[b][/b]

Kogi Speaker, Rt. Hon Mathew Kolawole yesterday 21st April, 2019 met with Kabba/Bunu Obas to declare his intention to return to Kogi State House of Assembly in 2019.

The Speaker while speaking to the gathering took time to enumerate his numerous projects across the constituency which include 18 boreholes, 2 cottage hospitals currently under construction, renovation of market stalls in Obelle, employment of over 90 constituents, engagement of over 152 youths on his skills acquisition scheme, financial donations to various churches and communities, bursary and scholarship to students, annual sponsorship of inter school quiz and debate competition.

Kolawole further hinted on his legislative exploits which include the reversal of General Hospital Kabba to Specialist Hospital Kabba, inclusion of Ikowa- Opa road, Kabba- Olle Iluke road, in the 2018 budget and renovation of Kabba water projects.

Prince Kolawole further informed the Obas that he denoted the sum of 2 million naira to complete the OkeOffin Ayede- Olle -Igbo Bunu electrification project which is due for commissioning any moment from now. He cleared the air on whether or not the donated sum was a loan. He informed everyone that he did not give the money as a loan but rather an aid to the communities to give them light.

Rt. Hon Mathew Kolawole absolved himself of his involvement in the delay of the announcement of Obaro of Kabba. He explained that he had no hand in the delay of the announcement of Obaro, as he does not have the power to decide the timing of the announcement of the new Obaro. He explained that he is aware of the vacancy of other 1st class traditional rulers in the state of which the announcement would probably be done at the same time.

In his reaction, the Obadofin of Kabba Oba Michael Yusuf thanked the Speaker for his quality representation at the Assembly, he prayed to God to continue to bless the Speaker so as to continue his good work. He urged everyone to rally round him and urged all his supporters to continue to support him.

The Obaro of Olle Oba Dambaba speaking on behalf of Bunu Obas thanked Prince Kolawole for being an outstanding representative, stating that Prince Kolawole has tremendously surpassed his predecessors.

He urged Kabba people to stand by the Speaker urging them to drop the idea of clannish politics which is inimical to development while assuring the Speaker of Bunu people's support.

In a similar vein the Speaker presented two branded vehicles to his 2019 campaign coordinators. Equally, he presented a Lexus Jeep to Chief Olorunsaiye on behalf of Governor Yahaya Bello. Chief Olorunsaye is the Chairman of Elders Forum Kabba/Bunu /Ijumu Federal Constituency.

Olorunsuwa, Elijah
S.A. Media to the Speaker.

*Being the presentation of Rt. Hon. M.O. Kolawole; Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly and Member Representing Kabba/Bunu Constituency at the 2ND Town Hall Meeting on Friday 29th December, 2017 at St Augustine’s College Hall, Kabba*


Protocols,

With gratitude to Almighty God, I warmly welcome you to another edition of Constituency briefing also called town hall meeting. The mandate you, the good people of Kabba/Bunu Constituency gave me comes with a lot of responsibilities; as regards giving quality representation and attracting dividends of democracy.

I come before you today to present my report on my various activities in lawmaking and other ways I have been able with God's guidance and your support to deliver on the various electoral promises I made to you while seeking for office.

It is therefore imperative to give an account of the ‘journey so far’
From an intriguing primary to a sapping main election and an exasperating litigation that challenged with intent to upturn the mandate, you gave to me, it was a path filled with hurdles.
After my inauguration on the 4th of June, 2015; I emerged the Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly even as a first timer.

This position I retained for two years and two months despite the crisis that engulfed the Assembly which lasted for almost one year until I was elected the 12th Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly on 3rd August, 2017.

Making laws for good governance is the primary duty of any legislator and on this; a lot has been achieved during the period under review. Impacting positively on the lives of people has always been my desire and it has been my guiding principle and the motivation of my aspiration.
ACHIEVEMENTS.

On resumption, I swung to action and facilitated the construction of 2 block classroom in Igori-Bunu Primary School, Odo-Appe Ward; Gbeleko Primary School, Egbeda Ward and Idoyi Primary School, Iluke Ward with the last two already completed and the first in advance stage of completion.
As part of Constituency Projects in 2015/2016, I embarked on drilling of seven (7) boreholes in Aiyeteju, Aiyeteju/Kajola, Okekoko in Okekoko Ward, Okedayo in Okedayo Ward and Iduge in Egbeda Ward in Kabba District while Aiyegunle-Igun in Okebukun Ward, and Aiyede in Olle-Okeofin Ward in Bunu District benefitted. Due to the topography of Kiri axis of Bunu land, drilling of new boreholes is very difficult with inability of the equipments to access locations. I therefore embarked on the rehabilitation of existing boreholes that have been in various stages of disrepair and have not been functional in a long time in the two wards in Kiriland. As at today, the borehole in Ofere is now providing potable water for the community while others will be functional any time from now.
Aside water projects, I realized the need for concerted efforts to reposition the economic status of the people and launched N500, 000 Empowerment Scheme with 50 market women as beneficiaries wherein each beneficiary received N10, 000 to boost their businesses. It is pertinent to note that beneficiaries were drawn from all the 15 wards in Kabba/Bunu Constituency.

On scholarship in 2016/17, I spent about N3 million to purchase WAEC and JAMB forms for students across the constituency. In a bid to reposition secondary education in Kabba/Bunu Constituency, I organized and sponsored Inter-Secondary Schools Quiz Competition for the secondary schools in our Constituency. This program lasted for three months and gulped about N5 million and showcased the intellectual ability of the students with Community High School, Okeofin-Bunu emerging winner followed by St. Mary's Secondary School, Ayede-Bunu and Wise Virgin Secondary School, Kabba coming third.

To assist indigent students, I donated the sum of N500, 000 (five hundred thousand naira only) to Kabba Development Union (KDU), Education Endowment Fund and another sum of N500,000 (five hundred thousand naira only) to support the Education Endowment Program of Bunu Development Association (BDA).

On 1st July, 2017 I undertook a multimillion Naira empowerment program with over 320 people across the fifteen wards benefiting. Items distributed include; sewing machines, grinding machines, hair dryers, farm tools, artisan tools, generator sets, microwave ovens, deep freezers, laptops, hair clippers and plastic chairs.

In August, 2017 I paid an unscheduled visit to the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja where I paid the medical bills of patients from Kabba/ Bunu Constituency and others who could not offset their bills.

Moved by the plight of widows and market women, I reached out to this vulnerable but vital group in October, 2017 by assisting and empowering them with grants to boost their small scale businesses.

During this program, I gave the sum of N500, 000 (five hundred thousand naira) to Kabba Central Market Women Association to support their Cooperative and Thrift Society while two other women groups got N250, 000 (two hundred and fifty thousand Naira) each and 45 (forty-five) other businesswomen; three each from the fifteen wards of the Constituency received N10, 000 each to support their ventures.

This is aside over 120 widows that were given various food items like rice, semovita, vegetable oil, clothing materials and cash.

Bunu Market Women Association also received a grant of N600, 000 (six hundred thousand naira only) to aid the businesses of their members in the axis of the constituency.

Other financial interventions I have made include the following;

1. N300, 000 (three hundred thousand naira) as deposit to complete the Primary Health Care Centre, Osomule-Bunu.

2. N500, 000 (five hundred thousand Naira to Kabba Day Celebration Committee.

3. N100, 000 to Bunu Students Association.

4. N100, 000 as support for Obangogo 2017 celebration.

5. Production of Bunu Students Association magazine at the cost of N400, 000.

6. N500,000 to Oluku Club, Kabba to support their education endowment fund Donations to Churches are as follows;

1. In 2016, I made donations of cash and musical equipments to several churches worth over N5 million.

2. St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Aiyetoro-Egunbe, Kabba; N100,000.00.

3. St Immanuel Anglican Church, Kabba; N100,000.00

4. St Andrews Anglican Church, Egbeda; N100,000.00.

5. St Peters Anglican Church, Edumo; N100,000.00

6. St. Barnabas Church, Aiyedun-Egunbe; N50,000.00

7.St. Bartholomew Church, Odo-Ape; N100,000.00.

8. Christ Apostolic Church, Olle; N50,000.00

9. Christ Apostolic Church, Okeofin, N100,000.00

10. Painting of St Barnabas Anglican Church, Aiyetoro-Egunbe; N160,000.00

11. Christ Apostolic Church, Aiyeteju; N300,000.00

12. Christ Apostolic Church, Iyah; N50,000.00.

13. St. Clement Church, Iyah; N100,000.00.

14. Christ Apostolic Church, Gbeleko; N100,000

15. 1st ECWA, Kabba; N100,000.00.

16. 2nd ECWA, Kabba; N100,000

17. Purchase of choir gown to 1st ECWA Women Choir

18. Sponsored Kabba/Bunu Interdenominational Crusade of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to the tune of N3.5 million.

Arrangements have been concluded for the take-off of Rt. Hon. (Prince) Matthew Kolawole Skills Acquisition Program where 100 youths from across the fifteen wards in Kabba/Bunu will benefit.

In the core area of legislation, I moved for the upgrading and renaming of the Zonal Hospital, Kabba and this motion got the attention of the State Government and the government not only effected the name change, it also established a Paediatric Section and the project is ongoing.

My motion on the rehabilitation of Kabba township roads forced the contractor to return to site after a long while.

I moved another motion for the provision of adequate staff for Kogi State College of Education (Technical), Kabba jointly sponsored by Hon. Victor Omofaiye.

I sponsored the motion on the upsurge of kidnapping that led to the establishment of the Joint Task Force by the State Government that has considerably reduced this menace.
I equally sponsored a private member bill onKogi State Sports Trust Fund which is has gone through second reading in the House.
I co-sponsored another private member bill on grazing.
The house is deliberating on various bills particularly that on Kogi state University which seeks to rename and decentralize the institution

I also sponsored the Road Traffic bill which has undergone public hearing waiting to be passed to law anytime from now.

Currently, 7 (seven) other bills have gone through public hearing awaiting passage to laws.

With the support and cooperation of my colleagues, several motions have been raised and resolutions passed. The Executive have also collaborated with the Assembly on various issues and the positive impact on the people cannot be over emphasized.

The journey so far is a manifestation of quality representation which is a clear departure from what we had in the past.

With your prayers and support, we have surmounted a lot of challenges and moving forward, things will surely get better. While it is not in doubt that a lot still need be done in a tricky situation of resources that are not only limited but dwindling.

I solemnly pledge to rededicate myself and do all within my power to attract more dividends of democracy that will improve the lives of the good people of this great Constituency.

Within the period under review, major political decisions were taken after due and diligent consultations with our elders and leaders all in a bid to position our Constituency in the mainstream of politics and governance in the State and glory be to God, the benefits are coming in. It can only get better!

I implore you all to continue praying for the present administration under the leadership of His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Bello for divine guidance and protection to succeed in the bid to take Kogi State to greater level.

I thank you all for honoring me with your presence today. I pray that our collective hopes and aspirations become reality for the benefit of all.

God bless Kabba-Bunu State Constituency!
God bless Kogi State!!
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!

This is to officially inform the entire public that one of the most peaceful and interesting kabba town Egungun ABO annual festival will be celebrated on 27th and 28th Of December 2017.


On the 27th of December 2017, which is the night vigil. The masquerade called Inuroko will arrive from far Bush to the shrine and after its arrival, there will be drumming, fluting and dancing In front of otu's house at Idi Akitipa Quarters Kabba from dusk to dawn.

On the 28th of December 2017 which is the grand-finale of the event, there will be procession of masquerades stools (Apopo Ègún) accompanied by two masquerades (Inu'oko and Aláṣẹ) and also a very large crowd of people from Omodo clan and spectators from otu's house at Idi Akitipa through Odo-Ero, Isẹ̀dó Allẹ́ẹ́(Ìdí 'lèmú) back to the shrine. This morning session of the event will be between 9.00am to 11.00am.

On that same 28th December between 3.00pm to 6.00pm, there will be different displays by masquerades as well as acrobatic(ọ̀wẹ̀ẹ̀) shows at Alla(field) in front of the shrine.

After series of different displays, the senior masquerade called Ajima will give his yearly message as regards what to do to averts disaster of any kind in Owe kingdom and its environs.

Kindly regard this notification letter as an invitation to the 2017 Kabba Ègúngún Abo festival.


Thank you and happy celebration.

Kogi Speaker Honoured As Youth Ambassador.


By Abel Olushola

The reputable Junior Chambers International (JCI) has honoured the Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Prince) M.O. Kolawole with an aw[b][/b]ard as Youth Ambassador.

The award of recognition was presented to the Speaker at the House of Assembly Complex after plenary session on Wednesday.

JCI, Kogi State University (KSU) chapter delivered the award on behalf of the leadership of JCI Nigeria with a seven-man team led by the Vice President, JC Adamu Semira .

Speaking during the presentation, JC Adamu said it becomes pertinent to decorate the Speaker as directed by the National JCI under the leadership of JC Richard Ojo.

The Speaker who was appointed JCI Youth Ambassador alongside the award earned the decoration through his legislative and political strive towards Youth Development across Kogi State in particular and Nigeria at large.

The Speaker while giving his receptive remark expressed appreciation and admonished the delegation to take their youthful days serious.

He also emphasized that they should make education excellence their priority by shunning cultism, thuggery and hooliganism.

The Speaker called the attention of the youths to the fact that electioneering period is here, and urged them to desist from being used negatively by politicians.

He dedicated the award to the entire members of the 6th Assembly, noting that the success achieved so far is a result of collective effort by all Honourable members.

The JCI is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, international, nongovernmental organization of young people between 18 and 40 years old, with members in 124 countries across the globe.

Other members of the team are; JC Haruna Atede Daniel, JC Jibrin Shuaib, JC Salamat Favour Opaluwa, JC Victoria Abuka, JC Umar Eadris and JC Mathew Okedi.

Distinguish Members present are Hon. Edoko Moses Ododo of Dekina-Biraidu and the Majority Leader, Hon. Abdullahi Bello of Ajaokuta State Constituency

2017 ABO EGUNGUN FESTIVAL YOU ARE WELCOME

The Egungun (ancestors) are the guardians of family morality and they can come down to help, create adversity or grant happiness.

Egungun are the spirits of our ancestors who occupy space in Heaven. Hence, they are called Ara Orun (Dwellers of Heaven). These ancestral spirits are in constant watch of their survivors on Earth.

They bless, protect, & warn the community against evil spirits, epidemics, feminine, witch-craft, and evil doers.

It's a centuries old tradition, and one of the most colourful cultural celebrations in West and Central Africa.

The festival revolves around the Egungun – a hidden fellowship of people who adopt elaborate masquerades and are supposed to morph into ancestral spirits during the event.

Every year thousands of people pour into the city of kabba (owe land) to celebrate this centuries old Yoruba tradition.

Men, women and children dance in the streets, possessed by the spirits of their ancestors.

This event is believed to play a unifying role in the community, bringing Christians, Muslims and traditionalists together in a single burst of colour.

This year festival is going to be a spectacular one, we wish all the people that will be coming home during this holiday period a journey mercy.

Happy celebration to all owe sons and daughters.


For more updates, kindly visit http://kogiwestupdates.simplesite.com

Olé gede gede ari 'modun

Real culture

2017 ABO EGUNGUN FESTIVAL YOU ARE WELCOME

The Egungun (ancestors) are the guardians of family morality and they can come down to help, create adversity or grant happiness.

Egungun are the spirits of our ancestors who occupy space in Heaven. Hence, they are called Ara Orun (Dwellers of Heaven). These ancestral spirits are in constant watch of their survivors on Earth.

They bless, protect, & warn the community against evil spirits, epidemics, feminine, witch-craft, and evil doers.

It's a centuries old tradition, and one of the most colourful cultural celebrations in West and Central Africa.

The festival revolves around the Egungun – a hidden fellowship of people who adopt elaborate masquerades and are supposed to morph into ancestral spirits during the event.

Every year thousands of people pour into the city of kabba (owe land) to celebrate this centuries old Yoruba tradition.

Men, women and children dance in the streets, possessed by the spirits of their ancestors.

This event is believed to play a unifying role in the community, bringing Christians, Muslims and traditionalists together in a single burst of colour.

This year festival is going to be a spectacular one, we wish all the people that will be coming home during this holiday period a journey mercy.

Happy celebration to all owe sons and daughters.


For more updates, kindly visit http://kogiwestupdates.simplesite.com