News / Production

We own Obajana Cement plant 100% – Dangote Group

The management of Dangote Industries Ltd. (DIL) says it owns Obajana Cement plant 100 per cent and its acquisition in 2002 followed due process.

The company said this in a statement issued by Anthony Chiejina, Group Head Branding and Communications, DIL, titled, ‘Obajana Cement Plant: Separating Facts from Fiction.’

The group said the Kogi government had no equity interest in Obajana Cement Plc, and that the company had been paying relevant state taxes, levies and charges to the Kogi government since it started production in  2007.

“This is a statement issued for the sole purpose of addressing the concerns and apprehensions of the stakeholders of Dangote Cement Plc (DCP), especially the over 22,000 people it employs directly, and more indirectly, as well as thousands of contractors, wholesalers, users of our products, our financiers and shareholders.

“At a time of significant economic challenges that we face as a nation, we believe all must be done to keep our economy running effectively, our people employed, businesses that depend on us thriving, and not discourage those who take the risks of needed, lawful and significant investments in our economy.

“The shutdown of our plant has materially jeopardized the economic wellbeing of our country without any regard for its significant consequences,” said the statement.

The group said whilst reserving its rights to proceed to arbitration in accordance with the extant agreement, it had reported the unlawful invasion and the consequential adverse effects of same to all the relevant authorities, including the Federal Government of Nigeria who had intervened in the matter.

“It is hoped that the dispute resolution process we have initiated will quickly resolve the disputes and allow us to focus on our business without distraction and continue our significant contribution to our national economy,” the company said.

According to the group, the Obajana Cement Plant is one of the most critical components of economic activities in the nation, being one of the highest taxpayers, and vehicle for one of the largest companies invested in by thousands of Nigerian and foreign investors.

“Its …

News / politics

Kogi alleges smear campaign against governor

Kogi State Government has raised the alarm over the alleged smear campaign against Governor Yahaya Bello ahead of the 2023 general elections.

There have been speculations that Governor Bello is interested in the Presidency, a move that has unsettled some major political actors.

Addressing journalists during its quarterly press briefing, yesterday, the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, who highlighted some of the achievements of the governor, said the state government was aware of plans to paint the governor in bad light ahead of the 2023 general election.

According to him, plots by certain persons to impute embezzlement of the state’s funds on the governor have been unraveled.

His words: “With all of these achievements, it is unfortunate that some disgruntled political liabilities are still bent on launching a smear campaign on the person of Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the Government of Kogi.”

He revealed that several bloggers and media-guns-for-hire had been contracted on retainer to regularly sully the public space with claims of embezzlement by the governor and his administration.

Fanwo added that some of the figures planned to be thrown around in the days, weeks and months to come represented more money than the administration had even seen together at one time.

“We hope that the press will be vigilant and activate their investigative offices before running with such fabricated and unfounded allegations. Despite intense pressure and lobbying from across the country and even Nigerians in the Diaspora, Bello has not told anyone that he is running for President in 2023.

“His Excellency’s position is that he will give an appropriate answer to his supporters at the appropriate time. But Intelligence reports at our disposal show that a certain person is at the center of this conspiracy. We will respond to him with the applicable legal force. Our gentleness must not be mistaken for cowardice,” he warned.…

Education / News

How our staff, two Poly students were kidnapped in Oyedepo’s church — University

Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi State has stated the circumstances that led to the kidnap of a staff of the institution, Joseph Arome Simeon, and two students of the Kogi State Polytechnic, Itakpe Campus.

The university, in a statement on Monday by its spokesman, Balogun Omeiza David, said the trio were kidnapped on Sunday.

They were kidnapped inside the Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel, founded by Bishop David Oyedepo.

The university, however, denied earlier media reports that the students were its.

It said in the statement: “For the past two days, different news blogs have written erroneously without proper investigation on the kidnapping that actually took place on Sunday 29th August 2021 at Osara the community serving as host to the newly founded Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara.

“Without mincing words, there was actually a kidnapping case on Sunday 29th August at Osara, Adavi Local Government Area, Kogi State around 7:30 p.m. A staff of CUSTECH working with the ICT department by the name Joseph Arome Simeon was kidnapped alongside two female students of Kogi State Polytechnic, Itakpe Campus.

“From the details made available to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Salawu Sadiku and the Information Unit of CUSTECH, the trio had gone to the Living Faith Church located in the outskirt of Osara for a voice training session only for them to be kidnapped around 7:30pm on that fateful day.

“Further reports made available by the security agents said the kidnappers shot sporadically into the thin air before they finally abducted their victims from the Living Faith Church, Osara.

“The general public should be well informed that no student of CUSTECH, Osara was kidnapped as wrongly reported and shared widely by other news blogs.

“Also, the two female students that were kidnapped are of the neighboring Kogi State Polytechnic, Itakpe Campus. The male staff of CUSTECH, Osara that was kidnapped is a Data Analyst and not a lecturer as wrongly reported.

“It is also of great importance for the general public to know …

Business / Foreign / politics

World Bank commends Gov. Bello over refund of $4.63m surplus funds

The World Bank has commended Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State for refunding $4.63 million surplus funds under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management project.

The World Bank commended Bello in a letter of appreciation by its Regional Director, Shubham Chaudhuri.

It described the step as a sign of good leadership.

According to the World Bank, the action by the Governor has made it possible for the organization to extend its projects to other States facing deficit funds and to extend the closing date of its projects.

The World Bank has commended Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State for refunding $4.63 million surplus funds under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management project.

The World Bank commended Bello in a letter of appreciation by its Regional Director, Shubham Chaudhuri.

It described the step as a sign of good leadership.

According to the World Bank, the action by the Governor has made it possible for the organization to extend its projects to other States facing deficit funds and to extend the closing date of its projects.

“This action was made possible by your Excellency’s leadership, and its timeliness helped the Bank’s decision to extend the closing date of the project from June 30, 2021 to June 30, 2022.

“The returned surplus funds will ensure that other States facing a deficit of funds are able to complete their civil works, while Kogi state focuses on completing its approved ongoing works.

“We look forward to your continued leadership in following up on the progress and completion of such works.

“We trust the project can be brought to an orderly closure in your state, while achieving its intended objective and contributing to transforming lives and alleviating poverty.

“We also take this opportunity to request that you kindly also expedite the issuance of a required Letter of Comfort.”…