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Kogi State’s Strategic Partnership with NASRDA to Enhance Science and Technology Integration

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……NASRDA Chief Applauds Kogi State’s Progress Under Ododo….

The Kogi State government has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to accelerate technological innovations and fast-track processes to drive sustainable development in Kogi State. This announcement was made during a courtesy visit by the governor to the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NASRDA, Dr. Mathew Olumide Adepoju, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

The governor, represented by the State’s Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, Asiwaju Asiru Idris, stated that his administration has invested in technological solutions and established relevant institutions to transform the state’s civil service and create wealth. He added that the partnership with NASRDA would allow for synergy among all the institutions implementing technological solutions in the state.

Governor Ododo emphasized the necessity of reviewing the technical partnership between the state and NASRDA to coordinate investments in technology. He said, “If we are to accelerate development and achieve the goals set for ourselves as a government, technology is a sine qua non.”

“The state’s Ministries of Science and Innovation, Education, Environmental and Disaster Management, Mineral and Natural Resources, and Agriculture, along with agencies such as Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) and Emergency Management, will serve as anchors for the partnership. Other government institutions implementing various technological solutions will be brought together to align their efforts,” he added.

Expressing the state’s readiness for collaboration with NASRDA, Governor Ododo highlighted that the Kogi State 32-Year Development Plan is aimed at providing a coherent framework for long-term strategic development to transform Kogi State into a robust and economically viable state in Nigeria.

“We have developed a 32-Year Development Plan aimed at providing a coherent framework for long-term strategic development towards transforming Kogi State into a robust and economically viable state in Nigeria. The Government of Kogi is poised to consolidate on the gains of previous administrations. As such, this team is here to reactivate our previous relationship with the number one Space Agency in Africa. We are well aware of the importance of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to the critical sectors of the nation’s economy, and we are here to leverage Space Technology in various areas of concern in Kogi State. Our 32-Year Kogi State Development is anchored on three pillars: fostering prosperity, building resilience, and providing direction. All three pillars cannot be optimally achieved without space technology,” he said.

Governor Ododo disclosed that Kogi State is aware of the importance of NASRDA to the critical sectors of the nation’s economy and was at the agency to reactivate former agreements on GIS and leverage Space Technology in various areas of concern in Kogi State. He reiterated that the State’s 32-Year Development is anchored on three pillars: fostering prosperity, building resilience, and providing direction, emphasizing that these critical areas cannot be optimally achieved without space technology.

While seeking collaboration with NASRDA in agriculture, Governor Ododo noted that his administration recently launched the Kogi State Green Revolution, where 100 tractors and thousands of tools were presented to farmers across the state.

“Agriculture is a critical sector under fostering prosperity in our Kogi State 32-Year Development Plan, with an objective to boost food production and promote food security using modern technologies. We recently launched the Kogi State Green Revolution, where 100 tractors and thousands of tools were presented to farmers across the state. We have also cleared over 10,000 hectares of land to demonstrate our preparedness in retaining our number one position in agriculture. We didn’t stop there; we are here to also engage NASRDA on innovative technologies in agriculture to drive prosperity in the state,” said the governor.

Earlier in his address, the governor congratulated Dr. Matthew Adepoju on his recent appointment by the President as the DG/CEO of NASRDA to lead the agency. He expressed optimism about Dr. Adepoju’s capacity to lift the agency to greater heights.

In his address, the DG/CEO of NASRDA, Dr. Matthew Adepoju, congratulated Governor Usman Ododo for his exemplary leadership in Kogi State, assuring that under his leadership, the state will witness tremendous transformation. He noted that the objective of the partnership is to identify and evaluate potential scientific and technological manpower already available in the state and harness the unique contributions of various science and technology bodies for the benefit of the state.

Dr. Adepoju stated that the Centre for Atmospheric Research, the Geospatial Tracking System, and other units of the agency are ready to collaborate with the Kogi State Government. The aim is to bring stakeholders together and communicate contemporary scientific and technological knowledge and skills to target groups such as schools, government institutions, and the private sector. He mentioned that under a former agreement, Kogi State GIS digitized fifty-one thousand buildings in Lokoja alone, noting that the agency will visit the state to assess what is on the ground and what needs to be added for the full optimization of education and other critical sectors.

The DG Commended the Governor for the 32 Years Road map, stating that any Governor with such a document is focused and Have a good plan for Rapid transformation. He called on other States to adopt the Strategy.

He commended the state for being up-to-date with the SUBEB capacity-building efforts in collaboration with NASRDA. Dr. Adepoju also pointed out that Kogi State’s strategic location at the confluence of the Rivers Niger and Benue makes it more vulnerable to flooding. Therefore, the agency and the state will collaborate on a strategic early-warning mechanism and address issues of residency along floodplain areas. He assured that NASRDA would align its plans with the state’s development goals and work hand-in-hand to realize the state government’s ambitious ideas.

In his opening remarks, Dr. James Musa commended Governor Usman Ododo for his exemplary leadership. Noting his close association with the state’s activities under Governor Ododo’s administration, Dr. Musa observed that the state is witnessing tremendous progress and urged the governor to sustain this momentum. He reiterated that the agency would plan in alignment with the state’s development plans and work collaboratively to achieve the government’s lofty objectives.

The representative of the governor, Mukadam Asiwaju Idris Asiru, was accompanied by several key officials: Commissioner for Education, Hon Wemi Jones; Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Timothy Ojoma; Commissioner for Environment, Hon Joseph Oluwasegun; Commissioner for Science and Innovation, Dr. Helen Aderibigbe; Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon Sunday Faleke; Director-General of Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), Barrister Ladi Jato; Director-General of SEMA, Hon Muktar Altima.

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CASER Launches Prince Nduka Obaigbena National Secondary School Essay Competition

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The Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER) is proud to announce the launch of the National Secondary School Essay Competition in honour of Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman of the ThisDay/ARISE Group.

This is disclosed in a statement issued by Otunba Gbenga Onayiga , Chairman, Board of Trustees, CASER, and Frank Tietie, Esq Executive Director, CASER.

The maiden edition of the competition will be exclusive to students of Government College Ughelli (GCU), the alma mater of Prince Obaigbena.

It reads:

” This initiative celebrates his enduring contributions to the advancement of excellence in journalism and broadcasting across the African continent.

The annual competition aims to inspire secondary school students across Nigeria to develop strong writing skills, critical thinking, rigorous research, and a deep commitment to truth, the core principles of responsible journalism.

In an age increasingly challenged by misinformation, online abuse, and the erosion of ethical communication, this competition aims to guide young minds back to the values of integrity, clarity, and accuracy in expression.

Essay Review and Judging Panel

Submissions will be judged exclusively by *Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, a foremost Professor of Communication and Registrar of Baze University, Abuja.

*Professor Sunny Awhefada , a distinguished scholar from the Department of English and Literary Studies at Delta State University, Abraka, developed the evaluation criteria.

Prizes and Date of Award

The top three winning essays will receive the following cash prizes:•

1st Prize: ₦500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira)•

2nd Prize: ₦300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira)•

3rd Prize: ₦200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira)Winners will be announced and awarded on 14 July 2025, coinciding with the birthday anniversary of Prince Nduka Obaigbena.

Inaugural Edition: Government College Ughelli.

The maiden edition of the competition will be exclusive to students of Government College Ughelli (GCU), the alma mater of Prince Obaigbena.

To ensure a smooth rollout, a Local Organising Committee (LOC) comprising members of the GCU Old Boys has been constituted as follows:

1. Mike Akoreh – Chairman

2. Efe Onomake – Alternate Chairman

3. Charles (Charlie) Umuakpero – Secretary

4. Oghenevwoke Edjere – Member

5. Sunny Ahanmisi – Member

6.Anthony Mukoro -Member.

The committee will commence its duties immediately to coordinate all activities and ensure the successful implementation of the competition.”

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2027: Hurdles Before The Coalition, By Emeka Monye

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The 2027 presidential election in Nigeria is shaping up to be a crucial contest between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and a potential coalition of opposition parties. Several hurdles need to be overcome for the opposition coalition to succeed.

The political class is already preparing for this quadrennial event, holding consultations, meetings, negotiations, among other contending factors.

The ruling party, The All Progressive Congress, appears to be the most beautiful bride at the moment as members of other opposition parties have been courting the party, in a gale of defections, in what many political pundits and analysts described as a political tsunami.

While the APC seems to be enjoying the foray of defections by other party members into their fold, the main opposition party, The Peoples Democractic Party, PDP, appears to have lost its steam in the run of play.

The once dominant party is plagued by a series of internal crises which many political analysts believe will be the party’s undoings.

The once largest political party in Africa and oldest in Nigeria since it was created in 1998 by some elder statesmen, is now a shadow of itself, living in past glory and trying to win its way back to national prominence.

Already, some past and present leaders of the party have been consulting, negotiating, discussing, even though they have agreed yet, all in a bit to wrestle power from the stronghold of the Bola Tinubu-Led APC at the centre.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Former Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General elections, Peter Obi, former Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, among other bigwigs, are believed to be in talks with one another of how to build a possible coalition to edge the ruling APC in the power game.

Although, no concrete decision has been reached by the major actors, their negotiations and their inability to reach a consensus remain critical factors that might endanger the birth of a viable coalition.

Factors like who will step down for who as the realignment begins, remains a major issue, taking into consideration their individual experiences, exposures, skills, knowledge, capacities and egos.

Except this issue is resolved in the run up to the 2027 presidential polls, it will be a mirage for them to unseat the Tinubu-Led government.

While the running party is busy strategizing ahead of the 2027 presidential polls, the other parties are still grappling with their internal crisis.

Some analysts believe that Atiku’s past experience as Vice President under the regime of Olusegun Obasanjo, might give him an edge, while others think Peter Obi’s popularity in the South could bring a geographical balance to the ticket.

For them to form a strong force against the APC, then, they must find common platform and agree on a candidate, which might be challenging given their different ideologies and interest.

Other factors which some political analysts have highlighted that may pose as a stumbling block agents the coalition is the timing. The time between and 2027 is quite a short time for the coalition to gather and make the desired impact.

This of course, is no brainer. Any merger of alliance must be arranged within a reasonable timeframe to be effective. Also, the coalition will have to convince the Nigerian voting public of its purpose and demonstrate a clear vision for the country’s future, particularly in the area of addressing the economic misfortunes of majority of the people. Another hurdle that would be staring the coalition in the face remains the issue of power rotation.

While the south believe it’s that turn to complete their second term in 2027, the north on the other hand argue that they have been short-changed in the governance structure of the country – in terms of number of years – since the return of democracy in 1999.

Out of the total 26 years, the north has ruled for 11 years, with the south 15 years. The issue remains a key factor that would affect the coalition to birth.

The coalition, must as a matter of urgency, decency decide on this unwritten agreement about rotating power between the North and the South, potentially present a southern for one term to allow the South to complete its own two terms for the office of the president.

In conclusion, the coalition, if it really wants to win power in 2027, must make a compelling case for itself, highlighting its unique strengths and vision, rather than just criticizing the incumbent.

It needs to differentiate itself and show Nigerians that it has a better alternative.

Emeka Monye Is A Journalist And Works With ARISE NEWS.

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Mauritania’s Tah succeeds Adesina as 9th AfDB President

Tah was elected to succeed Adesina after rounds of voting conducted by the AfDB Board of Governors during the Bank’s Annual Meetings held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

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Mauritania’s Sidi Ould Tah has been elected as the ninth president of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) as Nigeria’s Akinwumi Adesina prepares to bow out.

The Bank announced his election on its website on Thursday.

Adesina’s 10-year tenure will end this year and Tah is expected to assume office on September 1, 2025.

Tah was elected to succeed Adesina after rounds of voting conducted by the AfDB Board of Governors during the Bank’s Annual Meetings held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The Board comprises finance ministers and central bank governors from the Bank’s 81 member countries.

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