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Bello- Koko Riding the Firestorm of Proxy War

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Bello-Koko

The 2023 presidential election is getting interesting by the day, and already the key contenders are already finding the turf a ball of fire. Firestorm has begun along with demarketing of key opponents using direct and proxies to fight dirty in order to gain advantage over opponents perceived as threats.
There are those who feel threatened that the current managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko’s achievements will dwarf theirs, hence the campaign of calumny against his person.
The current smear campaign against Bello-Koko, is widely believed to be political and a proxy war with the target being the transport minister Rotimi Amaechi.
Koko has had a long association with Amaechi dating back to the time he was governor of Rivers State, then Koko was the account officer managing Rivers State account in Zenith Bank. So, the current smear campaign is something we are taking with a pinch of salt given the context, but we are investigating. So far, we have not found anything indicting, but on his job, we know Koko has performed beyond expectation at the NPA”, says John Atteh of Anti- corruption Network in his chat with this medium.
Bello Koko, is alleged to have bought a house worth £1,750,000 in the United Kingdom in 2015,
“Why the sudden interest in Bello- Koko, prior to the declaration of his friend, Rotimi Amaechi, he was not accused by any group or person of corruption. I don’t condone corruption, but I believe we should not in the name of politics or bring-him-down syndrome accuse a person that has not been proven by a competent court of the land to have embezzled public funds. Let EFCC says he has abused his office, he should not be judged on the basis of his association with Amaechi or his activity at the Zenith Bank. Has Zenith Bank indicted him?”, Olufemi Omoyele director of Entrepreneurship at Redeemers University and a public affairs commentator told NATIONAL WAVES .
Sources familiar with the allegations say they are “spurious” in nature, adding that the real target is how to distract Bello-Koko and the same time get at Rotimi Amaechi who is believed to be one of the front runners for presidential position come 2023.
The Kebbi state-born banker was the Zenith Bank accounts officer to Rivers state government when Rotimi Amaechi was governor.
Bello Koko had worked in the banking circles in Rivers for a long time, rising to become deputy regional manager at Zenith Bank Plc.
In 2016, Bello-Koko was appointed executive Director of NPA after he proceeded on a leave of absence from the bank in 2015.
He was in charge of finance and administration under the sacked MD, Hadiza Bala-Usman.
Unconfirmed report revealed that the mansion located at 2A Beech Hill, Barnet, Greater London, EN4 0JP was bought by Bello-Koko on November 06, 2015, at £1,750,000.
But analysts and commentators who spoke with this medium are of the view that if Bello- Koko was that corrupt, he would have also been investigated along with the former managing director of NPA, Hadiza Bala-Usman since he was the executive director finance under the former managing director.
According to unconfirmed allegation making the rounds, Bello-Koko bought a house in the United Kingdom
The so- called anti- corruption group, Say No To Corruption, who made the allegations is believed to be a front for the proxy war. The group has asked the EFCC to investigate how Koko managed to purchase the alleged property at £1.75Million.
“Our investigations revealed that the coordinator of the so-called anti- corruption , Ahmed Abubakar has links with one of the presidential aspirants and also fronting for some aggrieved former top staff of the NPA”, Dejo Alege, an activist told NATIONAL WAVES.
Alege said there’s need to eschew politics in the fight against graft.
One commentator said since the time of purchase of the alleged property was 2015, Koko was still with Zenith Bank and had not even been appointed into any position at NPA.
The man at the centre of the storm ever since he assumed duty as the managing director of the Nigeria Ports Authority has made anti-corruption fight one of his cardinal programmes.
Bello-Koko had reiterated the organisation’s commitment to the elimination of systemic corruption and other criminal practices at the nation’s seaports.
He has severally reiterated  the Authority’s position to operate in compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) as stipulated in the Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM), a project it funded, to enhance operational excellence and service delivery at all Nigerian seaports and terminals.
Bello-Koko has created a more friendly atmosphere at NPA for doing business in the nation’s maritime industry, according to insiders and stakeholders who spoke with this medium
Not too long ago, a stakeholder in maritime business, Olusegun Ologbese,  commended  Bello-Koko, for his achievements within a short time he was appointed.
Ologbese said his actions are replica of one of the best former chief executive of the NPA, Alhaji Wali Ahmed, who turned around the fortune of the Authority in his time.
He commended Bello-Koko on the recent promotions and confirmation as the substantive managing director of the NPA, stating, “For the past eleven years former Managing Directors of NPA had always gone outside to poach retiring officers to head departments.’’
The NPA is a strategic revenue generating agency of the Nigeria Federal Government, hence who occupies the position of MD of the agency must be one who knows his or her onions and who is daring enough to walk where others dread to step.
And in less than ten months, 53-year-old  Bello-Koko, has proved his mettle at NPA, thus affirming that he was indeed  the man who the cap of who presides as the MD of NPA, fits.
As tasking as the banking industry is, Bello-Koko walked through it and got to the peak of his career as a banker during his days in the banking industry without any blemish. If he had any he would have been fished out by EFCC.
He commenced his work career with FSB International Bank Plc, Port Harcourt, Rivers State; as Executive trainee-banking operations in 1996 and was there till 2004. Bello-Koko would later rise to various positions such as Banking Officer-Credit and later Senior Banking Officer, Senior Treasury Officer and later position of Manager.
In furtherance of his banking career, he later joined one of Nigeria’s banking giant, Zenith Bank, where he became the Deputy General Manager, Zonal Head and member, Zenith Bank management team.
In 2016, Bello-Koko embarked on a leave of absence from the bank to take up his appointment as NPA Executive Director, in service to dear nation, Nigeria.
In his days as Executive Director according to insiders at NPA, he was outstanding.
As a Management staff during his days as Executive Director (Finance and Administration) of the NPA, he was very loyal to his oath of office and he was very loyal as a patriot, to his nation, Nigeria.
“He turned down any inducements of any sort, he was honest to a fault, he stood firmly against acts of corruption and he stood for what is right regardless of whose ox was gored.  So, I’m surprised at the allegations, even EFCC has nothing against him so far”, an NPA staff who does not want his identity revealed told this medium.
Ever since  Bello-Koko  took charge it has been all about how the agency will be able to improve the revenue base of the nation, improving the maritime sector and yet also ensuring that the nation is not shortchanged in anyway by anybody in the agency.
Little wonder most NPA staff and stakeholders were ecstatic as the whiff of celebrations pervades the air-joyousness cascades in torrents all in honour of Bello-Koko when he was conformed as the substantive managing director of NPA.
“Bello-Koko is not your run-of-the-mill government functionary; he depicts an extraordinary egghead who has set a benchmark that cannot be easily equaled. He is reputed for hard work and dedication to duty.
It is not out of place to say Bello Koko who presides over the NPA has an in-depth knowledge of his career. Little wonder, he made mincemeat of his assignments to the admiration of his superiors and subordinates.
One will not be far from the truth to say the heroes of an epoch are often recognized as its clear-sighted ones; their deeds and words are the best of their time. They are men like Bello-Koko who exerts every ounce of his wealth of experience and energy to ensure he puts his best to achieve the desired result regarding his duties.
Bello-Koko is a perfectionist with a difference; he attaches great value to integrity and honesty not undermining a disruptive mindset and unmistaken eyes for details” said a stakeholder in the maritime industry.

 

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APC Group, Ondo Govt, Quarrel Over Money for Endorsement

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Lucky Aiyedatiwa

The Ondo State government and a group within the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Ondo State Redemption Initiative (OSRI) have disagreed over the allegation that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is using the State resources to fund his governorship ambition.
While OSRI said the governor has planned to use the resources of the State to procure endorsement of State lawmakers in Abuja’s secretariat of the APC, the government described the allegation as balderdash and not worthy of its reaction.
The group through its President, Pastor Adebayo Ogunsanmi, Secretary, Jide Oriola, and Publicity Secretary, Sunday Ayeni accused the Aiyedatiwa of setting aside $180 million to bribe lawmakers for phantom endorsement.
The group said it would be wrong for a Governor to use the State’s resources for selfish political ambition when majority of citizens are wallowing in abject poverty.
In a statement titled ‘Aiyedatiwa offers lawmakers $10.000 dollars for Abuja endorsement’ said Aiyedatiwa has taken his desperation to another level by using dollars to bribe lawmakers for endorsement.
The group said the previous endorsement has been denied and warned the governor against using the State’s resources meant for Infrastructural development to bribe lawmakers who have lost relevance in their constituency.
The OSRI said “Desperate effort by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state to offer 10,000 dollars to each member of the state assembly for endorsement has been exposed.
“The plot, according to inside sources, will involve a trip by 18 lawmakers from the state to accompany the governor to the national headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during which they will stage the endorsement.
“Aiyedatiwa is desperately going round for endorsements. The latest is a plan to get 18 lawmakers from the state to accompany him to the national headquarters of the APC in Abuja where they will endorse him.
“But since he knew that he could not get the 18 members to do the dirty job, he has offered each member 18,000 dollars, believing that the money would be too tempting to reject.”
However, the government in its reaction through Special Assistant to Aiyedatiwa on New Media, Mr Sunday Abire described the allegation as hogwash.
Abire said “Why will the Governor bribe the Ondo State House of Assembly in the first? The same Governor that has been accused by politicians of not being a spendthrift? Which should we hold dearly now? It is the season of mischief and the Governor is too focused to be distracted.”

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13 Ondo Assembly Members Disown Endorsement of Aiyedatiwa

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Lucky Aiyedatiwa
Thirteen members of the Ondo State House of Assembly have disowned an anouncement reportedly made by the speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, endorsing Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election.
In a statement signed by the thirteen members, and tagged, ‘Ondo State House of Assembly’s speaker’s disrepect for the independence and integrity of the house in his endorsement politics’, they maintained that the assembly did not at any time passed any resolution to endorse Governor Aiyedatiwa.
The statement was jointly signed by Hon Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, Majority Leader; Hon MoyinOlorun Taiwo Ogunwumiju, Parliamentary Secretary, Hon Oluwarotimi Babatunde Fasonu, Chief Whip; Hon Olajide Johnson Oguntodu, Minority Leader; Hon Raymond Daodu, Deputy Minority Leader and Hon Akinsuroju Akindolani Nelson.
Others are Hon Akomolafe Temitope, Hon Ifabiyi Samuel Olatunji, Hon Agbulu Tope Akeem, Hon Christopher Odunayo Ayebusiwa, Hon Atinuke Morenike Witherspoon, Hon Biola John Oladapo and Hon Afe Felix.
The thirteen assembly members, who expressed shock and disappointment in the action of the speaker, described the announcement made by him as untrue, misleading, un-parliamentary and ridiculous.
They subsequently came up with four resolutions: “1. At no point did the Ondo State House of Assembly deliberate the governorship ambition of any of the numerous aspirants that have indicated their interests to contest for the State’s 2024 Governorship Election, let alone agree to support any particular aspirant.
“2. Mr. Speaker lacks the moral and legal authorities to speak or pledge support for any governorship aspirant on behalf of the House without the explicit consent of members.
“3. Mr. Speaker has, by his unconventional and false public declaration, misrepresented the honourable House, and in so doing, brought the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly into disrepute, needless controversies and breached our confidence in his leadership.
“4. Consequently, we hereby pass a vote of no-confidence in the leadership of the Speaker, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji.”
The statement further states, “The Ondo State House of Assembly wishes to categorically state that it has not passed any resolution to endorse the incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, as purportedly announced by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji.
“The House of Assembly operates on democratic principles, and would formally take a collective decision, follow due process and the relevant laws governing the State where it wishes to take any decision regarding the endorsement of a gubernatorial candidate
“As Honourable members of the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly, we were shocked and disappointed to hear the public declaration made by the Honourable Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Olamide Oladiji, to the extent that the Ondo State House of Assembly has agreed to support the governorship ambition of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.
“The said declaration by Mr. Speaker is untrue, misleading, un-parliamentary, and, to say the least, ridiculous.
We therefore wish to inform the good people of Ondo State at home and in the diaspora that:
“The House of Assembly however reaffirms its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all decisions taken are transparent enough and are in the best interest of the people of Ondo State.”

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Otunba Gbenga Daniel Embarks on Thank You Tour of Ogun East Senatorial District

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OGD


The Senator representing Ogun East District, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, is set to embark on a thank you tour of the senatorial district, starting with Ijebu Ode Local Government.
The interactive session will take place at Obanta Club, beside Obalofin Court, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on February 19, 2024.
The event aims to provide a platform for Senator Daniel to receive feedback on his senatorial activities, as well as to engage with constituents on empowerment initiatives, eye surgeries, and distribution of palliatives.
Covering a wide area, the Ogun East Senatorial District includes the local government areas of Ijebu East, Ijebu North, Ijebu North East, Ijebu Ode, Ikenne, Odogbolu, Ogun Waterside, Remo North, and Sagamu.
Ogidi Omo, as he is fondly called and who was also a former governor of Ogun State from 2003 to 2011, brings a wealth of experience to his role as senator, having served in various capacities in Nigeria’s political landscape. 
His decision to serve his people at the national assembly was met with overwhelming support in the 2023 General Election, when he cleared all nine local government areas in the senatorial district.
Otunba Daniel secured 115,147 of the 190,640 valid votes to defeat other candidates in the contest for the senatorial seat.

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