News
Heroic homecoming: Mammoth crowd storm Okene streets to welcome Yahaya Bello

…….Thank him for sterling achievements, making them proud
In what they described as a celebration of “eight years of unprecedented strides”, indigenes and residents of Okene in Kogi State, on Sunday, trooped out in their thousands to welcome the immediate past Governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, back home after two impactful tenures.
They treated the White Lion, as he is fondly called, to a heroic homecoming ceremony at the ancient town, Okene, where Bello hails from.
With loud cheers, pomp and pageantry, the jubilant residents heaped praises on the immediate past governor over his sterling performance in office, with different clans performing with their masquerades amid the thick crowd that thronged the streets.


Before former Governor Bello arrived Okene, a crowd of residents of Lokoja, the state capital, had assembled on the highway linking the former governor’s country home to bid him farewell after successfully handing over to his successor, Governor Usman Ododo.
They lined up at the roadside and expressed gratitude to Bello, saying he had successfully transformed Kogi beyond their expectations in his two terms in office.
Some of the citizens who spoke after Bello’s convoy pulled over to acknowledge their greetings, said the former governor had left an indelible mark of achievements in the Confluence State.

When Bello’s convoy arrived at the entrance of Okene town, enthusiastic and proud indigenes/residents were seen waving at their kinsman in excitement.
As the convoy journeyed deeper into the heart of Okene, the town erupted in jubilation as the former governor’s kinsmen who adorned in ceremonial attire, accompanied by drums and trumpets, danced along the streets, saying Bello had elevated Okene and Kogi State to an enviable height.
The former governor visited his maternal ancestral home, where special prayers were offered in honour of the memory of his departed mother, seeking divine blessings for him as he returned home.

Also, Bello stormed the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, along with the new Governor of the state, Usman Ododo, where he was given a rousing welcome. The mammoth crowd seen at the palace was unprecedented.
The traditional ruler, HRM, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani, hailed former governor Bello’s transformative impact on Kogi state’s infrastructure and economy and congratulated Governor Ododo on his inauguration.
Meanwhile, former Governor Bello expressed his profound gratitude to the people of his hometown and Kogi State in general for the overwhelming reception accorded him.
While addressing his admirers, he urged citizens of the state to support the administration of Governor Usman Ododo for the continued development and transformation of the state.
“I am filled with joy over this overwhelming show of gratitude, happiness and love. It further attests to the impacts our government has made in the lives of Kogites. I humbly return all thanks and praises to the Almighty God. He alone is the Doer of everything we can lay claim to have done in office as a government. Without His enablement we would have been both helpless. To God be the Glory!
“Now, we can live with a clear conscience, confident that we did our best for Kogites within the time and resources available to us.
“I have successfully handed over to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo. Ododo will need our support to succeed in the overall interest of the state. Once more, I want to thank you for this honour,” the former governor stated.

Aged 94, Aminu Dantata died in Abu Dhabi at 3.ooam today (Saturday, June 28).
Dantata was a Kano-based business mogul and philanthropist.
The Principal Private Secretary, PPS, to the deceased, Mustapha Junaid, confirmed the demise in a post on his Facebook handle.
Junaid wrote, “Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun. Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun.
It is with heavy heart that I announce the passing of our beloved father Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata.
“May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus and forgive his shortcomings.
“The Janazah (funeral) details will be shared later insha Allah.”
News
LASG reopens Abbatoir at Oko-Oba
The announcement was made by the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab in a statement he personally signed.

image credit : arisetv
Lagos State Government on Friday night directed the immediate re-opening of the Abbatoir at Oko-Oba following the fulflment of sanitation and hygienic prescriptions by the operators.
The announcement was made by the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab in a statement he personally signed.
Mr Wahab said that the operators have substantially complied with the minimum benchmark for the operations of abbatoirs in the state which was flagrantly flouted necessitating the closure.
He informed that part of the conditions for the reopening is that on a monthly basis, the ministry of the Environment and Water Resources officials will conduct a periodic inspection of the facilities at the Abbatoir.
He urged the operators to avoid unsanitary activities, waste mismanagement and unhygienic handling of animal products as they conduct their businesses.
It will be recalled that the Oko-Oba Abbatoir was shut by the State Government on June 20 following an inspection by top State officials which discovered a flagrant disregard of the laws guiding safe operations of abbatoirs in the state.
SignedKunle AdeshinaDirector (Public Affairs)June 27, 2025
News
Again, Vanguard’s Editor, Eze Anaba Emerges NGE President
The Managing Director of The Sun newspaper, Onuoha Ukoh, clinched the position of General -Secretary .

Anaba, who was the incumbent, was returned unopposed, a development attributed to his widely acknowledged record of administrative excellence.
THE Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) on Friday reelected Mr Eze Anaba – the Editor of the Vanguard newspaper, as the President, during their ongoing Biennial National Convention in Enugu.
Anaba, who was the incumbent, was returned unopposed, a development attributed to his widely acknowledged record of administrative excellence.
The Managing Director of The Sun newspaper, Onuoha Ukoh, clinched the position of General -Secretary .
Other elected officers include:
Deputy President: Sabastine Abu
Vice President, West: Karbi Alabi
Vice Presidents: Hamza Idris and Sheddy Ozoene
Treasurer: Iyobosa Uwugiaren
Assistant Secretary: Gabriel Fulajimi Akinadewo
Publicity Secretary: Charles Kalu
Earlier , the Chairman of Channels Media Group, Dr. John Momoh had said that there can be no security without justice, and no unity without progress.
Momoh, who was Chairman of the Convention said that there can be no progress within inclusion.
He pointed out that insecurity has reared its head in many of Nigeria’s regions, while the country had witnessed divisions across ethnic and religious limes, while economic hardship and rising frustrations have made the citizens ask tough questions about Nigeria’s future.
Momoh enjoined the media not only to report conflict, but to also spotlight solutions. “Let’s promote understanding. Let’s be bridge-builders’, he said.
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