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PHOTOS: Ododo Sworn In As Kogi Governor

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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.

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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.

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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.

READ ALSO: Kogi’s Gov Ododo Retains Nine Of Yahaya Bello’s 16 Commissioners

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.

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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.

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”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.

READ ALSO: Police Reveal Identity Of Officer Caught In Viral Video Demanding Bribe From Motorist

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“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.”

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”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.

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READ ALSO: FG Commences Allocation Of Affordable Houses To Nigerians

”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”.

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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.

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Below are images from the ceremony:

 

 

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Court Restrains EDSIEC, Edo Govt From Conducting LG By-elections

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An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has restrained the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) and the state government from going ahead with planned local government by-elections across 59 wards in the state.

The Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice was also a party to the suit.

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Justice Mary E. Itsueli, sitting as a vacation judge, granted the order on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, following an ex-parte motion brought to the court by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP, through its counsels, Oluwole Osaze Uzzi, Michael Ekwemuka and P. W. Akwuen, in the suit marked: B/247M/2025, had prayed the court for leave to apply for judicial review of EDSIEC’s decision to conduct by-elections to fill councillorship positions in the affected wards.

READ ALSO:Court Orders Arrest Of 2 Lawyers Over Alleged Forgery, Impersonation

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The party argued that the councillors’ tenures remain valid until September 2026, making any attempt to declare their seats vacant unlawful.

Justice Itsueli, who held that the applicants had shown sufficient grounds for the court to intervene, also referred the matter to the Chief Judge of Edo State for reassignment to a regular court, fixing September 30, 2025, for the return date.

In the enrolment order sighted by our correspondent, the PDP sought “an Order granting leave to the Applicant to apply for judicial review of the decision of the 1st Respondent to conduct election across 59 wards purportedly to fill vacancies to their legislative seats/offices of Councillors sponsored by the Applicant, when their respective tenures subsist until September, 2026.”

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The PDP also asked the court to grant “an Order that the Respondents stay further action and be restrained from conducting the election or taking any further steps in connection with the planned Local Government by election across 59 wards in Local Government Areas of Edo State, particularly as it relates to the seats/offices of the duly elected Councillors in their respective Wards, pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Motion on notice for judicial review to be filed pursuant to the grant of leave.”

READ ALSO:Men Can Take Wives’ Surnames —South Africa’s Top Court Rules

Having duly considered the application and submission of the Counsels to the PDP, the Court ordered that “the applicants are granted leave to apply for Judicial review of the decision of the 1st Respondent to conduct by elections across 59 Wards, purportedly to fill vacancies in the legislative seats/offices of Councillors sponsored by the Applicant, when their respective tenures subsist until September, 2026.”

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The Court also ordered that the “respondents are to stay further actions and are restrained from conducting the election or taking any further steps in connection with the planned Local Government by-election across 59 wards in the Local Government Area of Edo State, particularly as it relates to the seats/offices of the duly elected Councillors in their respective wards, pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion on notice for Judicial review to be filed pursuant to the grant of leave.”

This case is referred to the Honourable Chief Judge for assignment to a regular court. Return date is 30th September 2025,” Justice Mary Itsueli noted.

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JUST IN: Kenya Airways Pays NCAA Sanction Fee For Passenger’s Rights Violations

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Kenya Airways has paid the sanction fee imposed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority over passenger rights violations, including the case involving Nigerian traveller Gloria Omisore.

According to a post by the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, on his official X account on Thursday, the airline settled the penalty on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, following a series of meetings that included the Kenyan High Commissioner to Nigeria, airline representatives, and officials from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

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Kenya Airways has, on Wednesday 17/09/2025, paid the sanction fee as a penalty for the Gloria Omisore and other consumer protection-related infractions,” Achimugu confirmed.

READ ALSO:NCAA Slams Penalty On Kenya Airways Over Gloria Omisore, Others

He stressed that NCAA sanctions are not designed to punish operators but to strengthen compliance with safety and passenger-handling standards.

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As always, NCAA sanctions are not to punish operators, but to help improve their flight operations, especially with regard to safety and passenger handling protocols,” he said.

While commending Kenya Airways for complying, Achimugu noted that payment of fines does not conclude the matter, as the timeframe for resolving the cases has already elapsed. “The payment of sanction fines does not conclude the issues. The NCAA will follow through and is assuring both passengers and airlines of its commitment to protecting their rights and responsibilities,” he added.

Achimugu also emphasised the airline’s long-standing partnership with Nigeria, noting that the penalty was case-specific and does not diminish the positive aspects of its operations.

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The NCAA said it would continue to enforce regulations to safeguard passenger rights and ensure airlines adhere to international aviation standards.

READ ALSO:NCAA Petitions IGP Over KWAM 1’s Unruly Conduct In Abuja Airport

In February, Nigerian passenger Gloria Omisore accused Kenya Airways of mishandling her during a disrupted trip that left her stranded at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Omisore, who had been denied boarding on her connecting flight to Paris due to a missing Schengen transit visa, claimed the airline had earlier assured her she was eligible to travel. The visa issue resulted in a 17-hour layover, followed by an additional 10-hour delay for an alternative London route offered by the airline.

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During the long wait, Omisore requested accommodation and care, citing exhaustion and health concerns, but Kenya Airways declined, arguing that such provisions do not apply in visa-related denied boardings. The situation escalated into a confrontation, captured on video, where Omisore allegedly threw used sanitary pads at staff.

In response, the NCAA launched an investigation, finding Kenya Airways guilty of breaching consumer protection regulations and misleading the public in its initial statements.

On May 7, 2025, the NCAA sanctioned the airline, ordering compensation of 1,000 Special Drawing Rights for each of the three affected passengers, including Omisore, and demanding a public apology.

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Flood: Residents Chide Edo Govt Over Failure To Show Concern

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Residents of Ekpoma in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State have lambasted the Governor Monday Okpehbolo-led state government over failure to show concern on the tragic incident where a cocoa merchant, Frank Omoruyi, was swept away by flood.

Recall that it was reported on Tuesday that flood swept away a man earlier identified as motorcyclist.

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The residents, while expressing displeasure over the state government’s failure to send any rescue team to help recover the corpse, said they paid what they termed ‘good money’ to divers from Benue State to recover Omoruyi’s corpse from a burrow pit at Uwenbo area after two days of intense search.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Warns Companies Against Fuelling Edo–Delta Boundary Dispute

The residents who lamented that no state government or local government official joined in the rescue operation, threatened to protest and stop further construction work of the Benin-Auchi highway.

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A resident, Samuel Osarenkhoe said: “Two Benue boys were hired to get the body out. We paid them handsomely. He was a cocoa merchant. He was our member and a good friend.

Another resident, Luis Ebabulu, said: “They were saddened that no government official visited the community two days after the incident occurred.

READ ALSO:Edo PDP Knocks Okpebholo Over ₦2.5b Donation To UBTH

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No government official has been here since the incident occurred. We have been contributing money to pay people to search for the body. We are coming out tomorrow to protest to stop the project. They cannot be doing roads and be killing us.

“Flooding and erosion problems have been worsened by the construction of the Benin-Auchi highway. The contractor channeled flood water to the borrowed pit.”

Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu, said Governor l has desilted drainages across the state.

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