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Kogi guber: Signage agency issues guidelines on use of campaign materials, bans posters in Lokoja metropolis, others

The Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency has issued some guidelines on the use of campaign materials, with a view to ensuring hitch-free, level-playing ground, sanity and protect the environment from defilement before, during and after the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Kogi State.
According to a statement signed on Tuesday by the General Manager of the agency, Osaseyi Richard, all political parties, gubernatorial candidates, politicians and supporters are to abide by the guidelines.
The agency noted that the development is in accordance with its mandate to control and regulate advert displays in the State, as provided under Section 5(1)(a-o) of the Kogi State Signage and Advertisment Law, 2022.
While warning that defaulters, or anyone involved in any form of impunity, lawlessness in the deployment of political campaign materials would be made to face the consequences of their actions, the agency banned campaign posters of all candidates in Lokoja metropolis, Kabba/Bunu, ljumu, Yagba West, Ankpa, Idah, Ayingba, Adavi, Okene and Okehi towns.
KOSSAA disclosed that it was poised to assisting all political parties, politicians, and supporters in ensuring hitch-free and level playing ground in the use of political campaign and advertising materials in the State and strongly urged everyone to comply with the guidelines to ensure sanity and to protect the environment from defilement, visual blight and other adverse effects of uncontrolled deployment and display of political campaign materials within the State before, during and after the poll.
“These guidelines are issued without prejudice to any political party, association or Candidate as it is the Agency’s intention to ensure fairness among all participants while judiciously performing its duties and applying the rules without sentiment or bias.
“The following are the guidelines as they apply to all Political parties before, during and after the November 11, 2023 Gubernatorial elections in Kogi State.
“Political Campaign Materials on billboards may be deployed on existing structures owned and operated by outdoor advertising practitioners who are duly registered with the Agency and have obtained permits for such sites and structures.
“Each billboard erected must be made of standard and sturdy materials to ensure they do not fall or block the roads or constitute risk to Citizenry and commuters.
“Posters must not be pasted on public utility structures such as Street lamps, poles, Transformers, the Ganaja fly-over and other unauthorized surfaces except as duly authorized by the Agency upon payment of relevant fees.
“In addition to the sum of N5,000,000.00 fee payment to the Agency by Political Parties wishing to deploy campaign materials within the State, each billboard erected by Parties, Candidates or Supporters attracts fee of N2,000,000.00
“The sum of N1,000,000.00 will be charged as fee payable to the Agency by Political Parties for every banner displayed in public places.
“A refundable Caution fee of N50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira only) shall be charged by the Agency for the deployment of all campaign materials before, during and after the election.
“Campaign posters of all Candidates are hereby banned in the following parts of Kogi State: Lokoja Metropolis, Kabba/Bunu, ljumu, Yagba West, Ankpa, Idah, Ayingba, Adavi, Okene, Okehi.
“All Political parties and Candidates must remove the campaign materials not more than Ten (10) days after the Gubernatorial elections on November 11, 2023.
“Parties, Candidates and Supporters must refrain from the use of unsavory languages on opponents and to be mindful of the contents of their campaign materials.
“Please note that all Participants are strongly advised to adhere strictly to these guidelines as defaulters, or anyone involved in any forms of impunity, lawlessness in the deployment of political campaign materials will be made to face the consequences of their actions,” the statement read.
News
Kogi State Ranks 5th Lowest in Debt, Boosts Economy with Mining Deal

The strategic economic and fiscal reforms of the Kogi State Government have begun to yield fruitful results, with the state now ranked as having the 5th lowest domestic debt among the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), according to the latest figures released by the Debt Management Office (DMO) as of March 31, 2025.
The report shows that Kogi State’s domestic debt stands at ₦20.38 billion, marking a significant drop from the ₦121.81 billion recorded in Q4 of 2023, when the state ranked 18th lowest in the country.
This reflects a remarkable debt reduction of over ₦101.43 billion in just over one fiscal quarter.
Speaking on the achievement, the State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Asiwaju Asiru Idris, attributed the success to the state’s aggressive implementation of global best practices in financial management, including prudent borrowing, enhanced revenue performance, and strategic expenditure control.
“We are deliberate in our financial approach, cutting waste and focusing on impactful spending. This improvement is not accidental; it is the result of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s transparent , accountable and reform-minded leadership,” he said.
Also speaking, the Auditor General of the State, Alhaji Yakubu Okala, said Kogi’s improved debt standing is evidence of transparency and effective oversight.
“We ensure that all government funds are deployed strictly for their intended purposes. His Excellency’s accounting background has brought a culture of accountability and efficiency to every level of government. Our systems now deliver more results with fewer resources,” he said.
Alhaji Okala commended Governor Ododo’s unwavering support for fiscal institutions, saying the Governor has not only backed reforms but insisted on compliance and value-for-money across all MDAs.
Both the Commissioner of Finance and the Auditor General of the State agreed that the results are products of the hard work by the finance team in the last administration and the consolidation of the present administration in the State to ensure that the resources of the state serve for the people of the State.
They also attribute improved revenue to the reduced need for domestic borrowing, saying the State Government is conveniently funding a good number of capital projects in the State.
In a related development, the Kogi State Government says it has acquired licenses to fully participate in solid minerals mining in the State in a bold move to diversify the state’s economy and expand its revenue base.
The State Government confirmed that it has acquired 15 mining licenses to begin strategic participation in the nation’s solid minerals sector.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, who said the move was driven by the government’s resolve to ensure that Kogites benefit directly from the natural resources on their land.
“With these licenses, Kogi will now take its rightful place in the mining sector, not just as a host but as an active operator. This will unlock value, create jobs for our teeming youth, and grow our internally generated revenue,” Fanwo stated.
He also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Federal Government’s support and the policy framework that now enables subnational entities to participate more directly in mining and resource development.
“This is a major economic breakthrough for our state. We thank Mr. President for enabling states like Kogi to take charge of their destiny. Governor Ododo’s leadership is positioning Kogi not just for today, but for a prosperous, resource-driven future,” Fanwo added.
He assured that the licenses would be put to use through environmentally responsible and community-focused mining initiatives that will stimulate industrial growth and promote local content development.
With the twin achievements of improved debt ranking and entry into strategic mining operations, Kogi State is fast becoming a national model in fiscal sustainability and economic diversification.
News
UniPort’s Prof Charles Nnolim is dead
The renowned academic died in Port Harcourt, where he lectured for many years.

•Professor Charles Nnolim
Professor of English and World Literatures, Charles Nnolim, is dead.
Nnolim died in Port Harcourt, where he lectured for many years.
Though Nnolim’s age at death is not very clear, it is estimated at mid to late eighties.
Nnolim’s scholarly works include: “Approaches to the African Novel”, “Teaching African Literature Today,. “Literature, Literary Criticism and National Development.”
Prof Chijoke Uwasomba of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife who is familiar with Nnolim’s works, said that Nnolim remains one of the finest as far as literary criticism is concerned.
Nnolim left an impressive imprint that is fascinating and worthy.
Nnolim’s death is the fall of an iroko, which will definitely be felt in the literary world.
Nnolim is a product of the old Alvan Ikokwu College of Education.
He capped his intellectual height with a PhD from the Catholic University in the United States.
He returned to Nigeria, landing at the University of Port Harcourt, in the thriving and tempting atmosphere at the time Nigerian universities were seen as the place to be.
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GARBA SHEHU: BUHARI IS BROKE
Shehu stated these in Abuja while fielding questions from journalists after a press conference to announce the public presentation of his 260-page book on July 9 titled, “According to The President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience.”

• ex-President Muhammad Buhari
Mallam Garba Shehu, the Spokesperson to former President Muhammadu Buhari, declared on Tuesday :” Buhari is Broke,” a Nigerian English for being hard up financially .
Garba Shehu maintained that Buhari left office with his personal integrity intact as nobody can say he gave him a bribe.
While insisting that Buhari is broke and does not have money, he also said that the allegation that the former President does not have a certificate was a product of politics surrounding the 2015 election.
Shehu stated these in Abuja while fielding questions from journalists after a press conference to announce the public presentation of his 260-page book on July 9 titled, “According to The President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience.”
According to him, contrary to insinuations, “Buhari is one of the most voracious readers in Nigeria.
He reads all Newspapers and asks for Newspapers every morning.
Shehu said Buhari did not speak to media because he was not a showman and wanted his work to impact on the people.
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