendous for the people of the state. While we wait for the dividends of democracy, what’s your message to the people of Kogi state? I want to beg the people of Kogi state - Our governor has warned every member of his cabinet that we should do away with religion. That’s I am a Christian, I am a Muslim, I am a pagan and so we can do things together shouldn’t be part of the cabinet members. Secondly, ethnicity; I am Igala, I am Ebira, I am Okun, I am Kankada, I am Bassa and so we can not relate should be shun totally. And, number three is class; I am richer than you, you can not play with me, we can not interact because you are down, you are in the middle and so on shouldn’t be part of his cabinet. He has warned that on these three grounds, he can sack any member of the cabinet found wanting. So, we want to beg everybody to create unity in the state that we are one. We also beg the people of Kogi state to pray for their leaders because it is biblically correct to pray for your leaders. It is Islamically correct to pray for your leaders and even culturally too. If you don’t wish your leaders well and they fail, the pain comes down on the downtrodden as it wont affect the wealthy. So, our interests shouldn’t be Igala, Ebira, Okun, Nupe, Bassa et al but Kogi state. So, let us all pray for positive direction for this government and let’s all join hands together to make the state move forward. 19
Igala Entrepreneurship D
... Securing tom Email: theideaplatfo
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Development Association
morrow, today orm@gmail.com
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SPONSORED
Middle; Representative of the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Engr. Ohere (SA, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs)
Hon. Edward Onoja, Chief of Staff to the Executive Governor of Kogi State
Welcoming the Governor’s representative with some flowers
Grand Reception
H
on. Edward Onoja was welcomed and received by the people of his community, Ogugu on Sunday, August 14, 2016. The grand reception which was organized by Ogugu Development Initiative (ODI) was aimed at celebrating their own in the current political dispensation in the state. Being the Chief of Staff to the executive governor
in honour of
hon. EDWARD ONOJA in Ogugu
of Kogi state, ODI thought it wise to celebrate him. At the ocassion, other political appointees from the area were also welcomed and the governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello was really appreciated by the Coordinator of ODI, Mr. Gabriel Akor for the inclusion of many sons and daughters of the area in his government.
Welcoming the Governor’s rep at the ocassion
Up for the national anthem at the grand recption in honour of Hon. Edward Onoja at Ogugu by ODI
Hon. Edward Onoja
Presenting kolanuts to the Governor’s representative
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SPONSORED
Coordinator, Ogugu Development Initiative delivering his welcome address
Presenting kolanuts to HRH, Ochogwu of Oguguland for prayers
L-R; Honourable Commissioners for Budget Planning and Rural Developments
Hon. Adamu Idakwo and Hon. Gabriel Adoji, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development
L-R; Hon. Comm. for Environment, Hon. Edward Onoja and the Governor’s representattive at the ocassion
Hon. Friday (middle), Olamaboro Local Govt. Administrator delivering his welcome address
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SPONSORED
The celebrant, Hon. Edward Onoja followed Some clergy men at the ocassion by Hon. Commissioner for Environment on the right and other political appointees from the LG
Hon. Vally Ujah, AVL, Hon. Ahmen Ahmed, Galacticus Onogu, Nda Aaron and a guest
Hon. Mrs. Edward Onoja
Some guests
Some guests with SA, Special Duties in the middle
Representative of Alhaji Yahaya Bello
L-R; Hon. Gabriel Adoji and Hon. Egbiti
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SPONSORED
Some Local leaders as the Governor’s representative delivers speech
Some guests and stakeholders at the ocassion
Hon. Edward Onoja celebrating the outstanding performance by these artists
Some guests from Lokoja
Cultural perfrmance
Doing the cultural dance
Special cultural performance
Some culrural display at the ocassion
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UPDATE
EGWUME OME DESCENDANTS UNION ABUJA BRANCH LIST OF THE NEW EXECUTIVE MEMBERS:
President AUGUSTINE AHIABA Vice President RUTH OCHENI Secretary General ANIBE IKANI Provost Marshal ALH. ABDULONE SIAKA Treasurer ROSE ALFA Financial Secretary MOSES MUSA Legal Adviser BARR. Z. ALI Auditor ABDULKARIM USMAN Public Relations Officer MOHAMMED MAHA Patron ALH. ABDULLAHI O. SHAIBU
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EDUCATION
“
An ideal learning environment should have spacious, conducive classrooms, well stocked libraries and internet facilities among others. Where such facilities are lacking, malpractice sets in.
“
Dr. Gabriel Hassan Ottah
Great Danger Looms If Examination Malpractice Is Allowed To Go On Unchecked by Yabagi Mohammed
A
Lecturer with the Mass Communication Department of Kogi State University, Anyigba, Mr. Gabriel Hassan Ottah, has decried the rise in the menace of examination malpractice in institutions of learning in the country, saying that proactive measures were necessary to mitigate its effect on students and the society. Otttah, who was the Guest Speaker during the 9th Graduation Ceremony of the Polytechnic Secondary School, Idah, where he said parents, relations and even school heads and their teachers tend to pursue their wards too hard to get the certificate at all cost. While also explaining that an ideal learning
Arise Igala-Issue 33 34
environment was necessary for the students to excel, he said conducive atmosphere would encourage the students to put in their best in their academics. He says: “An ideal learning environment should have spacious, conducive classrooms, well stocked libraries and internet facilities among others. Where such facilities are lacking, malpractice sets in.” The Mass Communication don stressed the need for quality foundation in the education of the children, saying that candidates also fall back on examination malpractice because of foundational deficiencies. He frowned at the situation where a candidate seeking admission into either secondary school or higher institution is admitted despite his inability to make one simple sentence correctly, adding that there was need for new candidates to be adequately screened before being offered the admission. “Examination malpractice thrives where parents or guardians encourage their wards either by paying to further their cause or directly urging the students to practice it. Some parents pay subject teachers to leak questions to their wards. Parents also encourage malpractice by frowning at their wards for not performing well in examinations.” He mentioned the types of examination malpractices to include: girrafing, sign, extra sheet, photographic, formation, tattoo and other methods, noting that the country is in danger of being plunged into a session of political, economic and social darkness that would almost be impossible to redeem if the menace is allowed to fester. 27
EVENT & PEOPLE
Winner, Miss Igala Nigeria (middle), 1st runner-up, Miss Igala Ambassador (right) and 2nd runner-up, Miss Igala Culture (left) at the end of the contest
Miss Exquisite, Grace Jedie, organizer of the beauty pageant arrives
MISS IGALA NIGERIA 2016: THE JOY AND THE LESSONS
S
aturday, August 13, 2016 in the city of Anyigba, a dream came through for young Miss Grace Jedie and her Zeek Africa outfit. It was the Miss Igala Beauty Pageant tagged Miss Igala Nigeria 2016. According to the organizer, it will be an annual event and the essence is to help launch our people into the national and global spheres of doing things in the 21st century. The beauty pageant brought to fore certain lessons - the Igala people are set to venture more into global trends exploring their great cultural potentials and endowment and secondly, organizers of this kind of
event should plan deeply well so that the whole package can be of global standard in contents and presentations so to appeal to investors and other stakeholders. The night came to an end amidst great suspense as the audience could not just wait to see who the maiden winner is. And, then, the 2nd runner-up was announced as Miss Adama Salamatu (Miss Igala Culture 2016) and Miss Juliana Uredo Okewu as 1st runner-up (Miss Igala Ambassador 2016) and finally, the queen was announced as Miss Eunice Uyo Adejoh who was crowned the Miss Igala Nigeria 2016.
Opening prayer by Onoja, Publisher of ARISE IGALA Magazine Opening prayer by Onoja, Publisher of ARISE IGALA Magazine (3rd from left), next to his left Miss Eden and on his right, (3rd from left), next to his left Miss Eden and on his right, Sunday Attabo Sunday Attabo
L-R; Hon. Dr. Attah Ahmed, SA on Health Matters to the Executive Governor of Kogi state and Miss Exquisite at the event
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L-R; Hon. Gabriel Adoji, Comm. for Youth & Sports, Thomson Makolo Jnr. and Felix Okpetu
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EVENT & PEOPLE
On stage before announcing the winner of the beauty contest
View of the audience
Some of the beautiful guests
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EKE, one of the great Igala traditional performers live on stage
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EVENT & PEOPLE
The beautiful ladies contesting for the Crown
On the Red Carpet
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EVENT & PEOPLE
L-R; Tina, Sunny, Onoja, Yetunde and DJ Coll Breeze
The distinguished judges at the beauty contest
L-R; Sunny, Lega Sea and Onoja Finally, the queen is here
Middle; The Honourable Commissioner for Youth & Sports Development addressing audience at the event
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COMMUNITY
ADUPI - EMORIKO: SENSITIZATION CAMPAIGN ON COMMUNITY BASED HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM
E
moriko is one of the most pro-active communities in Oguguland and perhaps in the whole of Kogi East when it comes to grassroots mobilization and sensitization in the health sector. This status gained by the community is not unconnected to the dedication of sons and daughters of the community through their self-help platforms, Emoriko Development Association (EDA) and Emoriko Mutual Health Association (EMHA). Under the leadership of Dr. Ahmed Attah as the current national president, EDA has been receiving good responses from various quarters within and outside the state to boost health sector of the community. On Thursday, 18th of August, 2016, the Emoriko Mutual
Welcome HRH, Ochogwu of Oguguland to the ceremony
Emoriko Community Leader, MWO Joel Abasson (rtd.) addressing audience at the flag off ceremony
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Health Association organized a sensitization program, a campaign based on community health insurance. The campaign program features free clinical services, free surgical services, health talk and sensitization program. The exercise which lasted for 3 days is a result of the collective efforts of the entire people of the community, its associations’ leadership and Hezekiah Health Foundation (HHF). The HHF is a facilitator with National Health Insurance Scheme which has contributed immensely to launch the community into the health insurance scheme with good cooperation and understanding of the community and it’s leadership.
Dr. Attah Ahmed, National President of EDA and S.A., Health Matters to the Executive Governor of Kogi state at the flag off ceremony
Emoriko Community Leader presenting Kolanuts to HRH, Ochogwu of Oguguland
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COMMUNITY
Some elders of Emoriko community and middle is Chief Onoja Joseph Akor, the Gago, Alaku Area
Mr. Thomas Zekeri and Dr. Attah Ahmed
Some of the community leaders and EDA Representatives from Lokoja, Abuja and National
L-R; Hon. Enemona Anyebe, Dr. Ahmed Attah and Dr. Usman Zakari, Project Manager, CIHP.
L-R; Mr. Sunday (HHF), Dr. Attah Ahmed, NHIS Staff (Benue), Dr. Salaudeen (Benue state coordinator, NHIS) and Pst. Hezekiah Jonah Abah (Founder, HHF)
The medical team attending to a Some of the community leaders, NHIS Delegates and Hezekiah Health Foundation patient at the Emoriko Clinic Team at Emoriko to witness the flag off
Some of the children at the flagg off ceremony at Emoriko
L-R; Mr. Ojonugwa John, Dr. Attah Ahmed and MWO, Joel Abasson (rtd.)
HRH, Ochogwu of Oguguland (middle) Dr. Attah Ahmed conducting the NHIS and the District Head (left) at the ceremony Delegates round the Emoriko clinic
L-R; Dr. Attah Ahmed and the District Head
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Hezekiah Jonah Abah, Founder of Hezekiah Health Foundation and NHIS Facilator addressing some of the community members at the clinic
As community members lined up to be attended to by the medical team
Guests from state government at the ceremony
Inside the clinic as nurses and health workers attend to patients on this special day
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COMMUNITY
Inside the laboratory
Mr. Thomas Zekeri at the flag off ceremony
Inside the clinic’s laboratory at Emoriko
Mr. John Ogbe at the ceremony
Group photograph with royal fathers
Hon. Joshua Onoja and Hon. Vally Ujah with some of the health and medical workers at the clinic
Hon. Joshua Onoja and Dr. Attah Ahmed with some masquerades
The Hezekiah Health Foundation Team at the ceremony
Some community members and guests from the state
Some community members
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COMMUNITY
Some of the mediacl items inside the clinic
Putting things in order inside the clinic
The medical team attending to some of the The medical team attending to some of the community memners at Emoriko during the ... community memners at Emoriko during the excercise ..
Conducting free medical tests at the ceremony
The medical team attending to some of the community memners at Emoriko during the excercise
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he medical team attending to some of the community memners at Emoriko during the excercise .
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INTERVIEW
Igala name must be held high and all benefits given – Hon. Ibrahim Gabriel Itodo In an interview with Hon. Ibrahim Gabriel Itodo, Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in the state, he spoke about some of his remarks to Governor Yahaya Bello at Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lokoja at the end of the guber election. Also, he spoke about the Kogi East Senatorial Seat and other vital issues. Excerpts: Hon., let’s meet you am Hon. Ibrahim Gabriel Itodo, Inter-Party Advisory Council’s Chairman in the state and also the candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the just concluded Senatorial Election for Kogi East. I am a member of Labour Party and I have lived in Labour Party till date.
I
What was the drama about Labour Party having you and one other candidate running for the same Senatorial seat for Kogi East in the re-run election? In 2015 election, I was the candidate for that election and after the election was nullified by the appeal court, it was stated clearly that same people who participated in the 2015 election and their party are same people who will participate in the re-run. So, INEC had no option than to fix my name because I was the one who participated in that election. But before the 2016 re-run, I had a problem with the party and I decided to step aside and I wrote INEC but unfortunately INEC replied the party that the time of substitution has elapsed and so the party has no option than to feature me (even though I stepped aside). The party didn’t do well from the national as they decided to collect money from one Alhaji Wahab Yunusa,they gave him permission to run on the party’s platform despite INEC’s stand and when he (Wahab) took INEC to court, they gave a verdict that Hon. Ibrahim Gabriel Itodo (that’s myself) is the legally nominated candidate of the party to run for the election and that was how I participated in the process. So, despite you stepped aside from the party you still participated in the election? Yes, because that was the court’s stand that it was too late for me not to run the time I decided so. In the first place, what was your drive for the Senatorial seat? Well, the drive I had initially was because we have not had good representation from Kogi Eastern zone. It’s been very unfortunate that the Senators we have had didn’t perform to the expectation of the people especially
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Kogi East so I thought it wise that I could do better. But unfortunately elections in Kogi and Nigeria as a whole is been driven by money bags. In spite of not having money, we thought we could bring in a new narrative to show our capability and integrity we have gathered over the years. We need to show a difference and actually we did because I came second in the overall result. Before this time, what has been the level of your political participation? I came into Kogi into Kogi state to run for House of Assembly in 2007 and when I lost the election under MRDD I went into Labour Party. I came into LP fully as the state secretary in 2010 and I have been at the saddle of political games. I have been politically active also through the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) using the LP platform in advancing my democratic practices. I have always been at the supportive angles; I used CNPP to support Capt. Idris Wada when he emerged as the Governor and I was privileged to serve in the advisory council as one the Special Assistants in his government. I am also privileged to be at the leadership position of all the political parties in the state including the ruling and the opposition parties. The tenure of that which is going to end by September 2016 when I will round up my second term as the chairman of IPAC and I have been advising governors. At INEC in Lokoja, I gave a closing remark and I used that to advice Alhaji Yahaya Bello. I remembered vividly that I told him, “Your Excellency you are inheriting a broken pieces of APC and the whole work you must do in advancing your integrity and the party is to accept Kogi state as a total constituency you are going to ride on and to bring all the pieces of APC together”. On this note, I told him he must have formed a solid foundation for him to build on and he shook his head and when we came out, Hon. Simon Achuba (now Deputy Governor) shook hand with me and said you have propounded the best of advice and we are going to work with it but unfortunately I am seeing a different thing. So, this is how I have been playing my politics and we are still looking ideas of political development in the state.
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INTERVIEW Quickly, are you still a member of Labour Party? Yes, I am Can you explain your romance with Senator Attai Aidoko during the 2016 re-run election for Kogi East Senatorial seat. To be honest with you, when the court nullified the election of All Progressive Congress (APC), Senator Attai Aidoko was the first to contact me for support and as the chairman of IPAC all other political parties are answerable to me and he said I should come with all those participating in that election for a meeting and that was how we started. And, because our senatorial district is far behind. So, for us to advance democracy we said since he was there and he wants to go back let’s give him our support after he has assured us forming the fulcrum of his structure to advise him on how to advance the district and bring home dividends of democracy. My idea is bringing home dividends of democracy and it has to be one person at a time and so after raising some points we gave him our supports to go since he is familiar with the terrain but unfortunately the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) internal problems made the high court to disqualify him as not the person who won the initial primary that was conducted. So, for me, morally I supported the PDP from day one until Senator Attai Aidoko was disqualified before I came out fully to participate in the election. Now, what do you think should be the focus of the next Senator? Actually, we suffered in the area of provision of dividends of democracy from the angle of the Senate. So, anybody God has granted the opportunity to go in should focus on how the people of the district can benefit through quality representation; Igala name must be held high and all benefits given because this is the main reason he is there to represent and not the me, me, me kind of politics. Well, thank God INEC has given the power to elect to the people through the Permanent Voter’s Card and so reelection will be based on good performance and if you refused to perform the polls will tell. So, I just wish AVM will perform very well in the remaining three years as the Senate time actually waits for no one. What do you think political parties should do to help advance democracy in the country? As Chairman of IPAC in the state, I have always advocated for internal democracy to be embedded in all parties. The lack of internal democracy is a major problem rocking political parties in Nigeria. You can imagined what is being played around in the PDP; The person that won the primary election is different and the person’s name that was sent to INEC by the national headquarters is different and so I will advice that all national leaders of parties should stop the impunity of imposing candidates on the state and other levels of their structures. Allow the state to produce who wins so to avoid all this crisis. This has caused a whole lot and it is the reason Kogi East has not had a stable Senator for more than one year now and the struggle to determine who the real candidate is is still on. So, internal democracy will bail us from litigations
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upon litigations making lawyers and judges fatter and fatter by the day. I advocate seriously that political parties should have strong laws to guide and promote internal democracy. Some have opined that you have good case if you go to court over the last Senatorial election so why didn’t you choose that part? Like I have told you earlier, my goal is not about self but for Igala kingdom to have a representation. A representation that will provide dividends of democracy so when we keep fighting each other the time of Senate keep fleeting away as it does not wait for anyone and Senate is not the type that they will extend your time irrespective of the time you come in. To me it’s about Igala kingdom. It’s about dividends of democracy and not me. If it’s about me, I would have gone to court. So, I chose not to go to court to prolong Igala stay in the Senate. For instance, Senator Attai Aidoko propounded that instead of him loosing he would prefer me going to the Senate. Why, if I go to the tribunal and Aidoko volunteer his evidence that the PDP primary that produced AVM Alfa or him was fraudulent (knowing that he is the only one that has the locus standi to go against the PDP) they would disqualify that election and so the LP candidate which is me would be declared winner. So, my prayer for Alfa is for him to perform fine or meet the people of Kogi East at the poll again. What would be your advice to the people today on making their choice at next time - Party or Personality? The problem we have in Nigeria today is that we don’t have a zero party system that will offer some people opportunity to advance their integrity so the available political parties become the only options. The second problem is that you must be rich to run an election but I just pray that with the recent development, people will begin to read between the lines to vote candidates with integrity and to vote proper representation. When political parties derailed in their ideologies of fighting for the people, the people will also have reasons to choose political party of their choice. Political parties are just like vehicles; you have the Honda, Toyota, Mercedes et al and so people can decide. Therefore, quality of the candidate and the integrity of political will go a long way to inform the people’s decision. Once again, I advice that political parties should focus on internal democracy and turn against impunity of imposition of candidates on the people. Parties should allow any candidate emerge from the people, by the people to be represented at the election. If that is done, then political will always have winners. So, I just pray that we grow out of the sentiments that this is my brother, my tribe and my religion in playing politics so that we can look at credibility, somebody who can provide dividends of democracy for the people because all candidates are jostling for positions are supposed to be holding brief for the people. The central focus should be the people and as I said earlier with the power of PVC if one fails to perform, he will surely come at meet the people at the poll so am very confident that the focus of an electorate and candidates will change because we are learning and advancing our democracy as well.
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LIFE
LONELY TIMES
With NELSON AROME EMMANUEL enskynelson@yahoo.com 08057755844
Who is Better - Wailing Wailers or Waiting Waiters?
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ith the advent of ‘change’ came two broad categories of people: the ‘wailing wailers’ and the ‘waiting waiters.’ The former are those who consistently keep lamenting about the effect of ‘change.’ This group of people keep complaining about the government, the policies and how it affects their businesses, family and living. On social media, in public transports, in offices and market places, they don’t hide their disgust and discontentment at the performance of the government. They claim the promised change keep changing and some even call it “chain” and not change. Whether they have got a point or not isn’t something this article will answer. The latter group of persons are the ‘good’ guys. They even though presently satisfied or not are ready to be patient with the government. They are ready to wait and tend to defend every policy of the 38
government; they are often of the opinion that though the policies are yet to yield the intended results, in due course, it will yield positive results. They are the waiting waiters. They express their love and passion for the government, defending every dime spent, every trip made, every word spoken and every action taken. By now I am sure you know the category you belong. But whether the ‘wailing wailers’ are better or otherwise, I am sorry to disappoint you because, both are but ordinary men whom I can never be proud to reckon with. To waste your time wailing or waiting for the government is but an ordinary man attitude! To imagine that the change you need is dependent on one man, a government, or a nation is but an ordinary thought. You may have a counter opinion but it is but mediocrity to believe that government is the one to bring about the change you need. Here is the deal. Would you
sit and wait, sit and wail over what is around you when you can actually stand and make the move? The best you should think of doing is to rise up! Push forward to achieve the change you want. Whether you like it or not, change will continue to happen but to be affected by desired change is about you. It is neither about the government, about your country or about your location. I am urging you to rise up and push for your their desired change; quit wailing and quit waiting for the government. I am neither a waiting waiter nor a wailing wailer. So, guess who I am... I am Nelson, I am change! You are change! This is the real deal. Join my revolution. I am change. Be extraordinary, be change! For more inspiration, join the discussion at www.facebook.com/ lonelytimesinspirational Send comments to enskynelson@yahoo.com Arise Igala-Issue 34
PERSONALITY PROFILE
Another Star Is Rising From The North
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he rising star, yes, his name is Hamza Muhammed Ejeba and the young hip-hop chap is popular known and addressed as Hazy D-Star. Born and bred in the ancient city of Kano, this northern rising star is a native of Kogi state from Abocho, Dekina local government area. Hazy D-Star is one guy who effortlessly lace his lyrics with Hausa and his mother tongue, Igala. His primary and secondary education were all completed in Kano where he also proceeded to graduate from Bayero University, Kano (BUK) with Degree in Library and Information Science. A good singer and rapper, Hazy D-Star makes his music a fusion of Hausa, Igala, English and few Yoruba lines. He is currently running his music business under A-Hitmusic Entertainment. Hazy D-Star is a strong believer in the values of culture and holds on to them very well. One people he so much cherish and always promise never to disappoint are his growing fans.
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Arise Igala-Issue 34