JUST IN: Kogi Confirmed as Oil Producing State, Receives First 13% Derivation

By Nafisat Bello

The government and people of Kogi state have been thrown into massive jubilation as the Federal Government credited the state account with it’s first 13 percent derivation, confirming it’s status as an oil producing state.

Announcing the breakthrough in a statement on Thursday, Governor Yahaya Bello’s spokesman, Muhammed Onogwu, said it was the crowning glory of years of the governor’s tenacity and sagacity in fighting a battle he inherited from his predecessor.

With this confirmation, Kogi has now become the first among 19 northern states to be recognised as an oil producing state.

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The governor’s spokesman commended his predecessor, Captain Idris Wada (rtd), for fighting the cause with passion and patriotism before handing over to Governor Bello in 2016.

The statement read in part:

“Today, 20th October 2022, Kogi State is officially recognized as an OIL-PRODUCING STATE in Nigeria and receives her first 13% derivation from the Federal Account.

“The fight for the state to attain this status had been an age-long battle for the people of Kogi State. Even while one of the former governors of the state compromised for the state to only own a certain percentage in the oil processing plant in our neighbouring state thereby abandoning the fight for the right of the state’s ownership of the oil, the former governor, Captain Idris Wada stood his ground on behalf of the government that the available record shows that Kogi owns the oil wells and that his administration will not compromise what belongs to the state.

“The incumbent governor, His Excellency Yahaya Bello inherited the battle and as you all know, he does not lose a battle. Bello took up this battle with sheer determination and commitment and got the state recognised as the first Northern Nigerian State as oil producing state today.”