Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has empowered 500 women from Kogi State’s 21 local government areas, reaffirming the crucial role of women in economic development.

Speaking at the empowerment distribution event at Muhammadu Buhari Square, Lokoja, Mrs. Tinubu—represented by Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo, wife of the Kogi State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, stressed the importance of investing in women for national progress.

She stated that the initiative, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is designed to promote inclusivity, economic empowerment, and sustainable development, particularly for women. She also revealed that 18,500 women across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones would benefit from the program, starting with the North Central region.

“Empowering women is fundamental to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly goals 5 and 8, which focus on gender equality and economic growth,” she emphasized.

The program, executed in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs and the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), provided beneficiaries with essential business tools, including deep-chest freezers, maxi gas cookers with ovens, generators, and industrial grinding machines, to boost entrepreneurship and economic independence.

Mrs. Tinubu urged the beneficiaries to maximize the opportunity, ensuring self-reliance and contributing to the nation’s economic development.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has expressed deep grieve over the passing of the District Head of Adavi, Alhaji Salihu Ozi-Salami, who passed away on Wednesday at his residence in Ogaminana, Adavi Local Government Area.

In a condolence message, the Governor described the late Alhaji Salihu Ozi-Salami as a distinguished leader who served his people with honor, dedication, and a deep commitment to peace and unity. He acknowledged his invaluable contributions to the growth and stability of Adavi and the larger Ebira community.
Special Adviser on Media to the
Governor, Ismaila Isah quoted in a statement quoted Ododo to have extended his sympathies to the Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, Alhaji Dr. Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje, the Ohi Otenyiete of Ebira Land, Alhaji Isa Ozi-Salami, who is the deceased’s younger brother, as well as the late leader’s family and the entire Ebira people.

Governor Ododo prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the soul of the departed and for strength and solace for those left behind to bear the loss.

Born in 1939, Alhaji Salihu Ozi-Salami was appointed District Head of Adavi in 1994. He lived a life of service and integrity until his passing at 86. His remains have been laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites at his residence in Ogaminana.

***Emphasizes crucial position of information in crime prevention, fighting

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja

THE new Commissioner of Police in Kogi, Miller Gajere Dantawaye has emphasized the need to foster a workable and dependable synergy with working journalists to enhance effective policing of the state.

The CP disclosed this during a courtesy visit on the Chairman and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi State Council at the NUJ Press Centre in Lokoja.

Dantawaye held that while the Command would engage in collaborative work with sister security agencies, efforts would be made to foster a reliable synergy between the Nigeria Police, Kogi State Command and the NUJ as a brother agency.

“While we have sister agencies, there are brother agencies and NUJ is one of them. I have come to serve the people of Kogi State and we need intelligence from all corners.

“We want Kogi to be a place where everybody works in synergy with security agencies. Synergy with DSS, the Army and the Police because we need intelligence from all corners. If you see something that we need to know, please let us know.

“As members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, you are likely to have access to more information and we want you to help us with information that can help in policing the state well”, he implored.

The Vice President, Zone D of the NUJ, Alhaji Adeiza Momoh-Jimoh in his remarks thanked the Police boss for choosing to pay a visit to the NUJ saying that the last Police Commissioner to pay such visit was CP M.M. Katsina.

Momoh-Jimoh expressed the hope that Kogi would benefit immensely from the rich credentials and experience of the CP Miller Gajere Dantawaye.

He pledged continued collaboration and synergy of the journalists with the Police Command under his watch adding that as very responsible professionals the NUJ members would not take the synergy for granted.

Chairman of Kogi Council of NUJ, Alhaji Seidu Ademu Haruna in his welcome address, said the NUJ had watched with keen interest, the activities of CP Dantawaye since he assumed duty in the state.

“And without any iota of doubt, you have started well. We have observed that you came to the State prepared. What you asked of is synergy but we are going to give you more.

“As our friend, when you succeed, we have succeeded and we, by the grace of God, will not allow you to fail”, he said.

CP Dantawaye, a seasoned and experienced operational and professional Police officer who had served in various states of the Federation as well as Aso Villa in different capacities, assumed duty in Kogi in January. (Ends)