DAILYUPDATES

A university don, Prof. Christian Ezeibe, has called on governments at all levels to declare a 'national skills emergency' as a strategic response to Nigeria’s persistent underdevelopment and widespread poverty. Prof. Ezeibe made the call while delivering the convocation lecture at the 5th Combined Convocation Ceremony of Kogi State Polytechnic, Idah. The don, who is the Dean of Student Affairs, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, stressed that Nigeria’s overemphasis on certificates at the expense of practical competence has weakened the country’s productive capacity and stifled sustainable development. Speaking on the theme, “Skills Over Certificates: Repositioning Technical Education for Sustainable Development,” Prof. Ezeibe said Nigeria must urgently invest in skills acquisition if it hopes to compete with developed nations.  “Nigeria has perfected the ritual of schooling but has lost the essence of learning. We have become a nation that worships certificates while n...

Nigeria is today confronted with a double tragedy. While terrorists and bandits continue their mindless massacres of innocent Nigerians—with close to 200 citizens reportedly killed in Kwara State and other parts of the country—the Nigerian Senate has, in equal measure, dealt a heavy blow to the hope of free, fair and credible elections by rejecting the proposal for compulsory real-time transmission of election results. As Nigerians mourn the loss of lives resulting from the glaring failure of government to secure lives and property, the Senate has chosen to deliberately sustain loopholes that guarantee electoral fraud. The rejection of mandatory real-time transmission of election results flies in the face of overwhelming public opinion and the clear recommendations of the committee on electoral reforms, all of which strongly advocated the compulsory upload of results directly from polling units. This action further confirms the growing fear among Nigerians that a National A...

The Nigerian Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, has arrested eight suspected kidnappers, including alleged informants, in Kogi State. The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Saliu Oyiza Afusat, disclosed this in a statement made available to our correspondent on Thursday evening. According to her, operatives of the Kogi State Police Command, working alongside the Nigerian Army, local hunters, and vigilante groups, carried out coordinated bush-combing operations across various parts of the state. ASP Afusat explained that the exercise was part of ongoing, intelligence-driven security measures routinely conducted across different locations in Kogi State to proactively detect, disrupt, and dismantle criminal networks. She said the operation involved extensive combing of identified forested and remote areas believed to be vulnerable to criminal activities. “The exercise involved thorough combing of fores...

The Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Kogi State Branch, ESV John O. Eniwaiye, MNIVS, has congratulated the first set of Fellows of the Institution from the Kogi State Branch on their successful induction into the prestigious Fellowship cadre. ESV Eniwaiye, who spoke on behalf of the Executive Committee and the entire membership of the Branch, described the induction as a landmark achievement not only for the recipients but also for the growth and recognition of the profession in Kogi State. The newly inducted Fellows are ESV Ekundayo Ayodele FNIVS - the pioneer Chairman of the Kogi State Branch, and ESV Zainab Obadaki, FNIVS - Permanent Secretary Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. In a congratulatory message made available to journalists, the Branch Chairman described their elevation as a well-deserved and lifetime recognition of their dedication, professionalism, and outstanding contributions to the noble profession of E...

No fewer than 79 students of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, have graduated with distinctions across various academic programmes. The Rector of the institution, Professor Salisu Ogbo, disclosed this during a press briefing held to mark the Polytechnic’s 5th Combined Convocation Ceremony. Providing a breakdown of the graduating students, Prof. Ogbo said a total of 2,965 students would be conferred with diplomas, comprising 1,711 National Diploma (ND) graduands and 1,254 Higher National Diploma (HND) graduands. According to him, 41 students earned distinctions at the National Diploma level, while 38 students graduated with distinctions at the Higher National Diploma level from different schools and departments of the institution. “It is noteworthy that we have a healthy distribution of distinctions, upper credit, lower credit, and pass grades across programmes. This underscores improved academic discipline, integrity in examinations, and enhanced teaching and learning outcome...

The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, psc, mni, has paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty, Dr. Alhaji Matthew Opaluwa Oguche, CFR, the Attah of Igala and Chairman, Kogi State Council of Traditional Rulers, at his palace in Idah. The visit aimed to strengthen the collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and traditional institutions to maintain peace, security, and public order across Igala land and Kogi State. During the visit, CP Kankarofi emphasized the critical role of traditional rulers in community policing, intelligence gathering, and conflict resolution. He assured His Royal Majesty of the Command's commitment to working with traditional authorities to curb crime and ensure safety. His Royal Majesty commended the Commissioner of Police and officers for their dedication and proactive approach to security, noting a reduction in crime rates since CP Kankarofi assumed office. The Attah pledged traditional rulers' sup...