News
Bello vows teachers’ priority, 30% budgetary allocation to education in 2022

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has promised that the subsequent budgetary allocation for the Education Sector in the state currently pegged at 20% would not be lesser than 30% in 2022 to facilitate a more robust advancement in the sector.

He also added that his government’s concentration would not only be on infrastructural growth in the sector but a prioritized focus on the welfare of teachers in a bid to give leverage to public schools over its private counterparts in the state.

The Governor made this known at the grand finale of the Pharmacist Abdulkareem Asuku Youth Empowerment Foundation (PAAYEF) Inter-school quiz and debate competition held at the glasshouse of the government house in Lokoja.
He added that government would ensure that it was illegal for any student in the state to be out of school while his administration would strive to ensure that Kogi State emerged first in the next WAEC performance ratings through his administration’s deliberate investment in the sector.
Governor Bello alluded that the state was making remarkable efforts to ensure a safe and secured Kogi state as no child would be abducted by any criminal elements under his watch and that it was only when the state was safe and secured that students could go to school.
He expressed concern that although the current education system in the country was dysfunctional Kogi State incorporated Technical and specialized education in its system like Korea institute in the State Polytechnic and the newly established Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara.
Governor Bello used the medium to challenge other appointees and well-meaning individuals in the state to invest in human capital development particularly endeavours that would add meaningful value and have an impact on younger generations.
In his remarks the Visionary of the PAAYEF and Chief of Staff to the Kogi State Governor, Pharm. Abdulkareem Jamiu noted that PAAYEF was fully sponsored by the governor because he gave the platform and the encouragement for him and many others to engage in humanitarian ventures.
He noted that the performances of various public schools in the Spelling bee competition and the written essay indicated that the public schools in the state have so much tendency to perform excellently and were already showing the huge investment of Gov. Bello led administration.
The Chief of Staff expressed continued commitment to contributing his quota to the lives of youths and young ones in the society.
Winners from the written competition, spelling bees and the debate were rewarded with scholarships, school items and cash donations.
Ester Itopa from Harmony Secondary School emerged winner of the Spelling Bee competition while Tijani Sadiq from demonstration Standard College, Musa Alhassan Abdullahi from Government Secondary School, Okenya, Sanni Abdulazeez from Ebira Community Secondary School, Ogaminana, Aboh David Ojochegbe from St Peter’s College, Idah and Seidu Adavuruku from Ebira Community Secondary School, Ogaminana led the written competition respectively. In the Debate competition, St Augustin Secondary School from Kogi west emerged the winner over Ebira Community Secondary School, Ogaminana from Kogi Central.

News
Police arrest 12 suspects in connection with Kaduna mosque attack

Twelve persons have been arrested by officers of Kaduna State Police Command in connection with attack on a mosque which killed a worshipper during the Tahajjud prayer at Rigasa, in the Igabi Local Government Area of the State.

In a statement by the Command on Friday by the Spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Friday, said hoodlums’ attack on the mosque led to the death of a worshipper.

The statement noted that, “On 21st March 2025, at about 0200 hours, the police received a distress call from a m
concerned citizen, reporting that a large group of armed hoodlums had mobilised from Malalin Gabas, Tudun Wada, Rafin Guza, and Unguwar Baduko areas to attack worshippers performing Tahajjud prayer at Layin Bilya, Makwa Road, Rigasa, Kaduna.
“Upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) led a team of officers, accompanied by the Commander of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), to the scene in an attempt to apprehend the suspects.
“However, before their arrival, the assailants had already stabbed one Usman Mohammad, a 23-year-old victim, with a sharp knife. Despite being rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries hours later and was confirmed dead by the attending doctor.”
In response, the police swiftly apprehended twelve suspects who confessed to having participated in the attack and recovered several weapons from them.
A full-scale investigation has been launched to uncover the full details of the incident and ensure justice is served.
rom engaging in these criminal activities, stating that they will face the full weight of the law if caught.

News
Oyo College of Nursing matriculates 147 students as Governor Makinde urge students to uphold ethics

The Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwifery, on Friday, held its second matriculation ceremony, with the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, as the special guest of honour.

The event was held at the main auditorium of the College at Eleyele, Ibadan.

Speaking at the event, Governor Makinde represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Soliu Abdulwaheed Adelabu said the future of healthcare in Nigeria has taken a significant step forward with the intake of 147 new students of nursing program.
“This matriculation ceremony, marking the college’s second for the national diploma program, is a significant milestone for these aspiring nurses as they began their journey to become healthcare professionals”, he said.
He congratulated the matriculants, encouraged them to embrace every lesson with an open mind, and shun examination malpractices.
Governor Makinde emphasized the importance of resilience in the nursing profession, urging them to uphold the college’s high standards of virtue and ethical conduct.
The Governor further reiterated his administration’s committment to the education system in Oyo state, especially the nursing education.
He commended the Provost and the college’s staff for their dedication to fostering excellence, noting the significant progress made by them to elevate the college to its new heights.
In her speech, the Provost of the College, Dr. Gbonjubola Owolabi also extended her congratulations to the students, urging them adhere to the college’s rules, and strive to be ambassadors for the institution.
She said, “Let me remind you, our matriculation students, that you are now ambassadors of this great institution. Let excellence be your watchword, and may you go on to make remarkable contributions to the Nursing profession and society at large.”
She encouraged the students to prioritize their studies and dedicate themselves to achieving their academic goals.
The Provost said the Oyo state College of Nursing and Midwifery stands as a beacon of academic excellence, committed to producing highly skilled and compassionate nurses who will make a difference in the world.
She also said, “our curriculum is designed to equip you with the necessary theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and ethical grounding essential for success in the nursing profession.”
Dr. Owolabi praised Governor Seyi Makinde for his unwavering supports and commitment to the development of the institution.
She pointed at the avalanche of approvals and infrastructural advancements granted to the college under Makinde’s administration.
The Director, Nursing Services, Dr. Arinade Oyebode enjoined the students to get acquainted with the ethics of Nursing profession.
She also encouraged them to study hard, while they put God first in their academic activities.
A Professor of Nursing from the University of Ibadan, Prof. Chizoma Ndikom encouraged the students to prioritize their studies and dedicate themselves to achieving their academic goals.
The event was filled with excitement and anticipation as a new student, Islamiat Lawal was rewarded by the Commissioner, the Provost, and other guests for her adherence to punctuality.

News
Court blocks INEC from receiving petition to recall Senator Natasha from Senate

Reprieve came the way of Senator of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has been restrained from receiving petition to recall Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the 10th Senate, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

This followed an interim injunction granted on Thursday by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, capital of Kogi State on Thursday.

The Court also restricted INEC staff, agents, privies or assigns from accepting or acting on any petition containing fictitious signatures of purported members of Kogi Central Senatorial District and conducting any referendum upon such pending the determination of the Motion on Notice to the same effect.
Court’s interim order paper made available to journalists in Lokoja on Friday, indicated that the order was granted following an Ex-parte application for interim injunction supported by an Affidavit of Extreme Urgency together with other court processes sworn to by Anebe Jacob Ogirima for himself and four others who are registered voters and constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District of Kogi state.
Counsel to Senator Natasha, Smart Nwachimere, Esq of West-Idahosa, SAN & Co. moved the application in Court.
The case has been adjourned to May 6, 2025, for a report of service and further mention.
Reacting to the development, a pressure group, Action Collective, praised the judiciary for granting the order.
The group’s coordinator, Dr. Onimisi Ibrahim, said in his reaction that, “the order will further expose impunity of some sponsored individuals behind the failed plot to recall Senator Natasha.”

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