The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, represented by the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adams Abdulazeez Adeiza, has officially handed over sites for the construction of critical infrastructure at the Prince Abubàkar Audu University Teaching Hospital Anyigba.

The projects include the construction of new classrooms, a library, a multipurpose medical laboratory, consultant offices, and the renovation of the existing clinical laboratory.

The governor emphasized that these facilities will enhance the institution’s capacity to deliver quality training to medical and allied health students, restore lost accreditations, and expand medical research and healthcare services.

The governor recalled the setback of losing accreditation for medical student training in 2015 but celebrated the success of students who graduated despite the challenges.

He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to consolidating achievements and investing in projects that touch lives, drive development, and secure a brighter future for Kogi State citizens.

The governor urged the host communities to take ownership of public infrastructure, protect them, support government initiatives, and collaborate with contractors. He directed contractors to deliver quality work within the stated timeline in 2025.

The vice Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Prof. Marietu Tenuche, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Governor for his commitment to human capital development in the health sector.

The university is set to receive new classrooms, a library, multipurpose medical laboratory, consultant offices, and a renovated existing clinical laboratory.

Prof. Tenuche described this development as a “long dream come true” and highlighted the university’s efforts to revive the MBBS program, which was stopped in 2012. The university has introduced programs like Nursing Science, BSc Anatomy, BSc Physiology, BSc Medical Science Laboratory, and BSc Pharmacology to support the MBBS program.

The Vice Chancellor praised the pioneer medical students who excelled in other universities after losing accreditation for the MBBS program. For instance, three students from the University won 18 out of 20 awards, showcasing the potential of the university’s students.

She attributed the previous inability to commence the MBBS program to the lack of a teaching hospital, which was addressed by the provision of the Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital by the state government.

Prof. Tenuche commended the Honorable Commissioner for Health for his commitment and focus on the project. Dr. Abdulazeez Adams visited the university, assessed the facilities, and assured the Vice Chancellor that the governor would provide the necessary support.

The swift action by the governor’s office, with engineers assessing the site just two days after the commissioner’s visit, demonstrates the government’s dedication to improving healthcare in Kogi State.

The Vice Chancellor thanked the governor and the commissioner for their support, citing the importance of healthcare in economic development, as “health is wealth.” The event marks a significant milestone in the university’s pursuit of reviving its medical programs and enhancing healthcare delivery in the state.¹

The Acting Chief Medical Director of Prince Abubakar University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Nayo Anthony, expressed gratitude to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his commitment to healthcare development in Kogi State. He praised the governor for building on the legacy of his predecessor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, who initiated the medical school project.

The new infrastructure will enhance the hospital’s capacity to provide quality healthcare and support the medical program.

Dr. Oladele highlighted the hospital’s progress, including receiving medical consumables and equipment, expanding specialized treatment services, and establishing a functional histopathology lab.

The state government has also built an oxygen plant, which will supply oxygen to the hospital and other healthcare facilities in the local government area. Additional projects to set for construction include:
A Dialysis Center, Soon to be flagged off, to address the need for specialized care others are Maternal and Newborn Care Program in Partnership with National Health Insurance to provide care for vulnerable population equally Free Pre-Pregnancy Services would be made Available at PAUTH and other general hospitals in Kogi State

The Chief Medical Director commended the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adams Abdulaziz, for identifying key healthcare challenges in Kogi State, including infrastructural gaps and personnel needs.

The ongoing project aims to address these issues by building infrastructure and producing skilled healthcare professionals. With these developments, the hospital is poised to deliver improved healthcare services, aligning with Governor Ododo’s initiative to revamp primary healthcare centers across the state.

Also speaking, The Provost of the School of Medicine, Dr. Akogu Simon, expressed joy and gratitude to the government and the university’s leadership for their commitment to the project. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Marietu Tenuche, has been instrumental in driving the project forward, and her leadership has paid off with the realization of the MBBS program.

The project is expected to improve healthcare delivery in Kogi State and provide opportunities for students to pursue medical education he asserted.

The Executive Chairman of Dekina Local Government, Hon. Urah John, expressed gratituder to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for fulfilling his promise to bring the project to life. The project is expected to add value to the health sector in Kogi State,r and the local government pledges its loyalty and support to the governor’s administration.

Hon. John also appreciated the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza , and the management of Prince Abubakar Audu University, led by Vice Chancellor Professor Marietu Tenuche, for their efforts in making the project a reality.

The member representing Dekina/Biraidu constituency and chairman House committee one Health, Hon. Usman Ochidi expressed gratitude and joy, feeling vindicated after some people doubted the establishment of another investmentrd in the university.

He commended the governor for bringing life to the project, which will provide an enabling environment for medical students to be accredited. This development will add value to the health sector in Kogi State.

He noted that within the next 7-8 years, Kogi State will have a significant number of medical doctors, addressing the current shortage. The state government has announced plans to employ over 200 medical doctors, and this project will help meet that need. Hon. Ochidi praised the governor’s leadership and policy decisions, which are expected to make Kogi State a hub for medical education and healthcare delivery.

The Eje Dekina, Alhaji (Dr). Usman Obaje, represented by Alhaji Abu Shaibu Okolo, the Ogohi Onu Anyigba welcomed the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, to Prince Abubakar Audu University. He expressed gratitude to the governor for supporting the university’s development.

The traditional ruler praised the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Marietu Tenuche, for her leadership and dedication to the university’s growth.

He acknowledged the governor’s role in providing a conducive environment for the university to thrive and appreciated his support for the institution’s development projects.

A representative of the the contractors, Zach Uhiani and Afan Nigeria Limited, anticipated completing the project before the end of the year.

“We are committed to meeting the expectations of the governor and commissioner, ensuring the laboratory’s excellence and functionality in line with the state’s healthcare development goals.”

Former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over alleged defamatory statements made against him by the suspended senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

In the petition, written and signed by his solicitor, Mr. N.A. ABUBAKAR Esq, to the IGP on Wednesday, Bello called on the Nigeria Police Force under his (IGP’s) leadership to invite Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan to substantiate her allegation against him with credible evidence.

“Where she fails to do so, cause her to be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the law for criminal defamation, inciting public disturbance and spreading false information injurious to public peace,” the lawyer wrote.He said that the utterances made against the former governor were not only false, reckless and inciting, but “they constitute serious criminal defamation, false accusation and incitement to public disorder, all of which are offences under the Nigerian law.

“The former governor has also written to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, through his Counsels, Chief R.O. Balogun, SAN & Co, demanding retraction and public apology over defamatory statements made against him in two national dailies, or face legal consequences.

“Our Client’s attention has been drawn to a most disturbing, damaging and criminally defamatory statement made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, during her public address at a political event tagged ‘Homecoming Rally’ held on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Okehi LGA of Kogi State.

“That while addressing attendees at the rally, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan falsely and maliciously uttered the following words in reference to our client: ‘(Senate President Godswill) Akpabio sent for Yahaya Bello.

And it was actually Senator Asuquo from Cross River that drove Yahaya Bello from Hilton Hotel. “I was informed of everything and what I got to know of the meeting was in two folds.

He told him to commence my recall and that he was going to fund it – of course, monies changed hands that night.

“The second thing he told him was that he should try and kill me. I didn’t make this public, but I wrote to the IG of Police. Akpabio told Yahaya Bello.

He told him that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, that it should be done here, so it would seem as if it’s the people that killed me here …’

“That these utterances are not only false, reckless and inciting, but they constitute serious criminal defamation, false accusation and incitement to public disorder, all of which are offences under Nigerian law,” Bello’s lawyer, Abubakar, wrote in the petition to the IGP.He said Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, penalises a person who knowingly or intentionally sends false messages or information through a computer or network likely to cause harm to the reputation of another person.

He added that, in Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case, she caused videos of her above statement to be widely circulated online where it has continued to trend till date with the clear intention of causing harm to the reputation of the former governor against Sections 114 and 140 of the Penal Code (applicable in Northern Nigeria) – which criminalises giving false information with intent to mislead public officers or the public.

“By accusing our client of plotting an assassination and naming him as a co-conspirator in a purported murder plot (with an attempt to disguise the killing as mob or ethnic violence),

Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan has:”Gravely damaged our client’s reputation by portraying him as a violent and vengeful political actor and misled the public and tried to incite ethnic and political distrust, especially among clans of Ebiraland in particular and the people of Kogi Central in general.

The Kogi State Government has set an ambitious target of generating one billion naira in revenue from signage and advertisement by 2026, as part of its broader strategy to boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and reduce dependence on federal allocations.

This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, during a management meeting with heads of agencies under the ministry in Lokoja.

Fanwo described the appointment of Mr. Richard Osaseyi as the General Manager of the Kogi State Signage and Advertising Agency as “a masterstroke,” noting that it would reposition the agency for greater efficiency and impact.

“Kogi has no business depending solely on federal allocations if we are able to harness internal revenue opportunities effectively.

Signage and advertisement can generate over a billion naira for the state by 2026,” Fanwo said.

“This is why we are gathered here to brainstorm on the prospects and challenges. Revenue generation is top on the agenda of the Ododo Administration as we aim to fund infrastructure and development from within.

”Fanwo further emphasized that Governor Ododo has successfully “separated revenue from politics,” allowing professionals to drive economic initiatives without interference.

In his remarks, Mr. Richard Osaseyi outlined strategies already being implemented to reposition the agency and boost revenue.

He revealed that many large corporate advertisers in the state had been underpaying in the past, but that the agency is now engaging with them diplomatically to correct the imbalance.

“With our new approach, we’re already seeing positive responses,” Osaseyi said. “The agency is poised to become a major contributor to the state’s IGR, and we will intensify public sensitization to build trust and cooperation.

”The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Ebenezer Adurodija, also commended the agency’s readiness and pledged the ministry’s continued support to ensure the success of the initiative.

Meanwhile, in a related development, Commissioner Fanwo inaugurated a Ministerial Committee to begin work on the launch of Project Confluence of Opportunities, an initiative aimed at projecting Kogi’s vast economic and tourism potential to both local and global investors.

“Kogi is one of the most richly endowed states in Nigeria — geographically, historically, and naturally,” Fanwo said.

“From the Confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue to Mount Patti and our rich mineral resources, Kogi has everything to become a top investment and tourism destination.

“Project Confluence of Opportunities is our bold step to tell the world that Kogi is open for business. Our mandate goes beyond informing our people — we are also here to tell our story to the world in a way that attracts value.

”The initiatives form part of the Ododo Administration’s broader blueprint to reposition Kogi as a self-reliant, investor-friendly state and a model of good governance in Nigeria.