News

PHOTOS: Ododo Sworn In As Kogi Governor

Published

1 year ago

January 27, 2024

Editor

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

Lagos Suspends BRT Lane Enforcement On Eko Bridge, Odo Iya-Alaro

Published

13 hours ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government has temporarily suspended enforcement of the Bus Rapid Transit lane along the Eko Bridge and Odo Iya-Alaro corridor to ease growing traffic congestion.

This gridlock is a result of the ongoing structural rehabilitation on the Ogudu-Ifako Bridge expansion joint.

Special Adviser to the Lagos Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa announced the suspension on Wednesday, describing it as a strategic move to tackle gridlock in affected parts of the city.

“This remedial measure, conceived as a palliative response to mitigate commuter hardship, aligns with the Lagos State Government’s forward-thinking and adaptive transportation strategy under the THEMES Plus Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, particularly within the framework of sustainable traffic management and infrastructure modernisation,” Giwa said.

He explained that the temporary suspension is a transitional and conditional measure aimed at absorbing the anticipated vehicular overflow caused by the partial closure of the Ifako-bound carriageway of the Third Mainland corridor.

“We are fully cognizant of the immense strain currently imposed on key ingress routes into the Lagos Mainland. Consequently, this tactical suspension of BRT lane enforcement is a calculated response designed to deliver immediate relief, reduce commuting time, and preserve the fluidity of vehicular movement throughout the duration of the bridge repairs,” he added.

According to him, the directive takes immediate effect and allows general vehicular access to previously restricted BRT corridors on Eko Bridge and Odo Iya-Alaro, particularly during peak travel periods.

He said this move is expected to expand available road capacity and ease traffic along critical routes.

Giwa, however, stressed that commercial buses and articulated vehicles must remain in compliance with existing safety rules and loading guidelines to avoid worsening traffic conditions or compromising public safety.

He also disclosed that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has been mobilised to strengthen its presence along the affected corridors.

“Enhanced personnel deployment and traffic equipment are now in place to ensure orderly conduct, prevent exploitation of the temporary suspension, and respond promptly to any emergent traffic disturbances,” Giwa stated.

News

Lagos Opens Teacher Recruitment Portal For Two Weeks

Published

14 hours ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government has announced the reactivation of its teaching job recruitment portal to allow qualified individuals to apply for entry-level teaching positions.

In a notice issued by the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission on Tuesday, the portal will be open for applications from Tuesday, July 1 to Monday, July 14, 2025.

“The Lagos State Teaching Service Commission is set to reactivate its Recruitment Portal as a bold step towards improving access to employment opportunities, equity, and fairness.

“The job portal, which will be accessible for two weeks (Tuesday, July 1st 2025, to Monday, July 14th, 2025), is intended to provide a centralised platform where individuals can apply for State Teaching jobs at the entry level (GL 08) in their relevant fields,” the notice read.

The move, according to the Commission, is aimed at improving access to employment opportunities in the education sector while ensuring equity and fairness.

TESCOM urged interested applicants with a degree in Education or other relevant qualifications to visit the official portal https://tescomjobs.lagosstate.gov.ng and apply for teaching roles at Grade Level 08.

The notice was signed by the Chairman of the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission.

News

FG Unveils N50m Grant To Boost Student Innovation, Entrepreneurship

Published

14 hours ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has announced a N50m Student Grant Venture Capital Initiative to support scaling student-led enterprises in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

Alausa said the initiative aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry by turning homegrown research into commercially viable products and services.

The minister made the announcement on Wednesday in Abuja when he inaugurated the Research and Innovation Commercialisation Committee.

He said the scheme, which will be anchored by TETFund in partnership with the Bank of India, targets undergraduate students in 300-level and above with viable business models and innovations ready for market expansion.

According to the minister, the development is aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda of transitioning Nigeria from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-driven one.

“We have hundreds of thousands of young geniuses across our institutions. This fund is designed to unlock their potential and help them build globally competitive enterprises,” the minister said.

On her part, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, described the inauguration as a landmark moment in Nigeria’s education and innovation history.

“For too long, research in our tertiary institutions has been reduced to tools for promotion rather than solutions for development. This must change,” she said.

In his response, the Committee Chairman, Dr. Tayo Aduloju, described the RICC as “a matter of national urgency”, noting that Nigeria’s research investment as a percentage of GDP is among the lowest when compared to peer nations.