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PHOTOS: Ododo Sworn In As Kogi Governor

Published

2 years ago

January 27, 2024

The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Josiah Majebi, on Saturday, swore in Ahmed Usman Ododo as the 5th Executive Governor of Kogi State.

Ododo, who was sworn in at the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre, took the oath of office and allegiance at 2:25 p.m. after his deputy, Elder Joel Salifu Oyibo, who did earlier at 2:18 p.m.

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who represented President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, witnessed the ceremony.

Ododo, immediately after the allegiance oath, took the first salute and review of parade.

Speaking afterward, the Kogi new governor eulogised his immediate predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for giving him the opportunity to govern the state.

The governor promised that the state under his administration would be made a hub for economic growth in line with President Tinubu’s renewed economic policies.

The governor urged the people of the state to stem the tide of greed and be prepared to make hard choices with unity and cooperation, assuring that it is a new dawn for the people.

Ododo assured the people of the state that he would work to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people and stressed that the era of bitter politics is over.

”There would no longer be politics of bitterness in the state, as taught by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu. I urge all the people of the state to join hands with me in building a vibrant Kogi State.

”I will build on the solid foundation of unity existing in the state. I will strive not to undermine the trust placed in him to lead the people of the state.

”I promise to govern with the fear of God, fairness, equity, and justice,” assured that he will not fail the people, and promised to be transparent and accountable.

Ododo also urged the people to choose unity and togetherness and affirmed his will to pursue their full measure of happiness without tribal or ethnicity that binds them together.

“We will work to sustain the ideals of the founding fathers, delivering on the dreams of a prosperous Kogi State that will lead to the progress of Kogi State as envisioned by the founding fathers.”

To ensure a sense of belonging, Ododo assured that the charter of power rotation, which would ensure inclusivity, would be worked upon.

”I shall hit the ground running with programmes that would ensure the well-being of our people, with accountability and transparency as our driving force.”

”I will open the state to become the investor hub under a robust public-private partnership. My administration will strive to make the state attractive and an investment destination.

”Under my administration, more homes will be built. More businesses will spring up. Our farmland will be flourishing. Our school will be filled. Teachers will smile. Youth will be enterprising. Women would be gainfully engaged.”

“Let it be said that once upon a time, when our will was tested, we strived for unity for the future generation of all Kogites.

”Our administration will strive to complete all ongoing projects and focus on solid minerals, steel development, marine, and digital economy.”

Gov. Ododo expressed optimism about a better Kogi State that will meet the expectations of the people, with Kogi State made better under his administration”.

Gov. Ododo said he will build on the achievements of his predecessor, described former Gov. Bello as the father of modern Kogi State, and praised him for his life transformation achievements and for building a modern Kogi State.

He called on the people to join hands with him in building the unity of the state, acknowledged the efforts of former Gov. Idris Wada, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, and said history will remain kind to them for their roles in shaping the state on the basis of unity.

Ododo paid glowing tributes to the late Prince Abubakar Audu and lauded President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for making the state peaceful and united before and after the governorship election.

Below are images from the ceremony:

News

Shock As Adeleke Employs Roadside puff-puff Hawker As Govt House Chef

Published

2 hours ago

August 30, 2025

Editor

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Thursday shocked a female puff-puff seller during a rally in Osogbo by buying all her snacks with ₦50,000 and offering her employment as a chef at the Government House.

This happened when Osun public servants trooped out in their thousands in what they called an appreciation solidarity rally in support of the governor for his support and care since he took over state governance.

It was observed that the governor, who sat in the bus, had sighted the woman who was among the crowd cheering him.

He immediately beckoned to the woman carrying a plastic container filled with puff-puff on her head and asked how much it would cost to buy all the snacks.

The female hawker, who was visibly surprised and star-struck at the level of her proximity to the governor, found it difficult to even tell the governor how much she sold the snacks.

Surprisingly, Adeleke handed her a bundle of ₦50,000 to the cheers of the crowd.

The lucky woman knelt down in appreciation of the governor’s generosity.

Excited onlookers quickly rushed to share the snacks in the plastic already purchased by the governor.

The governor invited the vendor inside the vehicle where one of his officials questioned her academic background, and she revealed that she holds a Nigerian Certificate in Education.

Adeleke further asked about the dishes she could prepare and instructed his aides to take her contact details for employment as a chef in the Government House.

Confirming the development, the Commissioner II at the Osun State Civil Service Commission, Olaniyan Taofeek, shared the video on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “The moment Gov. Adeleke turned the life of a puff-puff seller into a Government House chef.”

A Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Media, Oni Gbenga Lawrence, also corroborated the incident in a post on X, stating: “Moment Governor Ademola Adeleke turned the life of a puff-puff seller to Government Chef… not only ₦50k but he invited her into his car and employed her as chef in the Government House.”

The Guardian correspondent, who was at the scene of the welcome rally, made efforts to interview the lucky vendor, but they did not yield as she was not allowed to alight from the bus throughout the event.
(The Guardian)

News

Katsina Govt Revokes Licenses Of All Private, Community Schools

Published

3 hours ago

August 30, 2025

Editor

The Katsina State Government has withdrawn the operating licenses of all private and community schools in the state, with effect from August 13, 2025.

The announcement came through a circular issued by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and signed by Commissioner Hajiya Zainab Musa-Musawa.

The ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Malam Sani Danjuma, released the document in Katsina on Saturday.

According to the circular, the move is part of the government’s effort to strengthen quality assurance and standardization within the education sector.

“The withdrawal of licenses is aimed at ensuring that schools operate in line with approved standards and provide quality education to students,” Danjuma said.

The circular also outlined a review of fees for license application, registration, and annual renewal.

“Owners of affected schools are required to obtain fresh licenses by submitting proof of payment to the ministry on or before September 30, 2025.”

The statement also added that school operators have been warned not to increase tuition or other charges without government approval.

The ministry further promised to issue additional guidelines soon, including categorization of schools and the revised fee structure.

News

JUST IN: Oldest Missionary To Nigeria, Ruth Elton, Is Dead

Published

4 hours ago

August 30, 2025

Editor

British-born Nigerian missionary, Ruth Elton, reputed to be the oldest missionary has passed on at the age of 91.

Ruth Elton, born 7 September 1933, was a British-born Nigerian missionary whose lifelong dedication to faith, healing, and revival left an indelible mark on communities across western and central Nigeria.

It was learnt that Elton died on Saturday at Sharon compound, Alafia Bamin Quarters in Ilesa, Osun State.

She was the only daughter of Pa Elton and her remains have been deposited at the mortuary.

Ruth Elton, daughter of Sydney Granville Elton (Pa Elton), who is referred to as one of the founding fathers of Pentecostalism in Nigeria, had approached a Kaduna court and nationalised as a Nigerian.

At old age and despite the happenings in Nigeria, she still held in high esteem her father’s prophecies that although Nigeria could be known globally for corruption, it would only for a while as new dawn would beckon when the country would be known worldwide for righteousness and prosperity.

Elton moved to Nigeria in 1937 with her parents and served as a Christian missionary across Egbe, Okene, Koton Karfe, and other parts of Kogi, Ondo, Oyo, and Osun States.

A naturalised Nigerian, having renounced her British citizenship in the 1970s, she embraced the country completely and became fluent in Ebira and Yoruba.

Elton, who remained single, believed that she had made a true mark in the country and apart from her missionary work, she saw her efforts in taming infant mortality, especially in Okene, Kogi State as a generational impact.

Relating her experience on infant mortality in the country, Elton recently noted that many newborn babies had passed on due to lack of proper care and hygiene, adding that the practice of force-feeding babies contributed to the challenges, especially in the face of poor awareness.