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Kogi Law Students Praise Gov Ododo for ₦300K Bursary, ₦600M WAEC Fee Approval, Education Infrastructure

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…..Describe Gesture as Historic

The National Association of Kogi State Law Students of Nigeria (NAKOLSON) has expressed profound gratitude to the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, for his recent approval of ₦300,000 as bursary allowance for Kogi State citizens currently studying at the Nigerian Law School.

In a statement signed by the association’s president, Ismail Salifu, NAKOLSON described the gesture as unprecedented and historic.

The association praised the governor for his sensitivity to the challenges faced by law students, emphasizing that the initiative has brought immense relief to the beneficiaries.

“We cannot express our gratitude enough for what the governor has done. This is not only historic but also memorable and heartwarming for us,” Salifu stated.

“We honestly did not expect this approval, given that such provisions were not made for those who passed through the Nigerian Law School before us.

However, this governor has taken a different and progressive approach.

“In fact, we were aware that some of our peers from more economically advantaged states received between ₦200,000 and ₦250,000.

Naturally, we set our expectations around these figures—if at all the bursary would be approved.

But the governor surprised us by approving ₦300,000, a sum that goes above and beyond our expectations,” he added.

Salifu also highlighted the timeliness of the intervention, noting the significant financial strain many students face due to the current economic challenges in the country.

“This news came at the right time. Many of our mates had to rely on their parents borrowing money to fund their admission to the Law School.

On campus, students are struggling to make ends meet due to the harsh economic realities.

Governor Ododo’s intervention is not just a financial relief; it is a testament to his commitment to the well-being of students. Truly, he is a man of the people whose impact is felt across all sectors.

We also want to thank the Chairman of Kogi State Scholarship Board, Hon Raji Afolabi for his steadfast and meticulous nature in ensuring the captioning of the beneficial students,” he said.In addition to commending the bursary, the association lauded the governor for consistently paying examination fees for students in the state.

This includes the recent approval of ₦600 million for the payment of WAEC fees, covering 18,734 Kogi State students in public secondary schools.

This initiative, they noted, ensured that no student was left behind in accessing critical educational opportunities, demonstrating the governor’s dedication to building a brighter future for Kogi’s youth.

The association also extended its commendation to the governor for his broader achievements in governance, particularly in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and the welfare of civil servants in the state.

“We also want to use this opportunity to acknowledge the governor’s exceptional leadership in areas such as infrastructure development, education, and healthcare.

Of particular note is his implementation of the new minimum wage of ₦72,500 for state civil servants and the consistent and prompt payment of salaries and pensions since his assumption of office.“

Governor Ododo’s ability to implement a ₦72,500 minimum wage, ahead of many states with larger revenues from the federation account and internally generated revenue, is a clear testament to his people-focused leadership.

It is clear that the governor prioritizes the welfare of the people, and his actions have earned him widespread admiration,” Salifu concluded.

The National Association of Kogi State Law Students expressed confidence in the governor’s continued commitment to addressing the needs of students and other residents, further strengthening his legacy as a transformative leader.

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Killings: Shettima visits Plateau today, Danjuma calls for self-defence

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Amid renewed violence in Plateau and Benue states that has claimed over 100 lives in recent weeks, Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to visit Plateau State today (Monday) as part of federal efforts to stem the tide of attacks and foster lasting peace.

The visit comes days after gunmen launched deadly attacks on Bokkos and Bassa communities in Plateau, attracting public outrage and deepening calls for urgent government intervention.

Confirming the Vice President’s visit, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, disclosed during a tour of affected communities in Bassa on Saturday that Shettima’s visit was directed by President Bola Tinubu himself.

“Mr. President is deeply concerned about these killings. That is why the National Security Adviser was here last week, and now the Vice President is coming to engage stakeholders directly,” Yilwatda stated.

During his visit, Shettima is expected to convene a high-level stakeholders’ meeting aimed at enhancing security coordination and strengthening local peace initiatives.

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, who also visited the communities with top military commanders, including Maj. Gen. Folusho Oyinlola, assured residents of the Federal Government’s commitment to justice and security.

“We are investigating seriously. We are on the trail of the perpetrators and, by God’s grace, they will be brought to justice,” Badaru said.

“Support programmes for victims, especially widows, have also been launched, and more help will come to ease their pain,” he added.

Meanwhile, a former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.), has once again called on Nigerians to rise and defend themselves.

Speaking at a public function in his hometown, Takum, Taraba State, Danjuma reiterated a warning he gave five years ago, arguing that relying solely on government security forces is no longer realistic.

“The warning I gave years ago remains valid. Nigerians must rise and defend themselves before these bandits overrun the entire country,” he said.

Danjuma expressed sorrow over the ongoing killings in Benue and Plateau states, describing them as evidence of the government’s failure to secure the lives and property of its citizens.

“We must be proactive. We cannot continue to watch helplessly while our people are massacred. Enough is enough,” he stressed.

Also, the Plateau Youth Council, Northern Zone, condemned the attacks as deliberate and genocidal, rather than communal clashes as claimed by federal officials.

Addressing journalists in Jos, PYC Northern Coordinator, Samson Chiroma, said, “These are not random clashes. These are systematic attempts to displace our people, coinciding with the beginning of the wet farming season.

This is genocide, plain and simple.”Chiroma accused Fulani militias of carrying out the attacks and faulted the Federal Government’s response as inadequate and detached from reality.

“If the authorities are serious about stopping these killings, they must start by arresting those making inciting statements. Otherwise, it will appear that some people are above the law,” he said.

He called for urgent reinforcement of Operation Rainbow, the state’s local security outfit, through recruitment and retooling to better protect vulnerable communities.

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Girl, 14, killed by lion in Kenya

The alarm was raised by another teenager and KWS rangers followed tracks to the nearby Mbagathi River, where they found the primary school girl’s remains.

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  • Lion/ Getty Images

A 14-year-old girl has been killed by a lion on the outskirts of Nairobi, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said.

The child was snatched from a residential compound on a ranch next to Nairobi National Park, according to the conservation agency.

The alarm was raised by another teenager and KWS rangers followed tracks to the nearby Mbagathi River, where they found the primary school girl’s remains.

The lion has not been found but KWS said it had set a trap and deployed search teams to look for the animal.

(BBC)

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UPDATE: Four-storey building collapses in Lagos (Photos)

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A four-storey building has collapsed in Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos, with occupants trapped, and some feared dead.

Panic gripped residents when the uncompleted building suddenly collapsed on Saturday.

The building houses the popular Equal Right Restaurant.

The incident happened at about 11a.m., today.

As of press time, men of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, as well as the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, who had been contacted have arrived at the scene.

See photos below:

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