***As new provost of COE Ankpa visits

The Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, has called on the National Examinations Council (NECO) to develop a standardized template to prevent students from registering with abbreviated names, which often leads to complications in official records.
Prof. Usman made the appeal on Thursday when he received Kogi State NECO Coordinator, Mr. Thaddeus Ajabu, who was on a courtesy visit as part of a sensitization campaign against name abbreviations in examination registrations.
The Rector emphasized that Kogi Polytechnic already enforces a strict no-abbreviation policy, except in cases where an affidavit clarifies the full name. He urged NECO to adopt similar measures, ensuring uniformity across educational institutions and preventing future identity-related issues.
“We have seen cases where students face challenges during NYSC mobilization and job applications because of discrepancies in their names. A well-structured system from NECO will go a long way in solving this problem,” he stated.

Speaking earlier, Mr. Thaddeus Ajabu of NECO reaffirmed that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) now rejects candidates with abbreviated names, making it urgent for students and schools to adhere to proper registration guidelines.
“We are engaging key stakeholders to ensure that students use their full names during registration. This will save them from unnecessary difficulties in the future,” Ajabu added.
Ajabu also used the opportunity to call for financial support for underprivileged students, urging institutions and well-meaning individuals to sponsor students who cannot afford NECO registration fees.
In a related development, the newly appointed Provost of Kogi State College of Education (COE), Ankpa, Dr. Paul Femi Fashagba, also visited Prof. Usman, accompanied by the Commissioners for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Dr. Helen Adeniyi, and Special Duties, Hon. Sunday Faleke.
The visit aimed to introduce Dr. Fashagba to the Rector and seek his mentorship in academic administration.
Dr. Adeniyi noted that Prof. Usman, being an indigene of Ankpa, holds a key leadership role in the academic sector and can offer valuable guidance to the new Provost.
Prof. Usman congratulated Dr. Fashagba on his appointment and urged him to build on the achievements of his predecessor, Dr. M.K. Ibrahim, while improving on existing policies to advance the College.
“Leadership is about continuity and progress. The best way to succeed is to take what works, improve it, and introduce innovations that benefit students and staff,” he advised.
The visit further strengthened inter-institutional collaboration in Kogi State, fostering knowledge-sharing and mutual growth in the education sector.

In a decisive move to curb illegal revenue collection, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has banned the unlawful daily tolls imposed by transport unions across Kogi State’s 21 Local Government Areas.

The governor issued the directive on Wednesday in Lokoja during a strategic meeting with transport union officials, security agencies, and the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS).
Represented by Commissioner of Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, Governor Ododo made it clear that his administration will not tolerate personal or group interests that undermine public welfare.
At the heart of the meeting was the 2017 Kogi State Revenue Harmonization Law, which introduced the Infrastructure Maintenance Levy (IML)—a modest daily contribution by commercial vehicle operators aimed at improving state infrastructure.
However, the governor lamented that certain transport union leaders have hijacked the system, diverting funds for personal gain while imposing unauthorized levies on their members.
“Instead of remitting these funds as stipulated, some union officials have resorted to illegal collections, depriving both their members and the government of much-needed revenue,” Ododo stated.
To restore transparency and accountability, the governor ordered security agencies to enforce compliance immediately, warning that disruptions to public order will not be tolerated. He also reaffirmed that:
Union dues must be collected fairly—monthly, bi-annually, or annually—not as a daily burden on transport operators.

New Infrastructure Maintenance Levy rates have been established through stakeholder consultations to ease the financial strain on motorists while ensuring unions’ interests are considered.

Top government officials including State Security Adviser Cdr Jerry Omodara, Commissioner of Transportation Victor Atuluku, and KGIRS Executive Chairman Alhaji Salihu Sule Enehe have been tasked with implementing the new policy seamlessly.
Governor Ododo’s directive is seen as a bold step toward eliminating extortion in the transport sector while securing sustainable revenue for infrastructural development.
The new policy aims to strike a balance between the interests of the state, transport unions, and the general public, ensuring that Kogi’s roads and transport infrastructure receive the necessary funding without overburdening motorists.

With strict enforcement underway, the era of illegal daily toll collection is officially over in Kogi State.

The Kogi State Government has unveiled a ₦4 billion malaria prevention initiative, signaling a major push to curb the disease and improve healthcare delivery across the state.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo announced the ambitious program on Tuesday during the official launch at the Government House, Lokoja.
Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah in a statement issued on Wednesday indicated that the initiative, supported by the Islamic Development Bank, will provide free anti-malaria drugs, rapid diagnostic test kits, and over 3 million insecticide-treated nets to healthcare facilities statewide.
The intervention according to the statement is part of the governor’s broader strategy to strengthen public health infrastructure and reduce Kogi State’s malaria prevalence rate, which currently stands at 16%; well above the national target of less than 10%.
Governor Ododo cited data from the 2024 World Malaria Report, which revealed that Africa accounted for 94% of global malaria cases in 2023, with Nigeria contributing 30% of the 5,970 recorded deaths.
These figures, he stressed, highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to prevent further loss of life.

“Malaria affects us all, and it remains one of the leading causes of death in Nigeria,” the governor stated. “Our goal is to ensure that no family in Kogi State is left without access to the tools and medication needed to prevent and treat malaria.”
To ensure the success of the initiative, Governor Ododo issued a stern warning against diversion and hoarding of the medical supplies, emphasizing that they are not for sale.
He pledged strict enforcement measures to hold any violators accountable.
The intervention included, 10,000+ cartons of anti-malaria drugs and test kits, Over 1 million doses for children and nearly 2 million doses for adults and Distribution to 536 public health facilities, including primary healthcare centers, general hospitals, and teaching hospitals

The governor praised healthcare workers as “soldiers in the fight against diseases” and called on traditional rulers, NGOs, religious leaders, and local communities to actively participate in distributing and monitoring the use of the malaria prevention kits.
Governor Ododo reiterated his administration’s commitment to transforming Kogi State’s health sector, aligning with the federal government’s healthcare agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He expressed confidence that reducing malaria prevalence would significantly improve the quality of life and productivity of residents.

Speaking at the launch, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams, described the initiative as one of the most comprehensive malaria interventions in Kogi’s history. He assured that the campaign is fully community-focused, aiming to ensure widespread access to malaria test kits, drugs, and preventive measures at no cost to residents.

With this bold initiative, Kogi State is setting a precedent for proactive healthcare investment, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of its people.