News From Kogi
Governing Council FUL says its committed to building global institution, successful entrepreneurs
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
GOVERNING Council of Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has said that it is committed to building a global institution guided only by excellence, merit and competitiveness aimed at producing successful entrepreneurs rather than job seekers.
Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba (SAN) made the disclosure at the 8th Convocation Ceremony of the Federal University Lokoja, Felele Campus on Saturday.
“The Council under my leadership is focused on consolidating the Federal University Lokoja edge of providing functional education with a view to ensuring that our graduates become successful entrepreneurs in diverse sectors of the nation’s economy.
“Therefore, tribalism, religion, gender and other primordial considerations will have no influence within our university community, as we are fully committed to building a global institution that is guided only by excellence, merit and competitiveness”, he said.
Ndoma-Egba (SAN) who was attending the Convocation Ceremony for the first time since his appointment urged the graduands to uphold integrity in all their endeavours.
“I urge you to uphold integrity in all your endeavours. Integrity is the cornerstone of trust, and in whatever field you find yourself, your reputation will be built not only on your qualifications and skills, but on your honesty and ethical conduct.
“Never compromise your values for short-term gains. In a world where shortcuts and unethical behaviours often seem tempting, I urge you to resist them. Always remember that true success is built on zeal and doing what is right”, the Pro-Chancellor advised.
In his address, Chancellor of the University, HRH Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa, CON, the Emir of Fika commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the Federal Government’s unwavering support for the Education and development of the nation’s universities.
The Traditional Ruler held that the 8th convocation ceremony was not merely an academic ceremony but a celebration of hard work, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge adding, “It marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another for our graduands.”
The Chairman, Yobe State Council of Chiefs and Emirs charged the graduands to be resilient saying that the world out there is full of opportunities, but it also presents challenges that require resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to continually learn and evolve.
In his speech, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi hinted that 2,196 students were graduating, 41 of them with First Class Honours Degree at the 2024 Convocation Ceremony, the 8th in the life of the institution and third with Prof. Akinwumi as Vice-Chancellor.
As part of his achievements, the Vice-Chancellor revealed that out of the 42 programmes presented to the National Universities Commission (NUC) for accreditation, 34 received full accreditation while the remaining eight were granted interim accreditation.
“The NUC has approved new academic programmes for our university, including LL.B. Law, Pharm. D. (Doctor of Pharmacy), B.Agric, B.MLS (Medical Laboratory Science), and B.Ed. Educational Management and Planning commencing from the 2024/2025 academic session”, he said.
The Professor of History added that the NUC has also approved the full-time delivery of eight academic programmes to be run in affiliation with Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State.
The programmes, he said, include B.Sc. Microbiology, Biochemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Public Admin., Banking and Finance, Mass Communication, Computer Science and Statistics.
Highlight of the Convocation ceremony was the presentation of certificates to the graduands and conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on five personalities who distinguished themselves in various spheres of human endeavour. (Ends)
News From Kogi
Group applauds Senator Echocho’s relief efforts in Kogi East
The Kogi Democratic Group (KDG) has expressed appreciation for the recent initiatives by Senator Jibril Isah Echocho (APC/Kogi East) in addressing the hardships facing residents of the senatorial district.
In a statement on Wednesday, KDG Protem Secretary Inuwa Lawal highlighted Senator Echocho’s distribution of rice and essential food supplies, which brought immediate relief to the local communities.
The group also praised Senator Echocho’s commitment to long-term infrastructure improvements.
Among his achievements, the installation of boreholes has provided stable access to clean water, and the distribution of fertilizer has offered crucial support to local farmers, helping to strengthen agriculture in the region.
According to Lawal, Kogi East has not witnessed such progress with the past senators, citing Echocho’s active representation in the 9th and 10th Senate as a “leadership with vision and mission.”
He urged the senator to remain focused, despite distraction from his traducers as he acknowledged Echocho’s unique contributions at Senate proceedings, committee work, oversight activities and through motions and bills
The group encouraged Senator Echocho to continue his impactful work, calling on him to sustain the progress that has benefited Kogi East and enriched the lives of its residents.
News From Kogi
Echocho’s Constituency Empowerment outreach Continues with donation of Rice, cash to widows
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.
News From Kogi
INGRA urges Kogi govt to complete Lokoja-Ganaja road, mass transit scheme
***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)
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