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JUST IN: Yuletide: Governor Ododo Distributes Over 100 Trucks of Rice to Residents
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has distributed over 100 truck loads of rice to residents of the state as part of efforts to ensure a joyous Christmas and New Year celebration for families.
The gesture, aimed at alleviating the burden of rising costs during the festive period, was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, on Friday in Lokoja.
Fanwo noted that the initiative underscores the Governor’s commitment to the welfare of the people.
“I can confirm that the People’s Governor, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo, has taken delivery of over 100 truckloads of rice, which are being distributed to the 21 Local Government Areas.
This is to ensure that families across the state enjoy their holidays,” he said. Fanwo added that the Governor, in addition to this gesture, ensured the timely payment of salaries to civil servants on December 14, 2024, while also making provisions for residents not directly on the government payroll.
“The Governor has once again demonstrated his unbending commitment to the welfare of the people, in line with his oath to defend and promote the interests of Kogi citizens.
His actions continue to reflect his determination to prioritize the needs of the masses,” Fanwo stated.
To ensure equitable distribution, the Governor directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to oversee the process and prevent political interference.
“The Governor has mandated the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to ensure that the materials reach those who need them most.
Measures have been put in place to prevent the distribution from being hijacked by politicians or other interest groups.
This administration is committed to fairness and transparency in every initiative,” Fanwo said. Reports from various Local Government Areas indicate that the distribution has sparked jubilation among residents, with many praising the Governor’s leadership and compassion.
A resident of Ajaka in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area, Mr. Andrew Abah, lauded the Governor’s efforts, describing him as a leader with an unwavering commitment to his people.
“This Governor has shown remarkable capacity and genuine love for his people. He is detribalized and inclusive, ensuring that the welfare of civil servants and ordinary citizens is prioritized.
He is making it difficult for anyone to dislike him,” Abah said. The distribution of rice is part of a broader strategy by Governor Ododo’s administration to cushion the effects of economic hardship on Kogi residents, particularly during the festive season.
This initiative has further solidified his reputation as a leader who is deeply attuned to the needs of his people.
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Senate okays Yuguda acting in full capacity as AMCON Board chairman
The confirmation followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, chaired by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East).
The Senate on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Lamido Yuguda Abubakar as Chairman of the Board of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).
The confirmation followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, chaired by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East).
Abiru, during the presentation of the report, urged the Senate to consider and approve the nomination of Yuguda for appointment as chairman of the AMCON board.
The development followed a request by President Bola Tinubu seeking the screening and confirmation of Yuguda’s appointment.
The President’s request was contained in a letter read on the floor of the Senate by Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on July 8.
News
311 lawmakers say “YES!” to establish state police
Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, disclosed that 35 lawmakers participated in the voting virtually, while 276 members were physically present in the chamber.
311 lawmakers in the House of Representatives on Thursday voted in favour of the proposed constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police services.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to Provide for the Establishment of State Police Services and for Related Matters (HB. 2797),” seeks to amend the Constitution to create a legal framework for the establishment of state police services.
Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, disclosed that 35 lawmakers participated in the voting virtually, while 276 members were physically present in the chamber.
The passage followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, during plenary.
President Bola Tinubu recently transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, to the House of Representatives.
News
Oyo Schools Kidnappers: Court Sentences Three To Life Imprisonments
The convicts — Abdulrazak Umar (a.k.a. Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (a.k.a. Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (a.k.a. Abu Itisar) — were convicted after pleading guilty to several terrorism-related charges.
Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three men to life imprisonment for their roles in the kidnapping of school children and teachers at Oriire Local Government Area (LGA) of Oyo State.
The convicts — Abdulrazak Umar (a.k.a. Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (a.k.a. Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (a.k.a. Abu Itisar) — were convicted after pleading guilty to several terrorism-related charges.
The defendants, all from Suleja LGA in Niger State, were arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement, and illegal mining.
They admitted to concealing information about the masterminds of the school attack and acknowledged their membership of Darul Salam, an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist organisation Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru).
While the trio maintained their innocence on Counts 1, 2, 4, and 5, they pleaded guilty to other counts. Only the first defendant, Umar, further pleaded guilty to Counts 7, 8, 9, and 10, which alleged that he provided training and instructions to terrorists through a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.”
The prosecution alleged that between January and May 2026, the defendants conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed, and Ibrahim Khabab to kidnap the school children and teachers in Oyo State, in violation of Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
They were also accused of aiding the kidnapping and concealing information about the masterminds, contrary to Sections 26(2) and 16(1) of the Act.
During proceedings, the prosecution urged the court to convict the defendants on the counts to which they pleaded guilty, in line with Section 274 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, and to fix a date for the trial of the remaining counts.
Defence counsel requested that sentencing on the guilty counts be deferred until the conclusion of the trial on the contested charges. The prosecution opposed this, arguing that the law requires immediate conviction and sentencing on counts where guilty pleas were entered.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court reviewed the facts of the case. The prosecution called its first witness, an investigator with the Department of State Services (DSS) identified by the pseudonym AAA. The witness testified that the defendants made voluntary extra-judicial statements in the presence of their lawyer, which were electronically recorded and endorsed by the defendants and their counsel. The recordings were tendered in evidence.
Justice Ibrahim subsequently convicted and sentenced the three defendants to life imprisonment on the counts to which they pleaded guilty.
The matter has been adjourned to September 16 and 17, 2026, for the continuation of trial on the remaining counts.
Senate okays Yuguda acting in full capacity as AMCON Board chairman
311 lawmakers say “YES!” to establish state police
Oyo Schools Kidnappers: Court Sentences Three To Life Imprisonments
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