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JUST IN: Kogi: Governor Ododo Swears-in 18 Commissioners, Says I Will Lead By Example
You must be reminded that we are neither the best nor the most deserving of the over four million Kogites
The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo on Wednesday sworn in Folashade Arike Ayoade as the Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Ali Bello as his Chief of Staff and five other aides.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Ismaila Isah, said “while acknowledging the support his administration has received from the people of the state, Governor Ododo promised to lead by example by putting ensuring a culture of service, probity, transparency and accountability in service to the people of the state.”
He also said that the people of the state expects a better performance from the new administration, adding that “a system of performance evaluation has been put in place to track and measure the impact of the government on the lives of the people at every point in the tenure of the administration.”
The Governor administered the oath of office on the SSG while the oath of office was administered on the Commissioners and senior aides by the State Solicitor General, Justice Falilat Yusuf.
Ododo charged the new appointees to be fair to everyone in the discharge of their responsibilities while offering their best services to the administration.
He said that the appointees were chosen on the basis of their enviable track record and they are therefore expected to demonstrate commitment by being worthy representatives of the people of the state.
“As you assume office in your various ministries, departments and agencies of the Kogi State government, you must be reminded that we are neither the best nor the most deserving of the over four million Kogites that are equally very eminently qualified”, he said.
Ododo enjoined the appointees to work in the interest of all Kogites without discrimination in whatever guise or form, stressing that they must be dedicated, committed and do right to all manner of people in the course of their service to the state.
He called on the new appointees to work as a team to deliver on the mandate of the people for consolidation and continuity under the new administration.
Responding on behalf of the new appointees, the SSG thanked Governor Ododo for the confidence reposed in her and other appointees and promised not to disappoint the governor and the people of Kogi State.
The new commissioners and their portfolios are Muizideen Yunus Abdallah (Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice); Muhammed Ihiezu Abdulmutalib (Rural Development and Energy); Momodu Salami Ozigi Deedat (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs); Dr. Adams Abdulziz (Health); Fatima Momoh (Women Affairs); Abanika Taiye (Housing and Urban Development); Muhammed Yusuf (Works); Hajiya Rabiyetu Okute (Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation) and Timothy Ojoma (Agriculture and Food Security).
Others Commissioners are Asiwaju Ashiru Idris (Finance, Budget and Economic Planning); Bashir Muhammed Abubakar (Solid Minerals and Natural Resources); Sunday Faleke (Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations); Kingsley Fanwo (Information and Communication); Farouk Danladi (Water Resources); Joseph Olwasegun (Environment and Ecological Management); Wemi Jones (Education); Anyebe Aridaojo (Youth and Sports); and
Muhammed Mukhtar Shaibu (Commerce and Industry)
The senior aides sworn in along with the Commissioners are Air Commodore Jerry Omodara (rtd, State Security Adviser); Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege (Auditor-General for Local Government;
Alhaji Suleiman Ibrahim (Director-General of Protocol in Government House); Ismaila Isah (Special Adviser, Media); and Oladele John Nihi (Chief Press Secretary).
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President Tinubu Signs updated List of Eligible Beneficiaries of State Pardons
Consequently, certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing, etc, were deleted from the list.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has executed the relevant instruments of release to complete the process of formally exercising his constitutional power of prerogative of mercy to grant pardon and clemency to specific individuals who were earlier convicted for various offences.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (information & Strategy), disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
He said that following consultations with the Council of State and public opinion on the matter, the President directed a further review of the initially approved list for consideration in furtherance of the President’s discretionary powers under Section 175(1)(&(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Consequently, certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing, etc, were deleted from the list.
Others who had been hitherto pardoned in the old list had their sentences commuted.
This action became necessary in view of the seriousness and security implications of some of the offences, the need to be sensitive to the feelings of the victims of the crimes and society in general, the need to boost the morale of law enforcement agencies and adherence to bilateral obligations.
The concept of justice as a three-way traffic for the Accused, the Victim, and the State/Society also guided the review.
The approved list of eligible beneficiaries has been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation in line with the duly signed instruments of release.
Furthermore, to ensure that future exercises meet public expectations and best practices, the President has directed the immediate relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
President Tinubu also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue appropriate Guidelines for the Exercise of the Power of Prerogative of Mercy, which includes compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies.
This will ensure that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the issuance of instruments of release.
The President appreciated the constructive feedback and engagement from stakeholders and the general public on this matter.
President Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s broader commitment to judicial reforms and improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.
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170 Foreigners Seeking Nigerian Citizenship – Tunji Ojo
According to the Minister, the 170 applications will undergo rigorous scrutiny by a high-level panel comprising representatives from the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
One hundred and seventy (170) foreign nationals are seeking Nigerian citizenship.
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Interior Minister, disclosed this in Abuja after chairing a meeting of the Citizenship Advisory Committee, which vets all citizenship requests before forwarding recommendations to President Bola Tinubu for approval.
Tunji-Ojo noted that citizenship of the world’s largest Black nation is not for everyone.
“Anyone who holds the citizenship of our great country must be a person of strong character and impeccable integrity, reflecting the true values of Nigeria,” he declared.
According to the Minister, the 170 applications will undergo rigorous scrutiny by a high-level panel comprising representatives from the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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NPF to celebrate 70 years of women in policing
In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, on Wednesday, the celebration is scheduled to hold from December 3 to 4, 2025, and will bring together serving and retired female officers alongside the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The Nigeria Police Force has announced plans to celebrate 70 years of women in policing, honouring seven decades of courage, resilience, and service since the first set of female officers were enlisted in 1955.
In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, on Wednesday, the celebration is scheduled to hold from December 3 to 4, 2025, and will bring together serving and retired female officers alongside the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The statement noted that the milestone “underscores the vital role of women in strengthening law enforcement and fostering community trust across the nation.
It added that the IGP commended the invaluable contributions of female officers to the operational effectiveness and public image of the Force, saying their “dedication and compassion have continued to be integral to the foundation of policing in Nigeria.”
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