By Musa Solomon

Public and Private Schools operating in Kogi State have been directed to resume on Monday 15th of September, 2025 for the 2025/2026 academic calendar.

According to a statement signed by the Director of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Mathew Salami for the Commissioner of Education, boarding Students are to resume on Sunday 14th of September, 2025.

The statement also advised school administrators in the State to collect their curriculum from the State Ministry of Education.

In a related development, the State  Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones has commended proprietors of schools in the state for their roles in shaping the education sector.

Jones commended the Proprietors for their contributions to the growth and development of the State Education Sector.

He gave the commendation on Wednesday at the Stakeholders meeting with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and Association of Model Islamic Schools (AMIS) in Lokoja.

The commissioner said the State recognized their contributions to the development of education and will ensure a conducive environment  for their operations.

He promised to assist in addressing the issues of multiple taxation and other challenges raised by the Associations.

For effective coordination and Communication, the Commissioner advised all private schools operating in the State to register with NAPPS or AMIS.

The commissioner who reiterated the State Government positions on the customized textbooks, notebooks and graduation ceremonies said the new policies will sanitize the school system and restore the core values of education at the primary and secondary school levels.

On the customized textbooks and notebooks, the commissioner said that customized textbooks and notebooks would no longer be allowed in the school system, adding that in a situation where the textbooks or notebooks are customized, it must be sold at the prevailing market price and parents are not under any obligation to buy from the schools.

Hon Jones noted that textbooks should be transferrable to younger siblings, explaining that parents should be made to provide separate notebooks for their children’s class work or homework rather than using textbooks as workbooks.

He informed the private schools of the introduction of the new school curriculum and promised to engage them on the implementation of the policy.

The Commissioner also reiterated the State Government Commitment to the implementation of the State Education Law, 2020 and advised them to get a copy of the law and familiarize themselves with every clause as ignorant of the law according to him will not be an excuse.

Addressing the meeting, Director Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Mathew Salami commended private schools for their contributions to the development of education in the State and called for good working relationship with the Ministry for seamless implementation of the New Policies.

Also speaking, State Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Pastor Reuben Jimoh commended the commissioner for his leadership quality and promised the cooperation of Private Schools to the implementation of the New Policies.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi on Tuesday reassured the people of Oboroke, Okehi Local Government Area of the State Government’s commitment to ensuring the quick completion of the ongoing remodeling of the Government Technical College Oboroke to boost the study of technical and vocational education in the State.

The State Commissioner for Education Mr. Wemi Jones made this known while inspecting the project, noting that
the Project which has reached 90% completion is one of the four technical colleges being constructed and remodeled by the Kogi State Government.

The Commissioner reaffirmed that all technical colleges in the state would be remodeled in line with the Federal Government’s Policy to ensure that students acquire entrepreneurial skills for self sustainance.

He charged the contractor to ensure quick completion of the project in line with the contract specifications.

Conducting the commissioner round the project site, Engineer Mohammed Ibrahim promised that the project would be completed in due time and in accordance with the work plan and contract specifications.

He expressed gratitude to the State government for the trust and confidence in the company to deliver quality and enduring projects at all times.

The Kogi State Government through the State Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project has flagged off a five-day capacity Training tagged ‘Training of Trainers’ (ToT), on Safe Spaces Manual to equip young girls in the state.

The State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Wemi Jones, while performing the flag-off in Lokoja on Monday stated that the State Government will continue to prioritize and promote quality education for adolescent girls in the state.

Mr. Jones emphasised that the state government will remain committed to equipping adolescent girls with the necessary tools to thrive beyond academics, stressing that the initiative would go a long way in shaping the future of the girl-child in Kogi State.

The event, which held at the AGILE Project Office in Lokoja, attracted stakeholders, facilitators, and development partners committed to improving the wellbeing and confidence of young girls in the state.

Jones explained that the Training of Trainers (ToT) programme is designed to equip participants with psychosocial support strategies and essential life skills needed for the personal development of adolescent girls.

He acknowledged that the Safe Spaces Manual would serve as a vital tool in shaping the minds and futures of adolescent girls, adding that the present administration remains dedicated to laying strong foundations for educational and moral excellence.

He lauded the leadership of the newly appointed State Project Coordinator, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Oricha, for hitting the ground running, and also praised the implementing partners, New Initiative for Social Development (NISD), World Bank and NPCU, for its professionalism and contribution to the project’s implementation.

“This training marks a turning point for our education system. We are not merely building schools, but nurturing minds and moulding futures,” he stated.

The Commissioner commended the newly appointed State Project Coordinator, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Oricha, for his proactive leadership and prompt commencement of key activities under the AGILE Project.

Earlier, the Project Coordinator, Kogi AGILE, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Oricha described the Safe Spaces Manual as a life changing resource designed to help adolescent girls develop confidence, resilience, and leadership qualities.

According to him, the training had become imperative and critical not just to equip facilitators with knowledge but to empower them to serve as mentors and role models for the girls.

“We are training individuals who will inspire, guide, and uplift. These girls need safe spaces and mentors, and that is exactly what this initiative seeks to provide,” he said.

He thanked the World Bank and the National Project Coordination Unit (NPCU) for their continued partnership and called on trainers to approach their role with seriousness and compassion.

In the same vein, Mr. Abraham Sunday, Component Lead representing the World Bank and NPCU, applauded the Kogi AGILE team for demonstrating strong ownership and commitment emphasizing the importance of sticking to the content of the Safe Spaces Manual and maintaining professionalism during the cascade training.

“This initiative provides safe and supportive spaces for adolescent girls to express themselves, build life skills, and thrive emotionally and socially,” he said.

He added that the training would cover areas such as emotional intelligence, mentorship, communication, teamwork, and ethical engagement with adolescent girls.

The training, which is under the Life Skills Component of AGILE, is part of efforts to reduce barriers to education and improve learning outcomes for girls across the state.