Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has expressed deep grieve over the passing of the District Head of Adavi, Alhaji Salihu Ozi-Salami, who passed away on Wednesday at his residence in Ogaminana, Adavi Local Government Area.

In a condolence message, the Governor described the late Alhaji Salihu Ozi-Salami as a distinguished leader who served his people with honor, dedication, and a deep commitment to peace and unity. He acknowledged his invaluable contributions to the growth and stability of Adavi and the larger Ebira community.
Special Adviser on Media to the
Governor, Ismaila Isah quoted in a statement quoted Ododo to have extended his sympathies to the Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, Alhaji Dr. Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje, the Ohi Otenyiete of Ebira Land, Alhaji Isa Ozi-Salami, who is the deceased’s younger brother, as well as the late leader’s family and the entire Ebira people.

Governor Ododo prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the soul of the departed and for strength and solace for those left behind to bear the loss.

Born in 1939, Alhaji Salihu Ozi-Salami was appointed District Head of Adavi in 1994. He lived a life of service and integrity until his passing at 86. His remains have been laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites at his residence in Ogaminana.

***Emphasizes crucial position of information in crime prevention, fighting

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja

THE new Commissioner of Police in Kogi, Miller Gajere Dantawaye has emphasized the need to foster a workable and dependable synergy with working journalists to enhance effective policing of the state.

The CP disclosed this during a courtesy visit on the Chairman and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi State Council at the NUJ Press Centre in Lokoja.

Dantawaye held that while the Command would engage in collaborative work with sister security agencies, efforts would be made to foster a reliable synergy between the Nigeria Police, Kogi State Command and the NUJ as a brother agency.

“While we have sister agencies, there are brother agencies and NUJ is one of them. I have come to serve the people of Kogi State and we need intelligence from all corners.

“We want Kogi to be a place where everybody works in synergy with security agencies. Synergy with DSS, the Army and the Police because we need intelligence from all corners. If you see something that we need to know, please let us know.

“As members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, you are likely to have access to more information and we want you to help us with information that can help in policing the state well”, he implored.

The Vice President, Zone D of the NUJ, Alhaji Adeiza Momoh-Jimoh in his remarks thanked the Police boss for choosing to pay a visit to the NUJ saying that the last Police Commissioner to pay such visit was CP M.M. Katsina.

Momoh-Jimoh expressed the hope that Kogi would benefit immensely from the rich credentials and experience of the CP Miller Gajere Dantawaye.

He pledged continued collaboration and synergy of the journalists with the Police Command under his watch adding that as very responsible professionals the NUJ members would not take the synergy for granted.

Chairman of Kogi Council of NUJ, Alhaji Seidu Ademu Haruna in his welcome address, said the NUJ had watched with keen interest, the activities of CP Dantawaye since he assumed duty in the state.

“And without any iota of doubt, you have started well. We have observed that you came to the State prepared. What you asked of is synergy but we are going to give you more.

“As our friend, when you succeed, we have succeeded and we, by the grace of God, will not allow you to fail”, he said.

CP Dantawaye, a seasoned and experienced operational and professional Police officer who had served in various states of the Federation as well as Aso Villa in different capacities, assumed duty in Kogi in January. (Ends)

***Calls for urgent action, restriction of heavy-duty vehicles

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

THE Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Federal University Lokoja (FUL) Branch, has decried the spate of accidents involving truck drivers on Lokoja-Abuja highway, in Felele, claiming innocent lives.

In a statement signed by Chairman, FUL branch of SSANU, Mr Kadiri Ismaila Ndakata, the Association said that the articulated vehicles (trailers) accidents, killing innocent students, had become a recurring nightmare, leaving families shattered.

The Association said it was compelled to issue the press statement to express members’ deepest condolences to the university community, students, and families of the victims of the tragic accident that occurred at Felele in Lokoja, Monday evening.

SSANU held that the Spate of accidents in the area with the rate of student casualties was unacceptable, and therefore, urged the Federal and State Governments as well as relevant stakeholders to take immediate action to check the menace.

“While we acknowledge that death is inevitable, prevention is indeed better than cure. We urge the State and Federal Governments to restrict the passage of trucks and heavy-duty vehicles on the crusher-Felele Road from 6:00am to 7: pm.

“This measure will significantly reduce the risk of accidents during peak hours when students and other commuters are most vulnerable”, the statement added.

The Association also suggested creation and construction of a dedicated service line; Enactment and enforcement of stricter regulations on truck drivers, including regular medical checkups, rigorous training programmes, and stricter licensing requirements.

It also urged the Federal Government to “Implement a nationwide system for monitoring and tracking truck drivers’ hours of service, speed, and other safety metrics.

“Provide adequate funding for the maintenance and rehabilitation of Federal highways to prevent accidents caused by poor road conditions.

“Collaborate with State Governments to establish dedicated truck lanes and restrict truck movement during peak hours”, SSANU further suggested.

The Association also called on law enforcement agencies including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), to among others, Increase patrols and surveillance on Federal highways to deter reckless driving.

“Enforce existing traffic laws and regulations, including speed limits, traffic signals, and right-of-way rules; Impose stiff penalties, including fines, license suspension, and prosecution, on truck drivers found guilty of traffic violations” the statement added.

Meanwhile, students of the University have barricaded the main gate to the Felele campus of the institution preventing movement of staff and students into and out that the campus.

According to one of the students, the barricade is to further help enforce the 72-hour suspension of activities on the campus. “Honestly, we are here at the gate, we are not violent and we have not moved out of the gate to attack anybody or anything.

“The Deputy Governor of the State, Joel Oyibo Salihu was here yesterday with the State Security Adviser, the Education Commissioner and some others and they did promise to give us some palliatives. We are also waiting for them”, the Source said. (Ends)