The Kogi Government on Saturday affirmed that the convoy of Gov. Yahaya Bello was attacked on Saturday by gunmen, along the Abuja-Lokoja highway.

it said the attack took place near a Naval Base, a few kilometers away from Lokoja, the state capital.

The Kogi Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, made the disclosure in a statement in Lokoja.

Fanwo alleged that the gunmen were political thugs of an opposition political party in the state, the  Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The commissioner said the incident which occurred at about 12.30 p.m., left several people including security aides injured and taken to the hospital for medical attention.

“The gunmen suspected to be political thugs of the SDP, having sighted the convoy of  Bello approaching, blocked the road and started shooting at the convoy.

“A Tundra branded with the logo and flags of the party also blocked the governor’s vehicle and the occupants were armed with rifles and shotguns.

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello

“But thank God our governor left the scene unscathed and there is no cause for panic.

“Some security aides and other aides attached to the governor sustained some degrees of injuries and have been rushed to medical facilities for attention.

“We urge the people of Kogi to remain calm as security agents are in full control to ensure the arrest of the hoodlums behind the attack, ” he said.

Fanwo said the state government would not allow any breakdown of law and order but would do all it could to bring the attackers to justice.

According to him, the governor has warned against every kind of attack as insecurity from any quarter will be met with stiff penalties.

Responding, Mr Kunle Afolayo, Media Aide to the SDP Governorship Candidate, Mr Yakubu Ajaka, denied the allegations saying: “it was the other way round because it was his political thugs that attacked us.”

 “Is it possible for an opposition political party to attack a governor just like that?

“We were on our way to the Palace of Maigari in Lokoja from Koton Karfe this afternoon, when the governor’s convoy, heading to Lokoja from Abuja, met us on the way and launched an attack on us just like that.

“God knows the truth. It’s unfortunate that APC administration in Kogi is using government might against us and to lie against us for a crime they committed against us,” the media aide further explained. 

… Vows to Defend Nigeria From Terror, Criminality – Tinubu***

President Bola Tinubu says he will take steps to ensure price control for agricultural products.

Tinubu said this in his inaugural address on Monday in Abuja.

According to him, rural income shall be secured by commodity exchange boards guaranteeing minimal prices for certain crops and animal products.

He said that agricultural hubs would be created throughout the nation to increase production and engage in value-added processes.

“The livestock sector will be introduced to best modern practices and steps taken to minimise the perennial conflict over land and water resources in the sector.

“Through these actions, food shall be made more abundant yet less costly. Farmers shall earn more while the average Nigerian pays less,” he said.

On foreign policy, Tinubu said that the crisis in Sudan and the turn from democracy by several nations in “our immediate neighbourhood were of pressing concern”.

He said that his primary foreign policy objective would be the peace and stability of the West African continent.

“We shall work with ECOWAS, the AU, and willing partners in the international community to end extant conflicts and to resolve new ones.

“As we contain threats to peace, we shall also retool our foreign policy to more actively lead the regional and continental quest for collective prosperity, ” he said.

The President called on all Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliations, to support his government in his bid to take Nigeria to greater heights.

“Our administration will govern on your behalf but never rule over you.

“We shall consult and dialogue with, but never dictate. We shall reach out to all but never put down a single person for holding views contrary to our own.

“We are here to further mend and heal this nation not tear and injure it,” he said.

In the meantime, President, Bola Tinubu, has promised to defend Nigeria from terror and all forms of criminality threatening the peace and stability of the country and the sub-region.

Tinubu said this in his inaugural address after he was sworn in as the 16th democratically elected president of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja.

He said that security shall be the top priority of his administration, saying that neither prosperity nor justice could prevail amidst insecurity and violence.

“To effectively tackle this menace, we shall reform both our security Doctrine and its Architecture.

“We shall invest more in our security personnel, and this means more than an increase in number.

“We shall provide, better training, equipment, pay and firepower,” he said.

Tinubu said his mission was to improve the lives of Nigerians in a manner that nurtured humanity, encourage compassion toward one another, and duly rewards collective effort to resolve the social ills that sought to divide the nation.

“Our constitution and laws give us a nation on paper, saying we must work harder at bringing these noble documents to life by strengthening the bonds of economic collaboration, social cohesion, and cultural understanding,” he said.

He called for the development of a shared sense of fairness and equity, adding that the South must not only seek good for itself but must understand that its interests were served when good come to the North.

“The North must see the South likewise.

“Whether from the winding creeks of the Niger Delta, the vastness of the northern savannah, the boardrooms of Lagos, the bustling capital of Abuja, or the busy markets of Onitsha, you are all my people.

“As your president, I shall serve with prejudice toward none but compassion and amity towards all.

“In the coming days and weeks, my team will publicly detail key aspects of our programme,” he said.

… Says Subsidy is gone

 President Bola Tinubu, has promised to revisit the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Tinubu, who said this in his inaugural speech in Abuja on Monday, however, said that his administration would treat both the old and the new naira notes as legal tender.

He said that the policy was harshly applied by CBN, given the number of unbanked Nigerians.

“Whatever merits it had in concept, the currency swap was too harshly applied by the CBN,” he said.

Tinubu said that the country’s monetary policy needed thorough housecleaning.

He urged the CBN to work toward a unified exchange rate.

“This will direct funds away from arbitrage into meaningful investment in the plant, equipment and jobs that power the real economy.

“The interest rate needs to be reduced to increase investment and consumer purchasing in ways that sustain the economy,” he said.

In the meantime, Sen. Bola Tinubu on Monday, has finally been sworn in, as the 16th Nigeria’s President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces amidst pomp and page

This followed his swearing-in at  10:37 a.m at a Presidential Inauguration held at the Eagle Square in Abuja.

Sen. Kashim Shettima was also sworn-in as the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at about 10:30 a.m.

The President shortly after taking the Oath of Office proceeded to inspect the Brigade of Guards.
This was closely followed by a ceremonial parade, air display by the Nigerian Airforce, cultural display as well as 21 Gun Salute. 

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has declared that the subsidy regime will end with the commencement of his administration.

He made the declaration during his inauguration as the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja, stressing that subsidy has over the years favoured the rich more than the poor.

The president commended the decision of the outgoing administration in phasing out the petrol subsidy regime.

“Subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources.

“We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, healthcare and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions,” he said.

On job creation, the president said his administration would create meaningful opportunities for the youth.

He said his administration would honour the campaign commitment of one million new jobs in the digital economy.

Tinubu said: “Our government also shall work with the National Assembly to fashion an Omnibus Jobs and Prosperity Bill.

“This Bill will give our administration the policy space to embark on labour-intensive infrastructural improvements.

“The Bill will also encourage light industry and provide improved social services for the poor, elderly and vulnerable.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu took his oath of office amidst pomp and pageantry at the Eagle Square in Abuja.

He was sworn-in at 10.37 a.m, while, Sen. Kashim Shettima was equally sworn-in as the 16th Vice President at exactly 10:30 a.m.