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 Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) has reached another remarkable milestone with the completion of 273.33 kilometers of rural roads across participating states in Nigeria — a major stride toward improving rural connectivity, enhancing agricultural productivity, and boosting economic opportunities for farming communities.

This landmark achievement was disclosed by the National Coordinator of RAAMP, Engr. Aminu Mohammed Bodinga, during the 9th Implementation Support Mission, held at the Golfview Suites and Conference Center, Lagos.

The mission brought together representatives of the World Bank, French Development Agency (AFD), and State Project Implementation Units (SPIUs) to assess progress, share experiences, and realign strategies for greater impact.

Engr. Bodinga noted that the 273km milestone reflects the project’s steady advancement across the 19 participating states, describing it as “a demonstration of commitment to transforming Nigeria’s rural landscape.”

He emphasized that RAAMP is not only delivering roads but also “building prosperity, connecting communities, and reducing post-harvest losses” by linking farmers to markets and enabling the seamless movement of goods and services.

He further revealed that 18 states have successfully enacted their Road Sector Reform Bills, institutionalizing sustainable road management systems.

Out of these, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Ekiti, and Sokoto States have gone a step further by fully operationalizing their reforms through the establishment of Directorates, Governing Boards, and dedicated maintenance budgets.

In his remarks, the World Bank Task Team Leader (TTL), Mr. Rakesh Tripathi, highlighted the importance of these reforms, stressing that the sustainability of RAAMP depends on the institutional strength of participating states.

He cautioned that states unable to meet the reform benchmarks may be ineligible for the forthcoming project scale-up phase.

“RAAMP is a generational investment,” Tripathi said. “Its full impact may not be immediate, but if properly implemented, it will reshape Nigeria’s rural economy for decades. Transparency, accountability, and institutional readiness are key to sustaining the gains.”

Tripathi also reiterated the need for states to comply strictly with Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) provisions before the commencement of any civil works.

According to him, donor institutions place a high premium on social safeguard compliance, adding that compensation of affected persons must precede project execution to maintain credibility and alignment with global standards.

Also contributing, representatives of the International Labour Organization (ILO) reaffirmed their partnership with RAAMP through labour-based, community-driven approaches that not only create employment but also empower local communities with technical skills.

The ILO’s collaboration focuses on capacity building, employment promotion, social safeguards, and policy support — ensuring that RAAMP’s infrastructure gains translate into decent work, inclusion, and human development in rural Nigeria.

One of the high points of the mission was the review of implementation progress in participating states, among which Kogi State drew commendation for its proactive engagement and tangible progress.

During the session, Engr. Sheidu Obansa Adamu, the State Project Coordinator of Kogi RAAMP, delivered an extensive presentation detailing the state’s milestones, challenges, and forward-looking strategies.

His report highlighted the activities of several road segments and ongoing works designed to open up agricultural production belts.

The presentation received commendation from the mission’s technical experts and donor representatives, as well as participants who lauded Kogi’s clarity of vision and adherence to project standards.

Earlier in September, ahead of the Lagos session, a joint Agro-Logistics Centres (ALCs) assessment mission visited Kogi State as part of preparations for the 9th Mission.

The visit, which focused on the Aku Market site in Kogi Central, was aimed at evaluating the progress of rural market infrastructure designed to complement RAAMP’s road investments.

The team made several recommendations to enhance design quality and ensure that the facility meets its objective of reducing post-harvest losses and improving rural trade efficiency.

Receiving the mission in Lokoja, the Kogi State Commissioner for Rural and Energy Development, Engr. Abdulmutalib Mohammed, reaffirmed the Ododo-led administration’s unwavering commitment to the success of RAAMP in the state.

He commended the World Bank, AFD, and the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) for their consistent guidance and technical support, assuring that the Kogi State Government remains steadfast in implementing the project within approved frameworks and safeguard policies.

“RAAMP has become a model for sustainable rural transformation,” Engr. Mohammed said. “Under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, Kogi State is committed to ensuring that every kilometer of road and every market structure built under this project adds value to the lives of our rural dwellers. This administration will continue to support every effort that brings meaningful and lasting development to our communities.”

The Commissioner also expressed confidence in the State Project Coordinator and his team for their professionalism and field-level coordination, which have earned the state commendations from partners and stakeholders alike.

The 9th Implementation Support Mission featured technical breakout sessions, progress evaluations, and strategy reviews involving Commissioners supervising RAAMP, Permanent Secretaries serving as SPMC Chairmen, Director Generals of State Rural Access and Road Agencies (RARA), and State Road Funds (SRF).

As the mission drew to a close, participants reaffirmed their collective resolve to deepen collaboration, strengthen reforms, and accelerate implementation toward achieving RAAMP’s objectives.