Bello pledges supports to peace, security in Kogi

Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has said that his administration would continue to support religious bodies and groups that are committed to the promotion of peace, security and unity in the state.

The governor who was represented by the Kogi State Security Adviser, Retired Navy Commander Jerry Omodara, made the pledge yesterday while speaking at a workshop on peace and security organised by the Kogi State chapter of the Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI).

He said the government has been engaging stakeholders in dialogues to address the issues of clashes between farmers and pastoralists which were witnessed in some parts of the state recently.

Earlier in an address, the Kogi State chairman of JNI, Amb. Usman Bello said the workshop with the theme: “Peace, Unity and Security: The Role of Muslim Ummah in Democracy”, was aimed addressing the challenges of security problems which often emanate due to lack of tolerance.

He emphasised the need for The Edo State government has urged local government pensioners across the state to report for verification and payment of their pension arrears.

The state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, had during workers’ day celebration announced the release of N1.5billion to liquidate part of the outstanding N2.5 billion pension arrears owed local government retirees,

The Commissioner of Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Jimoh Ijegbai, who disclosed this in a statement directed local government pensioners to go to the local people of the state irrespective of their religious and political differences to embrace the ideals of unity and peaceful co-existence to enable the state make progress.

Amb Bello commended the governor for promoting religious harmony since he came into power by aligning himself and his government with the various religious organizations in the state. government where they retired this week with all relevant documents for verification.

Ijegbai said the verification exercise was to enable them commence immediate payment of their arrears as approved by the state.

He said the governor has instructed that all outstanding salaries and pension arrears due to local government staff and pensioners be paid before the end of the year.

Ijegba said to ensure the payment, the governor approved N1.5billion from the Paris Club refund to liquidate part of the outstanding N2.5billion pension arrears due to local government employees.