By Igiku Mary

As part of the State Government’s commitment to combating insecurity in the State, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi recently approved the absorption of Personnel of the Kogi State Vigilante Corps into the mainstream of the State Civil Service.

Following the approval, the Executive Chairman, Kogi State Civil Service Commission, Barr. Tanko Muhammed congratulated them for their successful engagement and urged them to remain committed and dedicated to their duties, describing their new position in the society as very important.

The Chairman while addressing the newly absorbed personnel at the Civil Service Commission office, in Lokoja emphasized that their absorption into the Civil Service Sector has further subjected them to the public Service Rules, (PSR) Scheme of Service and Regulation with their names Gazetted which they must strictly adhere to.

He commended the Governor for his determination and commitment towards combating the scourge of insecurity in the state through the initiative.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Civil Service, Hon. Tade Adeyemi who congratulated the Vigilante group for their fortunes also applauded the Governor for resolving the issue of casualization of Vigilante Services in Kogi State, noting that the initiative is first of its kind in the history of Nigeria.

He urged them to reciprocate the gesture by putting in their best towards eradicating insecurity in the State.

The Director General of Kogi state Vigilante Services, Alhaji Ibrahim Omeiza Sani, in his remarks, stressed the need for documentation on individual basis, emphasizing that bringing together all the Vigilante groups across the State will give opportunity for a roll call, thereby eradicating ghost workers in the System.

The DG who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Ibrahim Taiwo gave an overview of Kogi State Vigilante Services, recalling that it’s established based on the Kogi State House of Assemble Law of 2013, but only came into force in 2016 to 2023 during the immediate past administration, with members drawn from different communities across the 21 local Government areas.

Core News recalls that over 2,000 personnel were absorbed into the Public Service Sector, from the Kogi state Vigilante Service this year.

The National Council of State, in a significant development for Nigeria’s electoral landscape, has officially approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The follows the departure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served in the role from 2015 until October 2025.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Professor Amupitan’s nomination to the council, highlighting that he is the first individual from Kogi State in the North-Central region to be nominated for this prestigious position.

The President emphasized Amupitan’s apolitical stance, which he believes will contribute positively to the integrity of the electoral process.

The council members expressed unanimous support for the nomination, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo praising Amupitan as a man of integrity and a suitable candidate for the role.

Given the council’s approval, President Tinubu is expected to forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for the necessary screening process, in compliance with constitutional requirements.

Professor Amupitan, 58, hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria.

A distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau State, and current Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) in the same university.

An alumnus of the University of Jos, Amupitan specializes in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law. He was conferred the title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in September 2014, a recognition akin to the rank of Queen’s Counsel in other jurisdictions.

Born on April 25, 1967, Amupitan attended the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, from 1982 to 1984, before enrolling at the University of Jos, where he obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1987 after completing his primary and secondary education.

He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 and later earned a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Jos in 1993, followed by a PhD in 2007.

Throughout his academic career, which commenced in 1989 after his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation, Amupitan has held several key positions at the University of Jos, including Dean of the Faculty of Law and Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors.

In addition to his academic roles, Amupitan has served on various boards, including Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom and the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council.

He was also a member of the Council of Legal Education from 2008 to 2014 and has contributed to the legal field through numerous publications, including books on corporate governance and evidence law.

Professor Amupitan is married with four children, and his appointment as INEC Chairman is anticipated to bring a wealth of experience and integrity to Nigeria’s electoral management body as the nation prepares for future elections.

The Kogi State Government says it has recorded another milestone in its agricultural revolution with the successful harvest of the first greenhouse-grown cucumber farm at the Federal University, Lokoja.

The project, implemented through the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) initiative, is aimed at boosting food security, encouraging technology transfer for smart farming and empowering women and youths in the State.

Beneficiaries of the program include women farmers from the Felele and Crusher communities as well as staff and students of the institution.

At the maiden harvest, a total of 260 kilograms of cucumber was harvested. The harvest is expected to continue weekly for the next three months before another crop will be planted.

Speaking at the event, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo said the success of the greenhouse project underscores Governor Ododo’s commitment to promoting food security, tackling food inflation, and ensuring sustainable prosperity for the people of Kogi State.

Gov. Ododo, represented by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, noted that women and youths are now at the forefront of Kogi’s agricultural revolution.

“Through ACReSAL, thousands of farmers are being empowered across the State, and Kogi is fast becoming a model of agricultural resilience and productivity.

“We didn’t just go to Lagos to sign the Food For Lagos Partnership just for the television flashes. We are back home to walk our talk and become the noiseless food basket of Nigeria”, he said.

Ododo said the agricultural revolution in Kogi State under his administration was inspired by the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Agriculture, which places emphasis on supporting states to produce what Nigerians eat and eat what Nigerians produce.

“Mr President has empowered the State and has energized the agricultural sector with his policies and support. We are only responding to his support by ensuring farmers benefit directly and also to expand our value chain in the sector as a State. We are grateful to Mr President for sparking a revolution in the nation’s agricultural sector”, he said.

Also present at the occasion were the Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, Engr. Olusegun Joseph, and the State ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Barr. Ladi Ahmed Jatto , OON.

The project is currently being implemented in the three senatorial zones of the State.