News
Groups task Kogi Govt. to increase resources for OGP commitments
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Initiative for Grassroot Advancement, (INGRA) Nigeria and the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has called on the Kogi State Government to allocate more resources on the commitments for Open Government Partnership, (OGP). adsbygoogle || []).push({});
The groups made the call at a one day dissemination meeting of the Kogi State 2024 budget analysis to the Open Government Partnership, (OGP) organized by the Initiative for Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria, (INGRA) in partnership with Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room in Lokoja.
The Executive Director of INGRA Hamza Aliyu decried the poor resources allocated for the commitments of OGP in Kogi State stressing that, there is need for improvement which is in line with the initiative of OGP aimed at
promoting transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance.
Explaining reasons why the Kogi State Government should allocate more resources for OGP commitments, Aliyu said ” The main objective of this one day activities is to analyze the 2024 Kogi State revised budget and extract the component that has to do with OGP.
“We feel that we need to extract that aspect of it to bring out this commitments and see if this commitments aligns with that of the OGP and see how much of that money was budgeted for and how we can be able to track them subsequently using the Kogi State House of Assembly in knowing the expenditures in this commitments areas.
“The OGP has four thematic areas which are fiscal transparency, access to Information, service delivery and extractive Sector Transparency. The five commitments under this thematic areas are enhance citizens participation in the State budget cycle, strengthen public procurement processes in Kogi State, Improve Citizens Access to Government Held Information and Records.
“Other commitments are: Improve Service Delivery in Kogi State through the introduction of service compact and Work together with relevant stakeholders towards enhancing healthy well-being of mining host communities.
“Now, we are looking at the quantum of resources that was allocated to the OGP commitments and we observed that it is a little bit small in terms of size. But of course, this is the first time the State is doing this so we can appreciate the State Government but we are saying we need to improve the amount of resources we are putting.
“Again looking at the comparison between the amount of money that was spent on OGP which has to do with Citizens and their engagement, we are also comparing it with the amount of money that has been spent by the state as a whole and we are saying it is really small again.
“Going forward, we need to increase this percentage between the resources given to commitment and OGP which is what Citizens are expecting and then the expenditure Government itself in other areas of recurrent and over head expenses. We are saying they need to increase this resources going forward.
“One commitment that stands out is that of extractive industry transparency. There is a commitment that they need to work with communities in the extractive industry which is the coal mine, Obajana community to be able to discuss issues around environment pollution and how it affects the Citizens and the amount allocated to Ministries, Department and Agencies, (MDA’s) by the Government. So we are very happy about that one.
News
Unidentified, Mutilated Corpse of Man Found Behind Pankshin Market in Plateau
On Tuesday, October 6, 2026 morning, the corpse of an unidentified man was found behind the Monday Market in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State with his private part and other vital organs allegedly removed. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
According to a community source, the corpse was discovered by members of the community in the morning, upon which security operatives were alerted, and they reportedly arrived at the scene to evacuate the body.
The disturbing discovery attracted concerned residents to the General Hospital, Pankshin, where efforts were made to identify the deceased.
The Punch reports that a local resident, Panshak Rogo, who spoke at the hospital, said the identity of the deceased was yet to be established.
“Presently, we are at the General Hospital. We are here because there is an unidentified individual who was killed around Monday Market.
“The corpse is yet to be identified because some sensitive organs have been removed from the body. His ears and nose were cut off, while his private part has also been tampered with.”
Rogo urged members of the public who had relatives or friends reported missing to contact the police for possible identification of the corpse.
“Please, if you have any report of a missing person, go to the nearest police station. To be precise, Pankshin Police Station is important,” he said.
He appealed to anyone with useful information about the deceased or the circumstances surrounding his death to report to the police.
Efforts to reach the Plateau State Police Command for confirmation and further details were unsuccessful as of press time.
News
NAF Confirms 25 Dead In ATR-42 Crash, Releases Names Of Casualties
The Nigerian Air Force on Tuesday, October 6th, 2026 confirmed that 25 persons died in the crash of its ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, and has released the list of casualties. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
The release corrects the earlier speculated crew members and passengers said to be 32, as victims of the crash.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, in a statement on Saturday, described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Air Force and the nation, and expressed profound condolences to the families of the personnel and passengers.
The aircraft had 25 persons on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, and was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
According to the NAF, search-and-rescue procedures were immediately activated in coordination with relevant authorities, but no survivors were found.
The Air Force assured bereaved families of its full support during this difficult period.
The casualties are:
Crew
- Squadron Leader MI Aburime — Flight Captain
- Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje — Co-pilot
- Flight Lieutenant IS Bako — Co-pilot
- Warrant Officer Abubakar A — Aircraft Technician
- Corporal Uguru HC — Aircraft Technician
Passengers
6. Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus
7. Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye
8. Flying Officer IM Adeshina
9. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F
10. Master Warrant Officer Matini BA
11. Warrant Officer Nuhu FS
12. Flight Sergeant James RB
13. Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI
14. Sergeant Ani AE
15. Sergeant Izibenikien SI
16. Sergeant Alafuka C
17. Sergeant Mbadugha AN
18. Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC
19. Lance Corporal Eledan GE
20. Mrs Ezeh Nneka
21. Godstmine Tarabina
22. Joy Micheal
23. Sunday Micheal
24. Ukeme David
25. Gideon Omotola
Air Marshal Aneke has directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Tuesday, said the NAF will continue to provide timely and verified updates, and urged the public to refrain from speculation and circulation of unverified information while respecting the privacy and dignity of the affected families.
A condolence register has been opened at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force, Abuja, for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers.
News
World Public Relations Forum: Kogi NIPR Chapter Embarks on Road Show for Sensitization
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Ahead of the World Public Relations Forum( WPRF) scheduled for Abuja from November 15-21, 2026, members of Kogi State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations ( NIPR) on Saturday, organised a road show and public advocacy in Lokoja as part of preparations for the event
The Abuja Forum is an international event meant to be attended by Public Relations Practitioners from all over the world.
The Chairman of the Kogi State Chapter of the NIPR, ISmaila Isah who was represented by his Vice Chairman, Tado Asuloto, told journalists that the road show was meant to sensitize the public about the forthcoming forum.
He also explained that the road show was meant to draw members of the public closer to the Institute.
His words” We embarked on the road show to sensitize our members and the public on the forthcoming WPRF.
” The NIPR also engaged in the public advocacy with a view to drawing the institute closer to the public and enlighten the public more about our activities. The WPRF is coming up in Abuja later in the year and the event will be attended Public Relations Practitioners from the world over.”
The road show saw NIPR members in Kogi State including those from the Nigerian Union of Journalists( NUJ), the State Police Command, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Kogi State University, Kabba, Federal University, Lokoja, the Federal Roads Safety Commission( FRSC) , the Red Cross and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps NSCDC , among others, walking from the Ganaja Junction road through the Cenotaph to the Government House where they distributed leaflets on the Abuja event and also engaged the public in discussions.
The participants were also shown the first office of Lord Lugard located within the Government House premises and other historical structures in Lokoja.
The Director of Protocol in the Government House, Sulaiman Ibrahim welcomed the NIPR members on behalf of Governor Ahmed Ododo, assuring them of the Governor’s readiness to assist them always.
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