***Gov Ododo applauds intervention

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has trained 705 Kogi Youths in 10 vocational skills and registered their business outfits with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Managing Director of the Commission, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa disclosed this at the Flag-off for the distribution of start-up kits to graduates of N-HYPPADEC Youth Transformation Programme (YTP) in Kogi State.

The MD described the Commission’s intervention culminating in the distribution of start up Katsina as a milestone in N-HYPPADEC’s commitment to youth empowerment
and economic development in the power producing areas of
Nigeria.

Yelwa with traditional titles of Katukan Yauri, Abeneche Atta Igala and Garkuwa of Igu-Kingdom of described the N-HYPPADEC”s distribution of starter packs to the Youth as representing dreams, ambitions and the potential for economic independence

Describing it as a concrete step toward securing the future of youth especially, in these challenging times, he said, “In Kogi State, we have successfully trained 705 youths across 10 vital vocational areas.

The distribution includes 187 graduates in Computer Appreciation and another 187 in Fashion Design and Tailoring.

We have equipped 94 youth with skills in Poultry Farming and 85 in Catering and Culinary Services. The programme has also produced 61 trained Fish Farmers and 44 specialists in Bag and Shoe Making.

“Additionally, 18 graduates have mastered Hair Dressing, while 12 are now experts in Beads Making. We have 11 graduates in Cosmetology and six in Printing and Graphical Design”, he said.

Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), described the intervention as a welcome development and a step in the right direction towards emancipation of youths from the shackles of poverty

Sen. Akume, represented by a Director from the Office of the SGF, Mr Simeon Tyungu, said the intervention programme in in the six N-HYPPADEC states of Niger, Kebbi, Plateau, Benue, Kwara and Kogi.

He said that the programme was setting the tone towards empowering our teeming youths towards self-reliance and financial independence and urged the beneficiaries take maximum advantage of the scheme,

In his speech, the state Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Chief Servant of commended N-HYPPADEC for the intervention and particularly for the stqrzer packs and registration of their businesses with the CAC.

He said that the intervention would not doubt, reduce unemployment, check crime rate among the youths and improve the economic growth of the state.

“As a government, we do not take this gesture for granted and we will implore the beneficiaries to make adequate use of these kits and equipment for personal growth and development.

“Let me assure you that the government of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is committed to the enhancement of the living standard of the people of the state, particularly, the teaming youths.

“…And our women, through the favourable policies and programmes, we shall work round the clock to ensure that we serve the people rightly without any iota of fear or favour.”

A member of the N-HYPPADEC board representing Kogi State, Alhaji Isa Ozi-Salami charged the beneficiaries to avail themselves of the opportunity offered by the Commission to escape the strangleholds of poverty.

There were goodwill messages from the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Kogi chapter as well as the traditional rulers of the flood affected Local Governments represented by the Atta Igala HRM Matthew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche-Akpa. (Ends)

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja

SALEM University, Lokoja is to graduate 499 students with 41 of them bagging First Class Honours Degree across its seven colleges at the 6th Combined Convocation ceremony of the University taking place this week.

Prof. Alewo Johnson Akubo, Vice Chancellor of the University who disclosed this at the Convocation Press Briefing on Monday in Lokoja described the Convocation Ceremony as epoch-making.

He said that a renowned academic, Sam Egwu, a Professor of Political Economy, as a convocation lecturer, was slated to deliver the convocation lecture at the Chapel of Peace.

“We have a total of 499 graduating students, across seven colleges including: College of Management and Social Sciences, College of Natural and Applied Science, College of Humanity, College of Education, College of Information and Communication Technology, College of Law and the Post Graduate school.

“We have a total of 41 First Class across the the seven programmes in the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 sets.

“We also have a new college that is about to hit the ground running now, and that is the College of Basic Medicine, Medical Science. We just got the approval from the National University’s Commission about two months ago”, he said.

The Vice Chancellor hinted that that University had successfully passed the accreditation process for all its programmes, achieving full accreditation status.

Prof. Akubo said that the institution recorded a notable achievement when its College of Law received full accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC), a significant accomplishment for a private university.

He stressed that the university had seen three sets of law graduates sent to the Nigerian Law School, with the first two batches already graduated and the third set in preparation.

He further said that the first set of law graduates has been officially called to Nigerian Bar, marking a milestone in producing qualified lawyers.

The Vice Chancellor noted that the University expanded its Postgraduate Programmes initially offering limited postgraduate programs, primarily an M.sc, MBA and Business Administration.

According to Prof. Akubo following a successful Resource Verification, Salem University has expanded its postgraduate offerings from Postgraduate Diplomas (PGD) to Doctorate levels (PhD) across the seven programs.

He revealed that there were plans in the pipeline to submit additional programmes for verification in the bid to expand and enhance their postgraduate education.

Akubo pointed out that students’ enrollment remained that major challenge facing the institution in spite of its successes and achievements saying, “students’ enrollment remains a persistent challenge for the university.”

This issue, according to him, underscores the need for ongoing efforts to attract and retain students in order to sustain and build upon the university’s achievements. (Ends)

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

The Jigawa State Government has partnered with Sasakawa African Association (SAA) to enhance agricultural production and value chain development for rural communities in the state.
A $100,000 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two parties, marking a significant step towards improving food security and empowering rural women and youth.
The Deputy Country Director of SAA, Dr. Abdulhamid Gambo, made the disclosure during a press interaction following a meeting with Jigawa’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Muttaqa Namadi.
Dr. Gambo highlighted that the Sasakawa African Association has been operational in the state for over 30 years, supporting rural agricultural development through interventions in food production, value chains, and economic empowerment.

According to him, Since its establishment in Jigawa in 1992, SAA has been working with thousands of community-based agricultural groups, providing training, agricultural inputs, and technical support.
“The association currently works with over 500 men and women’s groups across 27 local government areas of the state.
“This year, we are excited to sign this $100,000 MoU with the Jigawa state government, which will run for one year. We also conduct an annual media field visit to showcase our activities and speak directly with the beneficiaries,” Dr. Gambo explained.

He also noted that the field visits allow the media to observe the impact of SAA’s interventions in local communities.
“This year, Jigawa and Gombe states were selected for the media field day, where Sasakawa has provided support in communities like Babuwawa, Sintilmawa, and Facewa, which have benefitted from various agricultural value chain interventions, including extension services and market linkages.

“SAA’s efforts focus on improving productivity, adding value to agricultural products, and enhancing market access for rural farmers.
“The association works closely with research institutes, universities, and local farmers to develop and disseminate agricultural technologies that boost production and incomes.

The communities visited during the field day expressed their gratitude for the intervention, noting how Sasakawa’s support had positively impacted their lives. Leaders of these communities reported increased agricultural production and improved income, as well as the establishment of new business ventures and farming associations within and outside the villages.

The signing of the MoU marked another milestone in the ongoing partnership between Jigawa State and Sasakawa African Association to transform rural agriculture and improve livelihoods across the state.