***Says sector will get enhanced allocation above 30% in 2025 budget

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi state has declared his government’s determination to accord basic education priority attention with a pledge to allocate to the sector over 30 per cent of its 2025 budget.

Ododo who disclosed this at the 6th Combined Convocation ceremony of Salem University, Lokoja on Friday said there is need to revamp basic education in the state with a solid foundation for sustained development.

The governor, represented by Mr Wemi Jones, the state Commissioner for Education said his government was that of continuity and consolidation with a resolve to build on the achievements of former Governor Yahaya Bello in the Education sector.

He said that the former governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello administration allocated 30 per cent of the state budget to education but he would rather improve and increase it.

He said that upon realisation that when the foundation is weak, the structure cannot stand the test of time adding that next two years of his administration would be devoted to laying a solid foundation for quality education in the state.

He also declared that the state has resolved to pay for registration fees for all external examinations like WAEC, NECO and NABTEB for all indigenes of the state in final year post-primary schools students.

To give effect to the resolve, the governor said the state has enacted a law called Kogi State Examinations Registration Law and would not want to breach the law.

This, according to him, will enhance students’ enrollment and minimize out-of-school children figure adding that though the state currently has the least figure, “We want to make it as low as possible.

“Kogi currently has three universities, two Colleges of Education, a Polytechnic, a College of Health Science Technology and School of Nursing because we have realized that our major occupation in Kogi State is Education”, he said.

Ododo who is also an alumnus of Salem University promised to be of assistance to the institution even in its private capacity adding that his government is out to make all tertiary education institutions in the state top notch.

He promised to provide security for all educational institutions in the state as he urged the universities, communities and all citizens to assist the state and security organisations and agencies in the state with information.

“You are going to function in secured environments but give security agencies the needed information. The security agents are not spirits and cannot function without adequate information”, he said.

The governor expressed the view that criminals all live within communities and they are known by members of the communities and therefore charged traditional rulers and their subjects to always report every suspicious moves to the appropriate security agencies.

Vice Chancellor of the University has earlier solicited assistance of the state government to the University saying that 90 per cent of staff of the institution as well the students were Kogi State indigenes.

He said that the institution was serving the state and its people and should be given due assistance moreso, that many of l the government officials were either past or current students of the University.

Speaking earlier, Prof. Alewo Johnson Akubo, Vice Chancellor of the University said a total of 497 graduands were being awarded various degrees at the 6th Combined Convocation ceremony with 471 First Degree.

Of the number, he said, 42 bagged First Class Division; 247 Second Class Upper division 176 Second Class Lower Division and six in the 3″ Class Division.

Akubo added that twenty six (26) others graduated from the Post Graduate School with 20 M.Sc., five MBA and one PGD. (Ends)

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja

In its avowed commitment to check crime and criminal activities, Kogi State Security Trust Fund has presented 10 refurbished vehicles to the Nigerian Army, Police and Civil Defense to help fight crime.

Chairman of the Fund, Hon. Abdulraheem Ozovehe Ohiare who presented the refurbished vehicles at the State Secretariat in Lokoja on Thursday, said the measure was aimed at boosting logistics for crime detection and prevention in the State.

Hon. Ohiare said the vision of the Governor is to see a crime-free state where the citizens can sleep with their “two eyes closed.”

He explained that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had mandated the Fund to ensure that the Army and other security agencies had their operational vehicles refurbished and primed within the shortest period of time, for optimal efficiency.

“Let me also inform you that His Excellency has given a matching order that we purchase motorcycles for the Army without delay, and this is to combat crimes in our dear state” he stated.

The Chairman said the Trust Fund has the responsibility to meaningfully contribute to crime reduction across the length and breath of the state adding that the governor had as well given approval for the Fund to procure motorcycles for the Army.

Ohiare urged the benefitting agencies to make good use of the vehicles in order to serve the intended purpose.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the Chairman of Kogi House of Assembly committee on Security, Major Enefola (APC-Idah), commended the Trust Fund for the gesture.

He described the Chairman of the Security Trust Fund as an “honest man” who is adding value to the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and commended the existing security architecture in the state.

In his remarks, Kogi State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Alhaji Ademu Seidu noted that only last month, the Agency refurbished and presented vehicles to security agencies with the NUJ as a beneficiary.

Alhaji Ademu Seidu praised the Governor for appointing credible people into positions of responsibility and implored him to improve government funding of the Trust Fund to enable it do more.

Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, Head of operations, Nigerian Army, twelve Brigade, Lokoja, Major Garba Muhammed noted that the chairman has demonstrated capacity in leadership.

He expressed gratitude to the Agency and the Government of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for being a dependable ally, stressing that with the good will of the organization, there will be reduction in crime rate. (Ends)

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported an armed attack on the construction site of its 330/132/33kV transmission substation in Obajana, Kogi State.
According to TCN’s Public Affairs General Manager, Ndidi Mbah, the incident occurred on the night of November 12, 2024, at approximately 11:55 PM.

The attackers reportedly opened fire at the site, forcing security personnel to flee.
In the process, a 150MVA 330/132/33kV power transformer, which had already been positioned on its foundation, was damaged, with the radiator sustaining significant damage.

In a statement, Mbah noted that TCN is working with the project contractor to assess the extent of the damage.
The Obajana Transmission Substation is designed to have a 1X150MVA 330/132/33kV capacity and aimed to enhance power supply across Kogi State and surrounding regions once completed.

“This incident is part of a broader pattern of vandalism targeting transmission infrastructure across the country,” Mbah said, highlighting the challenges faced in safeguarding national power assets.
TCN has urged the public to support efforts to prevent future attacks and ensure the security of critical infrastructure across Nigeria.