Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), representing Kogi East, has extended his support to hundreds of widows across the Senatorial disctrict with the donation of 50 kg bags of rice and cash.
His special Adviser on Media Mikail Ibrahim in a statement that was made available to tye National Update in Abuja on Sunday indicated that the philanthropic effort is part of a weeklong empowerment program aimed at providing relief and support to vulnerable members of the community.

The distribution, which began last week and continued on Sunday, the statement said has witnessed a large turnout of beneficiaries, many of whom expressed deep gratitude for the assistance, particularly amid ongoing economic difficulties.
The statement pointed out that that Senator’s initiative is seeking not only to address food insecurity but also to empower the widows by providing them with the financial resources needed to manage their households effectively.
A representative of the senator, Alhaji Danlami Garba, emphasized the importance of supporting widows, who often face significant economic hardship after the loss of their spouses.
He highlighted that by combining food assistance with cash donations, the senator is empowering the women to make independent choices that best suit their families’ needs, thus fostering both dignity and self-reliance.

Echocho’s empowerment programs also target to uplift the youth and women through education, skills training, and entrepreneurship to create a sustainable and supportive environment for community development.

The senator’s initiative is a reflection of sustained effort to strengthen Kogi East’s economy, provide hope for a better future, and promote resilience among the most vulnerable groups.

***Commends Kogi Govt on construction of Zone 8-Kabba Junction, Assembly roads

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

THE Initiative For Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA), a Kogi-based Civil Society Organization has called on Kogi State Government to urgently take over and complete the Lokoja-Ganaja road to assuage the pains of Kogi people and numerous motorists plying the road.

Mr Hamza Aliyu, Human Rights activist and Executive Director, INGRA, who made the call in a statement on Saturday in Lokoja also commended the State Government for the completion of Zone-8 to Otokiti-Shettima-Zango-Kabba Junction as well as on-going Zone 8-Junction-House of Assembly-Crusher roads.

The Executive Director said that the growth of Lokoja metropolis as a result of population and development has led to upspringing of settlements on the outskirts of the State Capital.

He held that this phenomenon which is not peculiar to the state capital alone was visible in other fast growing cities adding that such settlements around Lokoja include Otokiti, Shettima, Zango and Crusher areas as well as Ganaja.

He noted that many citizens of the State Capital reside in these areas but commute to work in Lokoja due mostly to cost of housing and transportation among others.

Aliyu however pointed out that the removal of Fuel Subsidy by the President Ahmed Tinubu Government on the 29th of May, 2023 had exposed the weak infrastructure and poor public sector service provision.

This, he said, is particularly in the movement of people, goods and services which is critical for development saying, “This is particularly true in these settlements.

“The absence of a road network and a proper mass transit system, further exacerbated the situation with it’s attendant consequences”, he said.

The consequences according to him include: insecurity, high cost of transportation, bad health situation due to the tremendous dust that residents are exposed to during the harmattan season, weak standard of living, with pressure on resources and facilities in the State Capital.

He hinted that several governments had attempted to solve the Zone 8-kabba junction road challenge to no avail until the Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello administration began construction in 2023 with fears on possible completion when the regime ended.

“However new administration of Alhaji Usman Ododo surprised everyone with the speed and dedication it has completed the project with 10 months of the administration.

“This has brought a huge relief to residents of the area and rejuvenated their belief in this administration. We wish to commend His Excellency for this feat as it has far reaching implications economically and health wise on the area.

In this regards we also call on the Governor to also take over and complete the Ganaja road so that Lokoja citizens will finally feel the full effects of the “Ododo Magic.”

“We also urge the Government to as a matter of urgency follow up this remarkable achievements on roads by establishing a functional mass transit system in Lokoja the State Capital.

It is sad that citizens are left at the mercy of Keke and okada operators who decide the mode and cost of transportation in the State.

The Civil Society man however called on citizens to always engage their government actively by paying their taxes and protecting public infrastructure. (Ends)

**Rceives Faculty Excellence Award

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has charged institutions in the country to embrace innovations that integrate emerging technologies and pedagogies to bridge the skills gap and ensure relevance.

Prof. Ogbo Usman made the call while speaking as Guest Speaker at the maiden Faculty Week of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba

He reiterated the need to blend innovations with emerging technologies and pedagogies to stay ahead of the curve in fostering collaboration between academia, industry and government in the bid to bridge skills gaps.

The Rector stated further that developing agile leaders would entail equipping staff members with adaptable skills, ethical awareness, and a global perspective to navigate complex academic landscapes.

The Professor of Political Science noted that the topic of the Faculty Week resonated with the growing demand for functional education, owing to the fact that the 21st century is characterized as a century of technological revolution.

“As we navigate the intricacies of the century therefore, it has become unequivocally clear that management education must transform, not just in terms of technology, but in all ramification, to remain effective.

“This calls for the re-engineering of management education in a way that fosters innovative thinking for adaptability and resilience”, he said.

Prof. Ogbo Usman described the initiative of the Faculty Week as an indication of the faculty’s readiness under the leadership of Prof. Johnson Juwon Orogun as Dean of the Faculty, to be less dependent on resources of the institution.

He said it was a means of “revitalizing the Faculty without necessarily depending on the dwindling meagre resources from the University Management” and commended Prof. Orogun and his team for their “historic efforts.”

The Rector commended the Vice Chancellor of PAAU, Prof. Marietu Tenuche, for the approval and support for the initiative and charged the Faculty Management to uphold the Faculty Week as a tradition for other faculties to emulate.

The Faculty of Management Sciences of the University seized the opportunity to honour Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman with an Excellence Award.

The award which was apparently in recognition of Prof. Ogbo Usman’s long standing affiliation with the Faculty as a former lecturer, was ascribed to his significant role in enhancing infrastructure and dedicated support as a cherished friend.

The Rector specially acknowledged former Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Prof. Stephen Ikani Ocheni for donating an ICT Centre which was commissioned by the Ogohi – Onu Anyigba, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Shaibu Okolo.

Earlier in his remarks, the Dean, Prof. Orogun, appreciated Management of the institution for its support, encouragement and provision of the enabling environment for the Faculty to hold the Faculty Week and honour those who had contributed to the growth and development of the Faculty.

He reassured the Vice Chancellor and the Management of the institution of the Faculty’s readiness to champion creativity and resourcefulness so as tog further place the institution on a higher pedestal.

The Vice Chancellor of PAAU, Prof. Marietu Tenuche, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Daniel Atidoga, underscored the University’s commitment to excellence and provision of platforms to honour the University’s benefactors.

Other award recipients at the Faculty Week of the University include National Assembly members, Sen. Jibrin Isah Echocho of Kogi East Senatorial District, Rt. Hon. James Faleke, member, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Halims, Deputy Majority Leader, House of Representatives.

Others are Hajia Habitat Tijani Olumoko, Accountant General, Kogi State, Hon Wemi Jones, Honourable Commissioner for Education, Kogi State, among several others who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of the Faculty and the institution at large.

Highlights of the ceremony was the official commissioning of the ICT centre, donated by Prof. Stephen Ocheni, a car park and walkway, donated by the Faculty alumnus. (Ends)