From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

In a significant stride toward achieving universal health coverage, the Kogi State Government has revealed that 220,495 citizens are now enrolled under its Health Insurance Scheme, a landmark achievement aimed at making healthcare more accessible and affordable across the state.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, who said the scheme, driven by the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency (KGSHIA) under the leadership of Dr. Kunle Aledare, reflects the Ododo Administration’s unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of the people.According to Fanwo, the administration has expanded the frontiers of the health insurance initiative by enrolling not only members of the public but also civil servants and their dependents, thereby reducing the financial burden of healthcare on families.“Kogi is currently ranked 14th nationwide in terms of the number of people enrolled in a state-managed health insurance scheme,” he stated, adding that the government is intensifying awareness campaigns to draw more residents, particularly those in the informal sector, into the insurance net.In a call to action, the Commissioner urged corporate organizations and well-meaning individuals to leverage the scheme by sponsoring the less privileged, emphasizing that improved healthcare access is a collective responsibility.“The health insurance scheme is inclusive and pro-poor,” Fanwo said. “Students in tertiary institutions can access a full year of healthcare for as low as ₦2,000, while children under five, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups enjoy completely free coverage under the government’s BelloCare initiative.”He added that the Ododo-led administration is determined to leave no one behind in its push to improve healthcare across Kogi State. “We are building a system where no Kogite is denied quality healthcare due to financial constraints. This is the essence of the Governor’s people-first approach to governance.”Fanwo encouraged families to enroll their loved ones, stressing that the initiative is not just a policy but a life-saving intervention that aligns with Governor Ododo’s broader vision of a healthier and more productive population.As the state consolidates its achievements in the health sector, the Commissioner reaffirmed that the government will continue to work toward expanding coverage, improving service delivery, and ensuring that every Kogi citizen has access to quality medical care, regardless of social or economic status.“One of the areas we are shining in the health sector is the area of Health Insurance. The Kogi State Health Insurance Agency is one of the most effective and efficient in Nigeria today. It is an area that aligns with the social security and health security of the Ododo Administration. It was started by the immediate past administration of former Governor Yahaya Bello. And now, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has widened the coverage to accommodate more Kogites.“With all of the Primary Healthcare Centres that we remodeling and reconstructing and equipping, it can only get better. The Governor is fulfilling his promise to the good people of the state”, he said.

By Francis Sadhere, Delta

A prominent civil society group has called on the Delta State Government to address outstanding land compensation issues fairly and transparently in order to maintain peace and public trust.Engr. Igbini Odafe Emmanuel, National President of the Vanguard for Transparent Leadership and Democracy (VATLAD), made the appeal during a press conference in Warri.

He specifically urged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to look into the claims of Prince Collins Eselemo and his family, who have demanded full compensation for land acquired by the government over a decade ago. Engr. Igbini, a former Director General of the Direct Labour Agency (DLA), clarified that the controversial statement allegedly made by Prince Eselemo—referring to the governor as a land grabber—was not intended as a personal attack.He explained that the land dispute predated Governor Oborevwori’s tenure and began during the administration of former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.“The governor should not be linked to this matter personally,” Igbini stated. “Prince Eselemo’s frustration stems from a long-standing grievance. The statement should be seen in that light, not as a direct insult.”The disputed land, measuring about 33.42 hectares, was legally owned by Eselemo Transport Ltd., which holds a Certificate of Occupancy issued by the defunct Bendel State Government in 1979. In October 2009, the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) reportedly encroached on part of the land and built a block of classrooms.Prince Eselemo initially demanded N200 million in compensation. To resolve the issue, the Ministry of Lands, Survey, and Urban Development—under then Commissioner Hon. Raymos Guana—acknowledged the encroachment and paid N75 million. However, the Eselemo family insists that DESOPADEC encroached on two hectares rather than two acres and is still owed N125 million.Engr. Igbini believes that addressing the matter now will help prevent unnecessary political tension.He also urged Governor Oborevwori to consider the case of Dr. Prosper Orezimena, who has been seeking land to establish a specialized healthcare facility in the Warri area.“The government should either allocate alternative land or pay appropriate compensation to the concerned parties,” he said. “These matters, if resolved with fairness and compassion, will foster unity and development in Delta State.”Engr. Igbini emphasized that his intervention is driven by a desire to see Delta State remain peaceful and just, adding, “We must ensure that aggrieved citizens feel heard and treated fairly by their government.”

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Non-Governmental Organizations and other Humanitarian Groups on Tuesday, stormed the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Mega Camp in Mbayongu, Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State and donated educational materials including mobile school van to children of internally displaced personsHumanitarian organizations including K2U Games Limited, Smile Doctor Foundation, Offshore Lab, and their partners, carried out the gesture to mark the 2025 Children’s Day.

The event, filled with fun activities and educational support, was aimed at uplifting the spirits of displaced children and emphasizing their right to a hopeful future.Mr. Martins Oloye, co-founder of K2U Games Limited, producers of African games and K2 African Offshore puzzles, explained that the team returned to the camp after an earlier visit where they conducted a puzzle competition.The goal, he said, was to expose the children to Africa’s rich heritage and provide tools that would inspire intellectual and personal growth.“We noticed the children needed a few things,” Oloye said. “We reached out to our partners, including the Oando Foundation, and were able to establish a small library stocked with books. This isn’t just about fun. It’s about letting the children know they matter. They are not statistics or numbers. We want them to glimpse the world beyond this camp and believe in their potential.”He emphasized that the group’s efforts went beyond donating materials. “We brought thousands of notebooks, textbooks, and exercise books, but what matters most is the change in mindset. We want a child from this camp to say one day, ‘I passed through this library and became a doctor, a lawyer, an artist.”In line with this mission, Emeka Obiwulu, CEO of Offshore Lab, introduced an innovative education solution known as Schoolbox.He described it as a rapid-response infrastructure system designed to combat the growing crisis of out-of-school children in Nigeria.“With over 10.5 million children out of school, we are facing a national emergency,” Obiwulu stated. “Schoolbox uses recycled shipping containers to quickly set up classrooms, ICT labs, and sanitation facilities in areas where education has been disrupted. Within 7 to 14 days, we can equip any local government area with functional educational spaces.” He thanked the Benue State government and other partners, including K2U and NNPC Limited, for supporting the pilot deployment at the camp.“The classroom here seats only 22 but serves over 1,000 children. It clearly isn’t enough. We’re hoping to scale this solution across all IDP camps and underserved areas in Nigeria.”

Also contributing to the event was Dr. Olufemilayo Adeniyi, Executive Director of Smile Doctor Foundation and founder of Luxe Dental Clinic, Lagos. She led an oral health outreach, distributing over 500 dental kits and teaching children how to maintain hygiene. “As a foundation, we believe everyone deserves access to oral care,” she said. “It has been humbling to see over 3,000 families in this camp, in a country not at war. We must all rise to stop the root causes of this displacement. We are doing our bit, but this is just a drop in the ocean.”Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mr. Aondowase Kunde, disclosed that IDPs were already returning home despite rising insecurity, stressing that there is ongoing reintegration efforts including the construction of boreholes in communities like Tatyough and the development of large-scale rice and maize farming for IDPs.“Return, resettlement, and reintegration are the three pillars of our durable solution strategy,” Kunde said. “We are not resettling them in clusters but in structured communities where they’ll have access to social amenities and livelihoods.”When asked if these efforts would be sustained amid recurring attacks, the commissioner said some communities remain secure and viable for return, adding that not all areas are under threat.On his part, the Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Dr. Frederick Ikyaan, said Governor Alia is committed to education, even within the camps.He highlighted the use of the Accelerated Basic Education Program, a federal initiative that offers learning in informal settings.“It’s a stopgap that ensures our displaced children are not left behind,” Ikyaan said. “They’ll be able to reintegrate into the regular school system once they return home. It’s already shown promise in other regions.”However, when pressed for data on how many schools had been shut down due to insecurity, Ikyaan declined to provide a specific figure. “The situation is fluid, and the numbers change rapidly. But we know that several local governments including Gwer West, Guma, Kwande, and Agatu have been badly affected,” he noted. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr. James Iorpuu, represented by Mr. Donald Komgbenda, assured the IDPs of continued support. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to their welfare and safe return to ancestral lands.Highlights of the celebration included cultural dances, March past puzzle game and other activities.The event brought smiles, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose to hundreds of children, reminding all stakeholders that in the face of crisis, compassion and collaboration remain powerful tools for transformation.