By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja

The Auditor-General for Local Governments in Kogi State, Dr. Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, has sounded the alarm over the critical staff shortage threatening the functionality of his office.
Adabenege disclosed this during the ongoing 2025 Kogi Ministerial Budget Defence session at the State House of Assembly in Lokoja on Wednesday.

He revealed that the office currently operates with only 18 permanent and pensionable staff, a figure he described as grossly inadequate to handle the responsibilities of the office.

“The office is on the brink of extinction if urgent action is not taken to address the acute shortage of personnel,” Adabenege stated, emphasizing the pressing need for the recruitment of new staff. He explained that many staff members had retired, while others were on the verge of retirement.

To mitigate the staffing crisis, the former Auditor-General, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, who is now the Executive Governor of Kogi State, previously engaged 45 fresh graduates as temporary staff. Their salaries were paid from the one percent capital receipt allocation.

Adabenege urged the House of Assembly to approve the employment of these temporary staff as permanent employees of the state government.

“We appeal to this Honourable House to consider and approve the employment of these temporary staff to ensure the continuity and efficiency of our operations,” he said.

The Auditor-General further called on the Assembly to intervene in increasing the office’s monthly overhead allocation, stating that the current funding is insufficient to meet the financial demands of the office.

Additionally, Adabenege requested the House’s support in enforcing the independent status of the Auditor-General for Local Governments as stipulated in Section 13 of the 2021 Local Government Audit Law.

“The independence of this office, as provided for in the law, is critical to its effectiveness and credibility,” he added.

The Auditor-General’s plea underscores the urgent need for structural and financial reforms to strengthen the operations of the office and ensure its sustainability.

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja

In a successful operation, the Kogi State Police, in collaboration with a private security firm hired by the state government, have arrested four alleged kidnappers and rescued 10 victims in the Ajaokuta region of the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, confirmed the arrests in a statement released to journalists in Lokoja. He explained that the kidnappers had been causing significant distress in the area, involved in various criminal activities including kidnapping, robbery, and sexual assault.

Due to the rising criminal activities, the Kogi State Government enlisted the services of Base SAN Security Nigeria Ltd, a private security outfit, to support the police in tackling the crime wave. The collaborative effort led to the capture of the kidnappers and the safe return of the 10 victims who had been abducted from the Kogi East region.

Fanwo revealed that the suspects were cooperating with investigators, and the victims would soon be reunited with their families. He also emphasized that the joint effort with the private security firm was a success, underscoring the Ododo administration’s commitment to security.
“Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is fully committed to ensuring that Kogi remains a secure state for all. The state government is using every available resource to combat crime and safeguard lives and property,” Fanwo stated.
The Commissioner praised both the Kogi State Police Command and Base SAN Security Nigeria Ltd for their swift and effective action in dismantling the kidnap syndicate. He reiterated the government’s continued support for security agencies in their mission to ensure the safety of the public.

The arrested kidnappers are currently in police custody where further investigations are ongoing, with plans for their prosecution.

The First Lady of Kogi State, Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo, has called on young people to be vigilant against the negative influences of social media and focus on making positive choices that will secure a prosperous future.

Hajia Ododo made the appeal in Okene during the 16 Days of Activism and Awareness Campaign on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, which took place at the Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland on Monday.

The First Lady expressed concern over the growing moral challenges faced by youth, particularly young women, on social media. She advised them to avoid engaging in activities that negatively reflect on womanhood, urging them instead to make choices that align with their values and dignity.

Addressing the alarming involvement of young people in vices such as internet fraud, Mrs. Ododo emphasized the importance of acquiring entrepreneurial skills, especially in fields like Information and Communication Technology (ICT), to build a sustainable and independent future. She urged youth to steer away from destructive behaviors and instead focus on self-reliance.

Hajia Sefinat also appealed to parents to take an active role in shaping their children’s futures, urging them to take advantage of the free education provided by the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo. She encouraged parents to ensure their children are enrolled in school to help them realize their full potential.

The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ahmed Muhammed Tijani Anaje, also spoke at the event, stressing the importance of peace, love, respect, and discipline within the family. He urged fathers to fulfill their responsibilities as family heads and called on traditional rulers in Ebiraland to avoid rewarding negative practices, instead promoting good examples in their communities.

Maryam Abedo, Director General of the Kogi State Pension Commission, also offered a goodwill message, urging women to speak out against any form of molestation before and after marriage. She stressed the importance of reporting such incidents to the appropriate authorities and advised parents to develop a closer relationship with their children so they can confide in them about any challenges they face.

Mrs. Abedo further urged parents to instill proper values in their sons, teaching them how to treat their spouses with respect. She encouraged couples to foster mutual respect, creating a stronger, healthier society that can raise godly children.

Media Office of the Kogi State First Lady
December 10, 2024