Peace Corps of Nigeria condemns illegal recriutment

By Eunice Emmanuel-Bagi

  The Kogi State Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria, Mr. Caleb Ogaku has asked the general public to disregard the activities of unscrupulous individuals who are extorting money from unsuspecting job seekers claiming to represent the organization.

Mr Ogaku revealed this to The Graphic in an interview at the State headquarters located at the first 200 unit along Ibaji quarters in Lokoja.
He noted that the command has over the last week been awash with some disturbing reports of illegal recriutment by some individuals and organization using an unspecified office around Paparanda Square in Lokoja

He revealed that contrary to the reports making rounds that N70,000-N75,000 is being charged for recriutment into the corps, the actual amount for the purchase of the form is N1500 with no extra charges.
"Based on the magnitude of this criminal act, which is capable of bringing the hard earned reputation of the organization under disrepute, the general public is asked to disregard any of such information" He added.

The State Commandant advised members of the general public who ae interested in enlisting into the organization to visit its website www.peacecorpsofnigeria.org or its office in Lokoja.

CIHP commemorates World AIDS Day in Kogi State

By Eunice Emmanuel-Bagi

The Kogi State Program manager for the Center for Integrated Health Program (CIHP), Doctor Usman Zakari has called for more public awareness against HIV and the stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS in Kogi state.

Doctor Usman made the call during a road walk as part of activities to commemorate the World AIDS Day in Lokoja, Kogi State.
He noted that the theme for the year "Hands up for HIV prevention" was to call for attitudinal change toward the disease and to stop discrimination against people living with the disease.

He revealed that although Nigeria has the highest burden of HIV/AIDS in the world, the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Kogi State  had dropped from 5.8% to 1.4% in the last few years. Adding that the global community is working dilligently to ensure that the world target to achieve a HIV/AIDS free generation by the year 2030 is realised.

Doctor Usman also revealed that since 2004, over 34 billion dollars had been injected into the world fight against HIV/AIDS through the United States Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

"As we commemorate the World AIDS Day, we stand in solidarity with 78million people who have been infected with HIV and remember the 35 million who have died from AIDS. I enjoin the Government of Kogi State and stakeholders to galvanise efforts towards ensuring that the disease is eradicated". He said.

Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson discover King Kong in new 'Kong: Skull Island' trailer

 An explosive battle follows with Kong laying waste to a collection of helicopters leaving Hiddleston and Larson stranded along with their star-studded team consisting of Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman and Corey Hawkins among others.

Also making an appearance is John C. Reilly in a comedic role as a Skull Island survivor who has been living along Kong and explains to the group that the real threat lies beneath.

"Kong is god on the island but the devils live below us," Reilly explains before referring to a group of prehistoric monsters as Skull Crawlers.

Now Hiddleston and his crew must seemingly team up with King Kong in order to survive.

Walt Disney Set To Create A Live-Action Version Of Beauty And The Beast.

  Yep!, this goes to all the movie fans, i remember back in the days of little beginnings when i always watch the 2D version of beauty and the beast, it was one of my favourite cartoon whey too back....But now Walt Disney is doing us all a favour here by creating a Real-Life Version of the film.....Just like Spider-man...Beauty and the Beast is based on the Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont fairy tale, which Disney previously adapted as a 1991 animated movie. The new film is directed by Chicago helmer Bill Condon.

"I was so excited to hear that Disney was thinking about doing a live-action version," the director said in a behind-the-scenes video in September. "When something is so perfect, why get near it? The answer is technology has caught up to the ideas that were introduced in that movie."

Beauty and the Beast opens in theaters March 17, 2017. Official Trailer is out...Watch and download from this link below:Beauty And The Beast Official Trailer

Kogi State Ministry of Environment impoes new control meaures

By Mary Amodu

Determined to ensure total compliance with the rules and regulations of forestry Kogi State commissioner of environment, Mrs Rosemary Osikoya said anyone caught in deforestation will pay a fine worth N750,000
The commissioner, disclosed this in an interview, she said surmounting all litigation the ministry has now embarked on community outreach sensitisation in the 21LGAs, to promote sustainable forest management
She placed more emphasis on the rate at which people destroy the heritage of the State by stealing the resources through deforestation, saying the government is set to restore internal control and promote eco-tourism
According to her, "The Government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello has promised in the new direction blueprint to restore internal control, so as to actualise 10% afforestation annually ".

The commissioner contended that the ministry will ensure that the right thing is done, stressing that Integrated approach such as medicinal plant and wild life should come from the forestry.
Hon Osikoya called on stakeholders, law enforcement agencies, timber contractors and other entities to comply, support and cooperate with the government to preserve the common heritage of Kogi State.

Interim Management of Kogi Savings and Loans Begins Recapitalization Drive

 

  The Interim Management Board of Kogi Savings and loans Ltd has began the ordous task of repositioning the institution. This was made known to the Graphic in an exclusive interview with the Secretary of the Board, Barrister Adejo Amego.

  Barrister Amego noted that one of the major lapses met on ground was that the sum of  N2,500,000,000 which was supposed to have been paid into the Central Bank of Nigeria to recapitalize Kogi Savings and Loans had not been done by the previous management. He added that due to this development, CBN had since January last year ceased any form of communication with Kogi Savings and loans.

The Secretary of the Board added that lack of proper human capacity was another challenge that bedeviled the institution. "We have assessed the six units within the bank and the major challenges in this units are lack of training, some units are understaffed, the I.T department is basically non-existent and the five branches of the institution are not online real time. At the end of the month the other branches come here to do their posting which is not what a banking system should be in the year 2016" He said.

Barrister Amego further explianed that in the 3 months it assumed office, the board had done some major work as regarding recaptilization. One of such plans in the works is the intention by the Board to sell one of its properties, the Lokoja International Market valued at  N6,000,000,000 as a viable tool for recapitalizing Kogi Savings and Loans Ltd.

Also in the area of human capacity development,Barrister Amego revealed that reorganization of all units in the organization through formal trainings thrice a week was presently ongoing. " The institution is making plans to revamp its ICT department by bringing top notch consultants to work in that department, as part of its primary responsibilty as a mortgage bank for lower bracket income earners there are plans by the institution to sell its 121 plots of land at Poly  Quarters to developers for a model housing estate tailored to meet needs of the lower bracket income earners in the state" He said.

Kogi Transport Company A.K.A Kogi Express Gets New Chairman

Chief Ademola Bello was recently appionted as Chairman of the Kogi State Transport Company, he happens to be an  astute Businessman whose wealth of experience has enabled him to thrive in the business of transportation for over a decade, in this interview with Eunice Emmanuel-Bagi he shares his plans to revamp the transport in Kogi State.

Background
I am Chief Ademola Bello, an Indigene of Ayetoro-Amuro in Mopa-Muro Local Government area of Kogi State. I am married and blessed with children. Prior to this appiontment I have served in the capacity of Special Adviser on Project Monitoring and Supervisor for works in Mopamuro Local Government Area. I am also the Managing Director of Destiny Globe Conglomerates, a company that specializes in road construction, transportation, Haulage and distribution.

What is your vision for Kogi Express?

My primary vision for the Kogi Transport Company is to alleviate poverty by increasing the standard of living through the creation of Jobs from the Transportation sector. Kogi State has the advantage of being in the most strategic part of the country, it is bordered by 10 states and also serves as the link between the North and South. I see the Transport sector becoming a vibrant economic hub and a major revenue earner for the state. Another priority of mine is ensuring that there is order in the transport system in the state, before now there has been no sanity with the way transportation has been handled, there has been so much lawlessness with the transport system all of that is going to change.

What is your Blueprint for Kogi Express?

In line with the new direction blueprint of his Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Kogi State transport company is going to be repositioned and revamped into a world class transportation network that will be one of the best in the country. I am glad that this government has the political will and is highly invested in  harnessing every potential revenue generating sector in the state to bring about development. First on my blueprint is ensuring that the right people with the right skills are given the right jobs to do, we are going to hire trained and experienced personnel to ensure that we give premium transport services to our clients. I am going to put a check to the activities of vehicle touts and illegal motor park operations in the state, the days of hoodlums who use parks as hideouts are over.
Also on my agenda is ensuring that the facilities at the Ultra Modern Park at Felele like the mechanic workshop offer premium and effective services,our restaurants, supermarkets and other services are going to run everyday for 24 hours. I also intend to introduce innovative technology solutions such as self help facilities to make booking and seat reservations easier and more convenient for our clients.