Explosion in Kogi as Buhari visits

Three persons have been killed following an explosion in the Okene area of Kogi State. The incident happened on Thursday morning at the Oyinoyi’s Palace in Okenne Local Government Area of the state.

This is coming few hours to the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari to commission some projects in the North-Central state.

President Muhammadu Buhari has landed in Lokoja, Kogi State capital to inaugurate Governor Yahaya Bello’s legacy projects across the state.

The state governor thanked the president and his entourage for honouring his invitation to inaugurate the projects that would connect the state with neighbouring states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, at the event on Thursday.

The governor added that he wished the president would spend up to a week during his next visit to the state because there are thousands of projects built by his administration to enhance the socioeconomic prospect of the state.

Kogi State earlier declared today (Thursday) a public holiday in preparation for the President’s visit.

A statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, on Sunday, urged the people of Kogi State to come out en masse to receive the President and display the hospitality they are known for.

The state government also urged all labour unions and security agencies in the state to ensure full compliance.

The statement reads, “The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR shall be visiting Kogi State on the 29th of December, 2022 to commission legacy projects across the State.

“In view of this and to ensure a hitch free reception of Mr President, the Government of Kogi State under the leadership of His Excellency Alh. Yahaya Bello wishes to announce that Thursday 29th of December, 2022 has been declared as a public holiday.

“The decision is to enable the people of the state to receive our President. We urge all our labour unions and security agencies to ensure full compliance.

“Government wishes to call on the people of the State to come out enmasse to receive Mr President and display the hospitality we are known for as he will be commissioning life-touching legacy projects across the State.”