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AGILE Team Embarks on Widespread Advocacy Campaign towards Project’s Implementation in Kogi

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From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Traditional rulers in Kogi State have pledged their total support towards seamless implementation of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project in the state.

AGILE is a World Bank-supported initiative implemented by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education, which seeks to improve Secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls in 18 participating states, including Kogi State.

The ALGON and the traditional rulers gave the assurance when the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) of AGILE led by its Coordinator, Dr.

Abdulhakeem Bello paid separate advocacy and sensitization visits to them on Monday.

The ALGON Chairman, Hon. Tosin Olokun, who doubles as the Chairman of Yagba West Local Government Area, commended the AGILE team for their commitment to improving educational opportunities for adolescent girls in the state.

He expressed ALGON’s unwavering support for the initiative and assured of the readiness of all 21 local government chairmen to drive awareness and sensitization efforts within their respective communities, towards transforming the lives of adolescent girls in Kogi State.

During the interactive session, the chairmen in their various comments, commended the initiative and pledged to work closely with the AGILE team in executing community-driven sensitization programs.

They acknowledged the challenges faced by adolescent girls, particularly in rural areas, and vowed to use their platforms to advocate for education and gender equality.

Earlier, the State Coordinator of AGILE, Dr. Abdulhakeem Bello., solicited the support of all the local government chairmen for the AGILE project implementation towards girls’ education and empowerment in the state.

Dr. Bello noted that the core objective of AGILE project is aimed to break the cycle of poverty, promote gender equality, and unlock girls’ full potential.

He stressed that it would improve access to quality education for adolescent girls, providing infrastructure for conducive learning environments, and addressing socio-cultural barriers that hinder girls’ education.

Dr. Bello highlighted the critical role of local government authorities in ensuring that the program reaches its target beneficiaries effectively.

The AGILE team also visited the palaces of Obaro of Kabba HRM, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi; the Ohimege Igu of Koton-Karfe, HRM Alh Saidu Akawu Salihu; and the Maigari of Lokoja, Alh Ibrahim Gambo Kabir to seek the support of traditional institution for the project.

Speaking at their various palaces, the AGILE state coordinator emphasized the critical role of traditional institutions in supporting sensitization efforts and community mobilization.

Bello reaffirmed commitment to continuing dialogue with traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders to address emerging challenges and ensure the seamless execution of the AGILE project across Kogi State.

In their various responses, the royal fathers commended the initiative, describing it as a much-needed intervention for Kogi State, and expressed their total support for the project implementation in Kogi.

However, the Obaro of Kabba expressed concerns about the shortage of teachers across the senatorial districts, stressing that the success of the AGILE project hinges on addressing the lack of qualified educators in schools.

Oba Owoniyi urged the government and implementing agencies to ensure that only competent contractors were engaged for the construction and rehabilitation of school facilities.

The royal father warned that substandard work could undermine the project’s long-term impact.

The Obaro promised to use his influence to sensitize communities as well as the full support of Okun traditional council towards the successful implementation of the AGILE project in the state

The team formally appointed the paramount ruler as the Kogi AGILE Ambassador, recognizing his role in championing education and development in the region.

The team also visited the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Camp, to seek the buy-in of the AGILE project from the camp management and serving corps members who will be deployed to government-owned public schools in the state.

It would be recalled that the AGILE team had on Thursday paid an advocacy visit to Kogi State House of Assembly, aimed to strengthen collaboration and seek legislative interventions to promote and sustain adolescent girls’ education in Kogi State.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, promised members’ commitment to legislative backing, policy formulation, and resource allocation to boost girls’ education and empowerment towards ensuring the project’s success in the state.

Yusuf commended AGILE for the initiative and emphasized that investing in girls’ education was key to the state’s socio-economic development.

The advocacy visits to the royal fathers, ALGON, legislators and other stakeholders emphasized the importance of sustained community engagement and proper implementation to eliminate barriers preventing girls from completing secondary education.

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Tinubu Honors Buhari, Renames University of Maiduguri after Late President

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By David Torough, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has approved the renaming of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State as Muhammadu Buhari University.

“May we now adopt the University of Maduguri as the Muhammadu Buhari University,” Tinubu said at the close of a special session of the Federal Executive Council held to honour Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on Thursday.

The President paid a glowing tribute to Buhari, describing him as “a good man, a decent man, an honourable man” whose legacy of discipline, patriotism and moral uprightness would endure for generations.

Tinubu said although the late president was not without flaws, his unwavering commitment to national service set him apart.

“President Buhari was not a perfect man, no leader is, but he was, in every sense of the word, a good man, a decent man, an honourable man.

“His record will be debated, as all legacies are, but the character he brought to public life, the moral force he carried, the incorruptible standard he represented, will not be forgotten.

“His was a life lived in full service to Nigeria, and in fidelity to God,” he said.

Reflecting on Buhari’s time in office and his long military and civil service, Tinubu praised the late leader’s simplicity, humility, and stoic resistance to the trappings of power.

He said, “He stood, always, ramrod straight; unmoved by the temptation of power, unseduced by applause and unafraid of the loneliness that often visits those who do what is right, rather than what is popular.

“His was a quiet courage, a righteousness that never announced itself. His patriotism lived more in action than in words.”

Tinubu also recounted their political alliance, which culminated in the historic 2015 elections that marked Nigeria’s first democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.

“We stood together, he and I. Alongside others drawn from across the political spectrum, regions and tongues, we formed an alliance that enabled Nigeria to experience its first true democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.

“When he was sworn in as our party’s first elected President, he led with restraint, governed with dignity, and bore the burdens of leadership without complaint,” he said.

The President expressed admiration for Buhari’s post-office modesty, noting that he returned to his hometown, Daura, without seeking to wield influence behind the scenes.

“When his tenure ended, he returned to Daura; not to command from the shadows or to hold court, but to live as he always had, never seeking to impose his will but content to let others carry the nation forward.

“Even in death, he maintained the serenity that defined him in life: not a sigh, not a groan, just a quiet submission to the will of God. Such was the man Nigeria has lost. Such was the man for whom our nation now mourns,” he added.

Tinubu thanked the Inter-Ministerial Committee and Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, for organising a befitting state funeral within 48 hours, describing it as a “profound honour” to lead the burial procession in Daura.

He concluded his tribute with a prayer: “Mai Gaskiya, the People’s General, the Farmer President, your duty is done. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. May his life continue to inspire generations of Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness. President Buhari, thank you. Nigeria will remember you.”

Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, at the age of 82.

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C’River First Female NUJ Chairman Describes Tenure as Trial Period

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The first female Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Cross River, Archibong Bassey has said that her first tenure in office was a trial period.

Bassey, who was returned unopposed in council’s election, made the assertion in an interview on Thursday in Calabar.

The Bassey- led executive was first elected on 9th May 2025, to complete the tenure of Nsa Gill, who was then appointed as Chief Press Secretary to Gov.

Bassey Otu.

The chairman, who thanked the members for keeping faith in her and her team, said that she would improve on her achievements while correcting any mistakes she might have made in her first tenure.

She pleaded that any member who she must have offended in the course of her leadership should forgive her as she was not perfect and called for unity among members.

“Let’s leave any form of rancour behind, I need all your support;push me from the back, support me as you can.

‘’Tell me your ideas of moving the council forward and not what someone told you about me; I am asking God for the spirit of humility and love, to enable me lead the council well.’’

Earlier in his goodwill message, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, Cross River’s Commissioner for Information, had commended the union’s unity in electing its new executives.

According to Ekpang, they will continue as a government to give the Cross River Council of NUJ what it needs and all the necessary support to enable it carry out its functions objectively.

“I want to thank you for your unity, it’s better to come unopposed, I believe one day, the Cross River Council will emerge as the best in the nation,” he said.

Other executive members who were returned unopposed are Mr Sunday Inah of the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC) as Vice Chairman, Michael Abang of Business Day as Secretary.

Others are Kingsley Agim of the Cross River Ministry of Information as Assistant Secretary, Mrs Achiane Adams of the Ministry of Information, Treasurer, and Benedine Tete Anam of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Auditor.

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Gov Makinde Confered With Prestigious Chieftaincy Title of Aare Omoluabi of Akure Land by Akure Kingdom

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The Akure Kingdom will today bestow a prestigious chieftaincy title, Aare Omoluabi of Akure Land, meaning President of the Respectable People, upon His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

The conferment ceremony, which will take place in Akure, Ondo State, marks a significant recognition of Governor Makinde’s exemplary leadership, integrity, and contributions to the advancement of Yoruba culture and national development.

The title, one of the highest honors in the Akure Kingdom, celebrates individuals who embody the virtues of respect, dignity, and service to humanity.

Governor Makinde’s conferment reflects his outstanding commitment to good governance, infrastructural development, and fostering unity across Nigeria.

The ceremony will be attended by traditional rulers, dignitaries, and government officials, underscoring the significance of this historic event.

This honor further strengthens the bond between Oyo and Ondo States, fostering mutual respect and cooperation for the progress of the Yoruba nation and Nigeria at large.

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