Alhaji Yakubu Yusuf Okala has not just emerge in the political scene like a relevant ghost with no traceable features that can be linked to his person.

Uniqueness, is not about whom you are. That is perception. But more of what you do.

Okala, is a goldfish in a gold bowl. He is an epitome of a malleable man, more like a metal like gold that is always willing to be little. It may come as the news of the year that much as he is willing to dip his hands unto his pocket to personally bankroll his gubernatorial campaigns, good spirited people to whom he is beholden will sprightly rise up to pick the call. Here, he is a lone candle that has light up numerous others. And he is not resting on his oars.

Alhaji Yakubu Yusuf Okala hailed from a remote village of Ajiyolo Ajikpome in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

He attended RCM Primary School AjiyoloOjaji from 1980 to 1985 where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate; after which he proceeded to Community Secondary School Ajiyolo from 1986 to 1988. He left the school after completing the Junior Secondary School for Government Secondary School (GSS), Dekina where he completed his Senior Secondary School in 1991.

In his quest to advance the course of his education to the peak of his profession Alhaji Yakubu Okala registered during the period of his National Service (NYSC) with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria in 2001 and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2002 after passing all the requisite subjects within a record period of less than two (2) years.

Alhaji Yakubu proceeded to the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1995 to 1999 whre he successfully completed his Bachelor Degree Programme in Accounting.

In his determination to advance his career he returned to Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in 2008 for his second degree where he completed his Master Degree in Banking & Finance in the year 2010.

Alhaji Yakubu Okala was awarded the highest level of honor in Accountancy profession in Nigeria a FELLOW of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria – ICAN in 2015 after 11years of post qualification and meritorious services in different sectors of the Nigerian economy.

His work experience commenced during his service to the nation (NYSC) between 2000 and 2001; as an Accountant in charge of Salaries and Variation and subsequently Final Accounts at the Head Quarters of Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Youth Development in Abuja.

Subsequently he joined a firm of Chartered Accountants; Earnest Ike & Co as Audit Senior between the years 2001 to 2002 from where he left to Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation – WOTCLEF a pet project of Her Excellency, Hajiya Amina Titi Atiku Abubakar, the wife of the former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where he served as the Head of Finance and Administration between 2002 and 2004.

To further his career and professional experience, he joined Prudent Bank in early 2005 shortly before its merger with other banks to become Skye Bank PLC. He served in different capacities in banking operations, and subsequently as Compliance Officer with the bank.

In October 2006, Alhaji Yakubu Okala joined the service of Intercontinental Bank PLC which eventually became Access Bank following their merger in 2010. He served meritoriously as a Residence Internal Controller, which afforded him opportunity to have travelled far and wide across the Six Geopolitical Zones and almost all the States of Nigeria. He voluntarily left the service of Access Bank PLC in the year 2012.

Between February to December 2012, He worked as Internal Audit Managerat Microcred Micro Finance Bank, a special purpose social intervention and financial inclusion service bank, sponsored by International Financial Corporation (IFC) and French Development Bank.

In January 2013 he Joined Arewa Cotton Nigeria Limited as the pioneer Head of Internal Audit, where he set the internal audit and control system for the company.

Alhaji Yakubu Okala left Arewa Cotton to Malaria Consortium on June 3, 2013 as the Country Management Accountant where he worked until February 2016. In the course of his assignment in Malaria Consortium, he has participated in compressive implementation of social intervention programmes especially in the Health Sector, funded by United State Agency for International Development (USAID), United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), World Health Organization (WHO), Melinda and Gate Foundation as well as Unitaids.

Alhaji Yakubu Okala was appointed by the Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello as Kogi State Auditor General on the 1st of March 2016 where he has worked assiduously to reposition the Office for better performance and service delivery.

Apart from his primary duty, he has worked in different sections of the State including membership of State Economic & Investment Committee, Chairman Staff Screening Appeal Committee, Chairman Pension Reform Committee, Member of State Council on Procurement, Member of Steering Committee of the Nigerian Korean Friendship Institute, among others.

As a philanthropist of the highest order, Alhaji Yakubu Okala has been contributing his quota towards uplifting the standard of living of those in dire needs especially in rural communities’ across the State, he has personally intervened in the provision and rehabilitation of street lights, boreholes and Schools, support indigent student to be able to pay for their JAMB, WAEC and School Fees for tertiary institution students.

He is known to be a disciplinarian, upright, straight forward and an advocate of the rule of law, and ensuring judicious utilization of meager resources in the most effective and efficient manner to the benefit of the generality of the citizenry.

It bears repeating that one should not easily forget his self awareness which makes him exudes confidence that whatever he touches will turn to gold.

Strategic and critical thinking makes him always a light year ahead of others. He is highly cerebral and he clinically watches his steps.

Humility is one rare asset you can’t snatch from him. Okala is as humble as a worm.

He is a team player anytime. He shares ideas with his subordinates and bows to superior arguments. These communication advantage further endear him to many.

With these covetous qualities and others, it is glaring, Y. Y. Okala is a leader to watch.The best man Kogi State can’t wait to have as Governor in 2023.

ALFRED DOGWO, is Head of Media & Publicity, Okala Gubernatorial Campaign Organization 2023
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… More support coming, Gov says
… Lauds Buhari, IGP

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on Tuesday handed over nine armoured personnel carriers to the Borno Command of the Nigerian Police Force to increase their capacity in crime prevention and responses.

Commissioner of Police in the state, Abdu Umar, received the APCs during a brief ceremony held in Maiduguri.

Zulum at the presentation commended the Borno Police Command and other security establishments for their extreme commitment in the fight against Boko Haram and preventing other crimes across the 27 local government areas of the state.

Our correspondent reports that Governor Zulum has, in nearly four years, released more than 1,300 patrol vehicles to a combination of the military, police, DSS, the paramilitary and volunteers in the civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes who have formations in all of Borno’s 27 local government areas.

… More APCs coming, Gov. says

Meanwhile, Governor Zulum has promised to approve more armoured personnel carriers and other forms of support to the Nigerian Police and other security outfits working to restore peace in Borno State.

“Our administration will continue to support the Nigerian Police to deliver their objectives of protecting lives and properties of citizens. We will buy more APCs and Insha Allah we will extend more pf our support to all the security agencies” Zulum said.

… Lauds Buhari, IGP

The governor commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his ceaseless commitment in the fight against insurgents which has significantly helped in Borno’s ongoing stability.

“For us in Borno State, there is nothing we can say rather than to thank the federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari for restoring peace and stability in Borno State. This can never be feasible without the support of the Nigerian military, the Nigerian Police, the DSS, NSCDC, paramilitary and our volunteers”, Zulum said.

Zulum also paid tribute to the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman.

“Let me commend the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman, for the giant stride he has been making in reforming the Nigerian Police and ensuring peace and stability in the country since he assumed the mantle of leadership as the IGP”, the Governor noted.

The Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party(SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo has paid glowing tributes to the late Air Commodore Dan Suleiman yesterday, describing him as a man who not only defended the nation while he was alive but also fought against its adversaries right up until the moment of his death.

Prince Adebayo described Dan Suleiman as an astute leader who served the country meritoriously, only to be forced into an exile for opposing subsequent military dictatorships.

The presidential hopeful added that the late Suleiman depicts a God fearing, committed and dedicated leader who was intellectually inquisitive and most times compassionate, indefatigable, hospitable, well-meaning, resourceful, egalitarian, charismatic, detribalised, conscientious and philanthropic to a fault.

It is evident that our culture continues to adhere to the unhealthy custom of concealing all the excellent deeds, actions, and omissions until after the main character has died.

This is undoubtedly true of the
late Air Commodore Dan Suleiman, a man who not only defended the nation while he was alive but also fought against its adversaries right up until the moment of his death.

Late Suleiman was a man of destiny, having traversed many pedestals of human challenges and terrains. He was a committed and unrepentant Nationalist who believed in the unity of our dear
country. As a military officer, he was arguably the best fighter pilot the country has ever produced.

He fought to preserve the unity of the country during the civil war and up until his passing, he directed his daily activities toward fostering that unity. An astute leader who served the country meritoriously, only to be forced into an exile for opposing subsequent military dictatorships.

The climax and eloquent testimony to Dan Suleiman’s singular and enduring contributions to the development of Nigeria’s democracy was the roles he played as one of the founding fathers of SDP and NADECO leader. He was a great democrat who fought and defended
our democracy with everything he had. We at the Social Democratic Party (SDP) are proud to associate with him as one of our founding fathers. His selfless services are worthy of emulation and we are proud to be associated with his efforts. All by a dint of hard work, devotion, vision and perseverance, the great Commodore successfully transmogrified from a military leader into an unrepentant democrat cum quintessential political leader.

Air Commodore Dan Suleiman was a devout Christian with a mixed trait of the spirit of a Christlike character. It is to his eternal credit that he used religion as a tool in fostering national unity. His life
was a true example that one need not be an elected official to be relevant to one’s community or nation.

He had in his kitty, the feelings of care and empathy for the wellbeing of others. He was not only a devout Christian, he was also famed in other admirable human endeavour and pursuits. A closer look
at the other side of him depicts a God fearing, committed and dedicated leader. He was intellectual.

‘

‘The Labour Of Our Heroes Past Shall Never Be In Vain’ Adewole Adebayo Visits Emir of Lafia, Says Nigerian Will Unite Again If Elected

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) Presidential Candidate, Prince Adebayo yesterday paid homage to the Emir of Lafia, Sidi Bage-Mohammed( l )in the Nasarawa State.

“God did not make mistake in creating Nigeria, rather bad leadership has made it look otherwise.” Adewole said – Nigeria is blessed with so much resources such that every citizen should live above poverty line, but today, 99 per cent (of the population) cannot boast of N100,000 in their savings accounts.

“The wealth of this nation is concentrated in the hands of just one per cent, who are stinkingly rich. This is not acceptable. When we are elected, this evil will be corrected. He stated that people’s welfare was central in the minds of people like Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa and Obafemi Awolowo.

“The White Horse ‘SDP’ will unite Nigeria again if elected. Today, we are more divided on ethnic and religious grounds. This was what we never saw happening among our founding fathers till recently.”

Emir of Lafia, Sidi Bage-Mohammed appealed to Nigerians to remain peaceful before, during and after the elections.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) Presidential Candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo has warned that there is an agenda to postpone the 2023 general elections and install an interim government in Nigeria.

Adebayo disclosed this in a statement posted on his verified Twitter handle today Wednesday, warning youths not to take part in protests.

According to him, the protests will be used as an excuse by some people, believably people in President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, to postpone the elections.

He writes: “Before joining any street protests, think twice. In fact, don’t do it. Take it from me, this is what they want you to do so that elections can be postponed and a dastardly “Interim Government” is cobbled up comprising the same clique. I have told them to count me out of it. Never!”

Former Minister of State for Education, Kenneth Gbagi, has declared that the presidential candidates of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and that of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adebayo Adewole were the only qualified candidates for the February 25 polls.

Gbagi who is the SDP governorship candidate in Delta State, insisted that it was the turn of a Christian from the southern part of Nigeria to produce the president.

Answering questions from newsmen in Asaba where he appeared on ‘The Platform’ a flagship programme of the state council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Gbagi said if Muslims continue to run the country for unbroken ten years, it will become an Islamic state.

“This is the turn of a Christian to rule the country, it is the turn of a Christian. Do whatever you want to do, you cannot change what God has said.

“I say to you, they can come and promise heaven and earth but we have seen the effect of a Muslim governance for eight years.

“So there are only two candidates that are qualified as Christians which is the candidates of the SDP, Adewole Adebayo and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, they are both qualified as Christian candidates from the southern part of Nigeria.

“If a Muslim rule any country for ten years non-stop, that country has become an Islamic state ditto for the Christians. That is why the presidency should be rotated for eight years.

“They have done eight years now, and they are coming to give people money but this is the turn of Christian presidency,” he declared.

Gbagi debunked rumours that he was working for the presidential candidate of Labour Party, explaining that ‘Obidients’ in Delta State have agreed to work for his own governorship ambition.
According to him, Obi had wanted him to run for the governorship of Delta on the platform of Labour Party but that he opted for SDP, maintaining that he is over and above his contenders in the race.

“I make bold to tell you that Obi spoke to me several times and wanted me to run under LP. The day he launched his presidential bid here in Asaba, my phone was inundated, he spoke to me three times. But this party, SDP, is the one for Delta State.

“Now a few things popped up, Obidients for Obi wanting to work for Gbagi, I cannot stop anybody. The reason the Obidient people have identified with me here in Delta is because they believe in my credentials.

“If I had wanted to join Obi in LP, I would have done so. Unfortunately the LP governorship candidate is from Bomadi in Delta South. This election is for the Urhobos in Delta Central, he insisted.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) Presidential Candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo on Monday said the crisis in the country as a result of the Naira redesign policy of the Federal Government should not truncate Saturday’s presidential election.

There are uncertainty on whether the election will go ahead as scheduled especially with the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that it has not received the funds it needed for logistics from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Speaking in an interview with DAILY INDEPENDENT, Adebayo who appealed to Nigerians to be patient no matter the provocation said the election should not be postponed.

He said “I see no reason why the election should not hold. It is up to INEC and the government of the day. We in SDP are prepared”.

“We have noted already that the irresponsible confiscation of currency notes by the CBN and the Buhari administration is unwise, unsound, inhumane and devastating to the socioeconomic well-being of Nigerians”.

” We sympathize with the common people. The exercise won’t achieve any of the advertised goals.

Notwithstanding, the foregoing, election should still hold. Our people should be peaceful and enduringly patient, no matter the provocation”.