NIGERIANS interested in providing viable solution to the social, economic and political problems hampering the development of the country have been urged to join hands with People’s Alternative Political Movement (TPAP-M) in making the noble cause a reality.

Mr Opaluwa Eleojo, Chairman, Steering Committee, Kogi State Chapter of TPAP, made the call in Lokoja over the weekend, during the inaugural town hall meeting of the movement.

According to him, TPA-Movement is a coalition of social forces,committed to the emergence of a mass workers’ party and the birth of a new Nigeria, where probity, transparency, accountability, tranquility would characterise its political culture, as well as make a new kogi state possible.

He told Nigerians that the movement had a place for those: “alarmed by the current grievous scale of poverty, Joblessness, insecurity, homelessness and hopelessness of our national existence.”

Eleojo added: “If you believe, as we do, that A New Nigeria is Possible;If you are concerned enough to want to play a role in making A New Nigeria Possible; then this is where you belong.

“I urge you to Come and join with us as we build the Movement, take the necessary collective actions and steps to make this possible a society based on Social Justice, equitable distribution of wealth, social inclusion and equitable access to opportunities.”

He also urged interested persons to canvass for the movement and establish circles its in their respective locations; places of work, or places of instruction (school/campus) and other places of social Work.,

“Go and begin to mobilise your members, friends and family to participate, very actively, in the ongoing continuous voter registration.

“The working citizens of kogi state must rise to this task as we can no longer sit on the fence to watch. We must participate in all electioneering process.

The birth of the Movement is a new beginning in Kogi state and the nation at large, according to Eleojo.

Kogi Govt solicits support for funding of education

THE Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Wemi Jones, has called on well spirited individuals and organisations in the society to come forth and support education funding in the state.

Jones made the call at the inauguration of the Inter-School Competition, sponsored by Pharm. Abdulkareem Asuku Youth Empowerment Foundation (PAAYEF), held on Saturday at Our Lady of Schools, Anyigba, for the Eastern Senatorial District.

The inter-school competition, tagged: ‘’Reviving The Glory of Education’’, was organised by PAAYEF to facilitate access to quality education and open opportunities for students across Kogi State.

The commissioner said that the inter-school competition by PAAYEF, was quite phenomenal in the history of education in the state.

‘’We are glad that PAAYEF has responded to the call of Government to individual and organisations for private partnership in transforming education sector in the state.

‘’’Education is a social service that requires massive funding. The government is doing a lot but government alone cannot do it.

‘’This is the initiative of an NGO sponsored by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, footing the entire bill of this competition which would go a long way.

‘’I appeal to well spirited individuals in our society especially those who have benefited from education, to come out and support us.

‘’We will be glad if people that have the resources would support us in things like this that will bring back the glory days of education to our state’’, he said.

The commissioner commended the governor for showing total commitment and dedication to the transformation of education in the state.

He expressed his excitement over the brilliant performance of the students at the competition, saying, ‘’I am extremely excited with what I have seen here today.

‘’It goes to show that what we need is just a little bid of push and we will get the best out of our students. I am excited with what has happened today’’.

The Focal Person of PAAYEF, Hon. Sandra Musa, noted that the selected schools were those who had proven to be up to the task without any political influence.

She explained that two schools were selected from each LGA, and three students from each school for the zonal level of the competition.

She added that the selected schools in the Central zone would hold their quiz competition at Abdulaziz Atta Memorial College, Okene, while that of the Western district would be at Saint Augustine School, Kabba.

According to her, the best three schools in each senatorial district will proceed to Lokoja for the final round of the quiz/essay competition where overall winner would emerge.

She said any student who emerged overall best would get full scholarship to university level, 2nd position to get scholarship for secondary education, while 3rd position would get a year scholarship at secondary level.

She added that PAAYEF would also be given awards and gifts to the best students, schools and competitors at the final round in Lokoja.

A total of 14 out of the 18 selected schools across the at LGAs in the eastern senatorial district, participated in the quiz competition.

The quiz subjects were: English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and General Paper.

Meanwhile, the commissioner at sideline of the competition, took a facility tour to some dilapidated buildings in the host school, Our Lady  Schools, where he assured the Principal of the school of government’s intervention.

At the end of the competition, Government Secondary School Okenya, Igalamela/Odolu LGA, emerged 1st position; St Peter’s College Idah, came second while the host, Our Lady of Schools, Anyigba, got 3rd position.

The three schools would be representing the eastern senatorial district at the grand finale of the competition in Lokoja.

Northern group berates power rotation

A Northern group under the aegis of Congress for Better Nigeria, has berated southern governors on their insistence for power rotation to the zone come 2023 presidential election.

The group described the demand of the Southern governors as illogical as it does not conform with the principle of equity, fairness and justice upon which the nation is built.

The Convener of the group, Zacchaueus Dare Michael made their position known at a press conference held in Lokoja on Saturday.

He said that the Press Conference became necessary in order to correct the statement credited to the southern governors that power must return to the zone in 2023.

The Congress equally identified Governor Yahaya Bello as the most preferred and qualified candidate from the North Central Zone that has all it takes to lead Nigeria.

Zacchaeus Dare Micheal averred that, for Nigeria to survive as a united and indivisible entity with its diversity, the principle of equity, fairness and justice must be zealously guided to avoid unnecessary acrimony and friction within the polity.

He said based on this democratic principle the call by the group for other zones to concede the Presidency to the Middle Belt which had not tasted democratically elected power since independence in 1999, said it has become imperative to avoid over heating the polity.

According to him , “while tracing the history of Presidency of our dear country since May 1999, said the South West emerged with Olusegun Obasanjo who served for two tenures of 8 years.

The South South have produced Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who spent 6 years in power.

“The Northwest and North East have produced President Mohammadu Buhari serving his second term.

The Convener said the only region that has been left as political orphans in power equation is the Middle Belt, and I ask what is the offence of the zone against the country.

He maintained that the group will mobilise every well-meaning citizens of the zone to reject the injustice and marginalisation that has been sustainably meted to the zone since independence, stressing that the North Central which has been the melting point of the North and Southern Nigeria would no longer continue to play the second fiddle.

While noting that the North Central with its abundance human and material resources has come of age to ascend the presidency, said its decision to identify Gov. Bello is informed by his ability to unite and secure the country.

“Without mincing words, his ability to unify Kogi State that is a mini Nigeria as well as make it the most safest state in Nigeria.

“We add that his Youth and women empowerment records in Nigeria remains unrivaled.

“Let us add too that the much needed religious harmony, infrastructure Development amongst other indices places Gov. Bello in a better place to lead Nigeria in 2023.

“For the country to achieve her greatness, marginalisation of every form must be curtailed to allow each zone to produce its best brains to paddle the statecraft, stressing that it was the jettisoning of this principle that has retarded the growth of the country.

“We say No! to political marginalisation which has brought nothing but backwardness and stagnation. We say No! to being viewed as the region unworthy of the presidential seat. We say No!

“While we again make a passionate and timely appeal on leaders from the region across party lines to form united front that would become a formidable force that cannot be neglected, urge them to unite their strength, resources and human power to ensure that the next president of the nation emerges from the North Central geo political zone”.

We therefore conclude that On The 2023 Presidency On North Central We Stand. Southern governor’s Position Illogical, preposterous and holds no water at all.