From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo has commiserated with the families of the Nigerian Air Force personnel who lost their lives in the tragic aircraft crash in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.

The condolence message signed by Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah, was made available to DAILY ASSET on Tuesday.

Governor Ododo also extended his condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the Nigerian Armed Forces over the painful loss.

The Governor described the incident as a sad moment for the nation, particularly the Nigerian Air Force, whose personnel continue to make sacrifices in combating insecurity on different fronts of military operations across the country and in the service of the nation.

Governor Ododo also commended the Nigerian Air Force, the Ondo State Government, federal and state emergency services and other first responders for their swift response following the incident.

He assured families of the fallen officers of the Nigeria Airforce, President Tinubu and the Nigerian Armed Forces of the solidarity and prayers of the Government and people of Kogi State at this difficult time.

He prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and asked Almighty God to grant their families, colleagues and loved ones the strength and fortitude to bear the loss.

From Ifeanyichukwu Nwannah, Gusau

President Bola Tinubu has approved a high-level Nigerian delegation to Addis Ababa for a leadership exchange and learning visit.

The federal government’s delegation will be led by Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, and will include Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.

The delegation will depart on Tuesday ahead of the Nigeria-Ethiopia leadership exchange, scheduled from 7th to 9th October 2026.

Other State governors on the delegation include AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Alex Otti of Abia State, Sen.

The leadership exchange visit builds on commitments made by the Federal Government during the launch of the Nutrition 774 Initiative (N774) at the 148th National Economic Council meeting to accelerate sub-national action on nutrition.

Ethiopia’s Seqota Declaration has been recognised as a valuable comparative model, given its success in translating national political commitment into coordinated, financed, and accountable nutrition delivery at decentralised levels.

In 2015, the Government of Ethiopia committed to ending stunting in children under 2 years by 2030.

The commitment, known as the Seqota Declaration (SD), is implemented through a multisectoral programme involving nine government ministries, including the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Education, Water, Irrigation and Energy, Women, Children and Youth, Transport, Finance, MOLSA, Culture and Tourism.

The Seqota Declaration has a 15-year roadmap divided into three phases: Innovation, Expansion, and Scale-Up.

The Ekiti State Government said on Tuesday that exposing students to civic education played a vital role in preparing them for leadership roles and active citizenship.

The Commissioner for Education, Dr Olabimpe Aderiye, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to promoting civic awareness and democratic values among young people to raise responsible and informed future leaders.

The commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bayode Ogunmola, spoke in Ado Ekiti during the 11th National Secondary School Quiz Competition on the Legislature and Democracy, organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies.

She hailed NILDS for sustaining the initiative, describing it as an important platform for deepening students’ understanding of democracy, governance and the legislature.

She added, “An informed and civically conscious young population is essential to sustaining peace, orderliness and good governance. The programme aligns with the state government’s commitment to equipping students with not only academic knowledge, but also the values and civic understanding required to contribute meaningfully to society.”

The commissioner urged the participating students to take advantage of the competition to broaden their knowledge of democratic principles and the workings of government.

She encouraged them to remain good ambassadors of their schools and the state, stressing that “exposure to civic education would prepare them for responsible leadership and active citizenship.”

The NILDS Director-General, Prof Abubakar Suleiman, said democracy could only thrive when citizens, particularly young people, understood the roles and responsibilities of democratic institutions.

The DG, represented by Ibrahim Suleiman, said the legislature, as the people’s assembly, required an informed citizenry that understood its powers, functions and limitations.

Suleiman, who described the competition as a deliberate investment in the future of Nigeria’s democracy, said participating students had, over the years, gained knowledge of law-making, representation and the importance of the rule of law.

Six secondary schools — Banji Akintoye Model College, Ado Ekiti; Alamoye Comprehensive High School, Aramoko Ekiti; St Mary’s Grammar School, Ikole Ekiti; St Michael Secondary School, Ifaki Ekiti; Ujilogun High School, Ilupeju-Ijan Ekiti; and Irepodun Community High School, Ikere-Ekiti — participated in the competition.

The schools performed creditably and received cash prizes and other gifts at the end of the competition.