Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has urged the people of the state to embrace unity for its progress and development.
He made this appeal during a condolence visit to Alhaji Yakubu Yusuf Okala, the State Auditor General, over the passing of his mother, Hajiya Amina Yusuf Okala, in Ajiolo, Dekina Local Government Area.
Governor Ododo, accompanied by top government officials to the 8th Day Fidau prayer, described the gathering as more than just a moment of mourning but also an opportunity to reconnect with associates from Dekina and beyond.
Special adviser to the Governor on media in a statement quoted him to have emphasized that the late Hajiya Amina had already been immortalized through the impact of her children on society.
Speaking at the event, the governor encouraged parents to prioritize the education and proper upbringing of their children, stressing that a well-raised child leaves an enduring legacy of service and impact.
He praised the late matriarch for her commitment to family, community, and the unity of Kogi State.
Governor Ododo urged the Okala family to take solace in the fact that their mother lived a life of peace and left behind a strong legacy. He prayed for the repose of her soul and strength for the bereaved family.
In response, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abu Shaibu Okolo, the Ogohi Onu Anyigba, speaking on behalf of the Okala family, expressed gratitude to the governor for his support and kind words.
He also commended Governor Ododo’s administration for its positive impact on Kogi State within its first year in office.
The visit further reinforced Governor Ododo’s commitment to fostering unity and development across the state.

***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.