Governor Bello Promises to Pay Kogi Workers' Salary

The newly inaugurated governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello has promised the state civil servants that he will pay salaries in the state as soon.

Bello made this promise today, 27 January, while delivering his inauguration speech at the confluence stadium, Lokoja, Kogi state.

The governor pointed out that his administration will be opened to the contribution of everyone as he will operate an open policy.

He said: “There is no greater evil than corruption, and nothing champions that more than impunity,” he said.

“Corruption and impunity make sure our people repeatedly arrive at a broken future and finally bereaved of success or the promised better life.

“Let it be recorded today that future generation will not be given any reason to count this incoming administration among those who revelled in corruption and impunity. We will be different by the grace of God.”

He explained that his government will make us all the resources belonging to Kogi state to work for the people stating a zero tolerance for corruption and impunity.

Meanwhile, Bello has appointed Mr Edward Onoja as his Chief of staff and Alhaji Abdulkarim Abdulmalik as his special adviser on media and strategy.

A statement issued in Lokoja today also stated that said that Mr Kingsley Fanwo has been appointed as the chief press secretary to the governor.

The statement which was personally by the governor the appointments take immediate effect.

It described Onoja, the new Chief of Staff, as a tested administrator who rose to management positions in several blue chip companies in financial, and oil and gas sectors. He hails from Ogugu, Olamaboro local government area of the state.

It said Abdulmalik, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, was prior to his appointment, a seasoned journalist, social media expert and media consultant based in Abuja. He hailed from Ihima, Okehi local government area of the state.

It is worthy of note that, Kogi State made another unusual history as its fourth democratically elected governor, Yahaya Bello, was sworn in without a deputy.

The man nominated by the All Progressives Congress to be Mr. Bello’s deputy, James Faleke, made real his threat not to present himself for swearing in with the governor.

He was conspicuously absent at the ceremony, and no replacement was announced at the event. The legal implication of that arrangement remained unclear.

It is the first time in Nigeria’s political history that an elected governor would be inaugurated without a deputy.

The North-Central state had made another history late last year when a leading governorship candidate, Abubakar Audu, died before its governorship election is concluded, throwing the state into what appeared a constitutional logjam.

Everybody is interested in knowing the outcome of the Kogi Election Tribunal hearing.