Event
Ododo Hails Ex-Kogi Governor, Bello @ 50
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended heartfelt felicitations to his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on the occasion of his 50th birthday.
Governor Ododo, in his tribute to the former Governor, described his 50th birthday anniversary as a milestone worthy of honour and reflection in celebration of a man whose journey in leadership has been defined by courage, transformation, and lasting impact on the lives many individuals and communities across Kogi State and Nigeria.
He recalled that Yahaya Bello made history in 2016 as the youngest Governor in Nigeria and the youngest to lead Kogi State, ushering in what has become a model for building a new generation of leadership in Kogi politics.
“Our leader, Governor Yahaya Bello, came as the pathfinder of the future. He built a system where sons and daughters of anybody could aspire for positions of influence; where streets once forgotten became pathways to leadership; I am here today as the Chief Servant of Kogi State and a living testament to that philosophy,” he said.
According to him, Bello’s administration shattered traditional political glass ceilings by offering opportunities to youth and women across wards and local government areas, regardless of status or background.
He restated that the former Kogi State Governor built men and women of value not just with titles, but with purpose and raised individuals from different backgrounds to the corridors of public service and turned loyal followers into shining lights.
Governor Ododo emphasized that Bello’s philosophy of governance was to serve as a bridge for ordinary people to access opportunities, and he ensured that those who served in his administration remained accessible to the people in their new roles at both state and federal levels.
He acknowledged that Bello’s strides in civil service reform, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security laid a foundation that continues to guide the present administration to succeed in the state.
“With over 30% of the state’s annual budget invested in education, two new universities established within four years, safer communities and many lives transformed, the results are there and we are consolidating on them.
“His commitment to promoting women in leadership with 35% affirmative action became a signature of inclusive governance, setting the standard for what we are now doing in Kogi State,” he stated.
Governor Ododo said his emergence as a successor to the former Governor is a testament to Bello’s believe in grooming new generations of leaders, stressing that his legacy is manifest in the performance of the present administration, having built a system that is sustainable and worthy of emulation.
He prayed for God’s continued guidance for the former governor in all his future endeavours as he celebrates the momentous anniversary of his 50th birthday.
Ends.
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- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media, Information and Computer Technology Consultant. A quintessential Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist is based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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Event
All Set for Takete Ide Day 2025 Celebration in Kogi
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
All is now set for the celebration of this year’s Takete Ide Day festival in Mopa/Amuro Local Government Area of Kogi State where Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo will serve as the distinguished special guest of honour. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
The annual cultural festival of the agrarian community in Amuro District of MopAmuro Local Government Area, LGA, Kogi State, has been scheduled for Saturday, 25th October, 2025
The ceremony targets keeping touch with history and is themed love, culture, and development.
The festival includes a N200 Million Fund Raiser where Hon Leke Abejide, a member representing Yagba Federal Constituency in the National Assembly and Dr Habibat Onumoko, the Kogi State Accountant General will serve as chairman and chairperson respectively, while a Lagos based businessman and philanthropist, Prince Olatunji Olusoji is chief launcher.
Similarly, Kogi State Deputy Governotr Joel Salifu Oyibo, his immediate predecessor, Arc. Yomi Awoniyi, Senator Sunday Karimi (kogiwest) and Hon. James Abiodun Faleke (Ikeja Federal Constituency) are Special Guests at the celebration. Every money the festival generates will be ploughed to improve infrastructure and standard of living in the community.
Chairman of the Central Planning Committee and Host, Kingsley Fanwo, who is also Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, said the community is upbeat and set for the event even as the invited guests have all given their words on the attendance.
He described the festival as an event that calls attention to the problems and vast promises of the community, disclosing that it will also feature the unveiling of the “community attire.” He further said the CPC is putting finishing touches to the preparations for hitch free celebrations.
“We celebrate with our friends and supporters having the unity of our people and the development of our fatherland as our focus. We are peaceful, hardworking, and hospitable people, and we will treat our guests to the best of our delicacies and culture. We are convinced that much good can come to our community through effective partnerships both within and outside of it.”
National President of the Takete Ide Progressive Union, TIPU, and Chief Host of the feast, Prince (Bldr) Dare Fiki, expressed satisfaction with the level of its preparations. He said previous celebrations have impacted positively on unity and the growth of the community, assuring that this would not be different.
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Event
Dan Amanar Fune extols Emir of Fune, Appreciates Supporters, Mentors, and Friends
By Abdulrahman Obaje
Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia, the Dan Amanar of Fune Emirate Council, has paid glowing tribute to His Royal Highness, Dr. Idris Saleh Ibn Uthman, Emir of Fune, for his unwavering dedication to the growth, unity, and preservation of tradition in the emirate. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
This is contained in a statement signed by the Director of Communications, Malam Abdulrahman Aliagan and made available to Journalists, “Ajia paid the glowing tribute to the Royal Father at the 25th anniversary of his coronation, at which event Ajia was turbaned as the Dan Amana of Fune Emirate.
“The celebration, which brought together a huge number of royal fathers, political leaders, and friends of the Emirate, was a momentous occasion marked by pageantry and heartfelt appreciation.
“Among the foremost guests in attendance was His Eminence, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanem whose presence further added prestige and historical significance to the event.”
In a passionate address, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia expressed his profound gratitude to His Royal Highness for the honour of bestowing upon him the prestigious traditional title of Dan Amanar Fune, a recognition he described as a life-changing honour and a call he holds with utmost reverence.
“I am deeply humbled to stand here today, not only to celebrate the Emir’s quarter-century of leadership but to publicly thank him for the trust reposed in me with the title of Dan Amanar Fune. It is a symbol of love and trust, and I pledge to continue to uphold the virtues of integrity, service, and loyalty to the Emirate,”
Ajia extended special appreciation to the Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, and members of his cabinet for their relentless support to the traditional institution and their commitment to peace and development in the state.
Ajia also acknowledged the unwavering backing of the Speaker of the Yobe State House of Assembly, Hon. Buba Ciroma Macio and the entire members of Yobe State House of Assembly.
In a moving tribute to the late governor of Yobe state Senator Mamman Ali, Ajia described him as a guiding light who first introduced him to the intricacies of the traditional institution in Yobe.
“The late Senator Mamman Ali was more than a mentor; he was a bridge between tradition and modern governance. His impact on my life and contributions to the Emirate remains indelible.”
He further appreciated Engineer Abubakar Aliyu, former Deputy Governor of Yobe State, for his steadfast support and wise counsel during his years of service, acknowledging the pivotal roles played by such leaders in promoting harmony between government and the traditional institutions.
Ajia paid homage to all traditional leaders across the state and those who traveled from neighboring states such as Borno, Jigawa, Gombe and Bauchi, to honor the Emir and the Emirate. Their solidarity, he noted, speaks volumes about the unity and brotherhood among Nigeria’s royal institutions.
Particularly, Ajia expressed gratitude to Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, whose endorsement and goodwill laid the groundwork for his relationship with the Fune Emirate.
“Distinguished Senator Anyim believed in me and created pathways for my association with the royal court. For this, I remain eternally thankful,” he said.
Concluding his address, Alhaji Ajia offered heartfelt thanks to the Emir of Ilorin, Mai-Martaba, Sheikh (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR who granted approval for his turbaning and for his inspirational and visionary leadership.
The Dan Amanar Fune reserved special appreciation for his friends, family, and well-wishers from across Nigeria and the diaspora. “Your encouragement, prayers, and presence here today remind me that I am not alone. I am forever grateful for your unwavering support.”
The silver jubilee celebration of Emir Dr. Idris Saleh’s reign was not just a festivity but a reaffirmation of the values of service, tradition, and unity.
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Crime
Kogi CP Begs For Intelligent Information, Prayers To tackle Insecurity
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Dantawaye has appealed to the people of the state not to relent in the supply of intelligent information and consistent prayers to curb criminal activities in the state. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
He made the appeal at First Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Lokoja during a Thanksgiving service of Mrs Salami Aderin Eunice, mother of Mr. Segun Salami of Channels TV correspondent in Kogi state who celebrated her 75th years birthday on Sunday June 29th, 2025.
He noted that Kogi state is a difficult state because it is surrounded by 9 states as some of the hoodlums will always like to enter the state and carry out their evil work, but thank God that they have been able to bring the situation under control.
He appeal to the congregation to always offer prayers for them and the state at large and also provide them useful information that can help them curb criminal activities in the state.
His words, “I beg for any kind of intelligence report from you, any information that you get. It could be in your school, your children’s school, it could be even in the church here. It can be in your place of work,’ he said.
Kogi is a very difficult terrain to oversee because of its border to about 10 States including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja
“So, we need your prayer as individual and as a church to us as the security agencies especially the police in policing the state. It is only by God’s divine backing and enablement.
“I want to beg you to always give us reliable information at your disposal that will enable us to expose the criminal among us
“We will continue to do the needful with the available resources and power to ensure that Kogi remained save and secure,”” Dantawaye said
He commended Kogi state government in its effort to fight crime in the state adding that government need the cooperation of the society and individual to fight crime in the state.
He congratulated Mrs. Salami who clocked 75th years.
In his sermon, titled: “Gratitude to God”, Rev Paul Frank, stressed the need for everyone to be grateful to God for his kindness and benevolent towards us as a people.
“For every benefit we received gratitude is demanded of us. An ingrates will never appreciate anything describing an ingrate as a murderer, selfish.
“Your miracle is attached to your worshipped and testimonies. We must deliberately thank God for His grace that has kept you safe in the midst of the rising insecurity in the country especially in Kogi,” Frank said.
Frank urged the people never to take the grace of God for granted.
Frank congratulated the Salami’s family for walking into the Sanctuary to give gratitude to God, describing the gesture as a necessity to honour Jesus in the life of the celebrant
In his remarks, Segun Salami, described his Mom as a wonderful mother and eulogised her kindness, support and for raising her children in the fear of God.
Author Profile

- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media, Information and Computer Technology Consultant. A quintessential Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist is based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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ReligiousJanuary 1, 2026Faith Must Shape Nigeria’s Renewal, Says CSN Secretary General in New Year Message

