Prince Abubakar University Teaching Hospital Anyigba currently under construction by the administration of His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State. *** Governor Yahaya Bello at work on the age-old erosion ravaged section of the road from Anyigba to the headquarters of Dekina LG and to the neighboring Bassa LG.*** Ultra-modern General Hospital, Under Construction At Isanlu-Yagba East LGA-Kogi State. Similar projects ongoing simultaneously in two (2) other locations in the state, ie, Gegu in Kogi LGA and Eganyi in Ajaokuta LGA*** The World Bank commended Governor Yahaya Bello for refunding $4.63 million surplus funds under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP)***  This app, is an Audio/visual excursion into the stewardship of His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello*** 

Education

Ododo For Kogi Governor: The Case For Continuity, Consolidation In Education Sector

On November 11, 2023, Kogi State faces a pivotal decision as its citizens head to the polls to elect their next governor. Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the flag-bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is vying for the position with a vision of Continuity and Consolidation.

The question then is whether the incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello’s achievements make Continuity and Consolidation in the best interests of Kogi’s people.

In other words, when we set aside politics, tribes, and religions, and focus solely on governance and leadership, what compelling case exists after 8 years of Governor Yahaya Bello’s New Direction Administration for voters in the Confluence State to elect Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo, his preferred successor?

What dividends of democracy can we point to that Kogi voters should protect with their votes? What can the APC show after 8 years to justify an electoral transition from the GYB years to the OAU years?

We will answer these questions firmly but objectively in the affirmative in a series of publications which will highlight the achievements of the Yahaya Bello administration in the core thematic areas that she set for herself. These are: Education, Healthcare, Infrastructure and Utilities, Security, Public Service and Pension Reforms, Agriculture, Human Capital Development, Youth Empowerment, Gender Equity, and Child Rights, with Agriculture, Cooperation, and Integration concluding the series.

EDUCATION

Before 2016, all levels of the educational sector in Kogi State were plagued by decaying infrastructure, non-payment of salaries, labour strikes, a shortage of academic staff, and poorly structured curricula, among other obstacles to quality and affordable education in the state.

In just over the last 8 years, the New Direction Administration of Governor Yahaya Bello has completely transformed the education landscape in Kogi State for the better, and the sector is today a far cry from the widespread dilapidations that prevailed when Governor Bello took office in 2016.
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At the primary school level, the administration has constructed or reconstructed 1,767 classroom blocks across the state along with other infrastructure.

These blocks are usually painted blue and white to distinguish them from the green and white structures built in counterpart funding with the federal government. Many schools in urban/semi-urban areas with internet access have also been equipped with ICT facilities in addition to an adequate supply of learning materials and aids.

When the Yahaya Bello administration took Office in Kogi State, she inherited billions of naira in unpaid counterpart funding to the Universal Basic Education Commission, a situation which denied the state access to much of the support which states receive from the federal government for basic education.

The new government quickly settled these debts and prioritized payment of all counterpart funding obligations, thus unlocking untold benefits for the state. No wonder the UBEC has consistently rated Kogi State as a top performer amongst the 36 states and the FCT in basic education funding.

The secondary schools in Kogi State have also enjoyed their fair share of attention from Yahaya Bello. They too have witnessed significant infrastructural enhancements across the three senatorial districts of the state. Modern classrooms, laboratories, ICT centres, and hostel facilities have been provided in many more schools. Notably, the administration’s efforts include the construction of GYB Model Science Schools in Adankolo, Ihima, and Kabba-Bunu.

The total upgrade given to Government Secondary School, Ogugu led to her adoption by the federal government and redesignation as the Federal Science Technical College, Ogugu, one of the nation’s 104 unity colleges. Hostel facilities were also expanded such as the 50-bed capacity hostels at Government Girls’ Secondary, Obangede.

Beyond physical infrastructure, the administration has significantly improved the quality and quantity of learning materials, teaching resources, and human capital for primary and secondary schools in the state.

Governor Yahaya Bello introduced free and compulsory education for all children from kindergarten to secondary school, removing the burden of early and intermediate childhood education from caregivers.

This has resulted in Kogi State having the fewest number of out-of-school children among the 19 northern states. This is surely a legacy that the people of Kogi State would want to protect with their votes.

The case for Continuity and Consolidation in the tertiary education space is even more compelling. Governor Yahaya Bello has also taken giant strides in the tertiary education space in Kogi State with the flagship achievements being the establishment of 2 new state universities from scratch.

The Confluence University of Science and Technology at Osara is focused on the STEM disciplines while the new Kogi State University (KSU), Kabba is a regular university founded to cater for both the sciences and the humanities.
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These duo of tertiary institutions have widened available university education options for the children of Kogi State by at least 50%. Governor Bello explained that his motivation for setting them up came from the administration’s findings that even with impressive scores in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), Kogi State indigenes were still disadvantaged in the admissions processes due to cutthroat competition for limited spaces and unfavourable catchment considerations. With particular reference to CUSTECH, the Governor said:

‘My Administration was greatly disturbed by the painful experiences of hundreds of Kogi youngsters who were unable to pursue careers in Science and Technology due to very limited openings in universities outside Kogi State.

Over the years, access to such programmes as Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, Architecture, Engineering and others in this category kept dwindling for Kogi secondary school leavers…we decided to take action by establishing a specialized university of our own, dedicated to science and technology.’

CUSTECH will be convoking her first batch of graduates in about a year while Governor Bello has promised that KSUK which received regulatory approval only this year to commence will be matriculating her first batch within the same time frame. A promise that Ododo has reechoed in his manifesto and campaigns. This is an unprecedented feat and one struggles to find any other state in the country which has set up two universities under a single administration.

The Yahaya Bello administration has also been feverishly engaged in improving both the academic and non-academic facilities of every other tertiary institution in Kogi State. At the premier university in Kogi State, the Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), formerly Kogi State University, Anyigba, infrastructural, curricular, and manpower needs have been met.

Not only that, but the school, which used to have a vicious campus cult problem that claimed the lives of many students over the years, is now one of the most peaceful in the Federation. The Bello administration has decisively quelled the miscreants and established comprehensive security on campus and environs.

Also, the school is expected to receive accreditation soon from the National Universities Commission and the professional regulators in the medical field for her College of Medicine to commence. Again, it was Yahaya Bello to the rescue. His administration has built and equipped a world-class teaching hospital for PAAU at Anyigba, thus meeting the regulatory prerequisite that held her back for nearly two decades.

It is also important to note that the teaching hospital facilities are also a grand boon to overall healthcare in the university town, and indeed the entire Kogi East Senatorial District.

Additionally, through the direct intervention of the Yahaya Bello administration, the school has also enjoyed uninterrupted academic calendars since 2017, apart from a short break during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is practically the only public university in Nigeria where students have graduated on schedule in the last 6 years.

This is a legacy that Alhaji Ododo has unequivocally undertaken to sustain, while some of his opponents in this election are willing to do anything to get elected, including striking deals inimical to the non-aligned status of the university in matters of unionism and industrial actions. Voters must choose carefully.

The Kogi State Polytechnic (KSP), Lokoja, lies on the ever-busy Abuja-Lokoja-Benin Highway. It used to be nondescript, little more than a glorified secondary school to which no one paid any attention. Under the eagle’s eyes and with the generous support of Governor Yahaya Bello, it has transformed into a real centre of academic excellence.

It now boasts vastly improved infrastructure and highly expanded instructional capabilities. In June 2022, it received a historic 100% accreditation for all courses offered from all regulatory and professional bodies concerned, having met all requirements.

In February 2023, the school, which used to be shunned by students and their parents, matriculated a huge crowd of 6,387 students for her National Diploma and Higher National Diploma courses.
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The Governor used the occasion to reiterate his commitment to making Kogi State a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education hub in Nigeria. Today, the enhanced attraction of KSP to new students and the 100% accreditation for all courses that it has attained represent definitive progress, which can only be sustained if the next Governor inherits Bello’s passion and vision for the institution. This is another reason why the NDBT concludes that Ododo is the man.

The Yahaya Bello administration has also done great work with the state’s four existing technical colleges at Idah, Ihima, Mopa, and Ankpa, with extensive construction and renovation works still ongoing at the first two. The Kogi State Colleges of Education at Ankpa and Kabba also enjoyed huge attention from this progressive administration.

Both have secured 100% accreditation for all courses offered for the first time in their history, like all the other tertiary institutions in the State. Again, the magic happened after the administration provided the infrastructural and instructional facilities demanded by the respective regulators.

The School of Health Sciences and Technology, Idah also shares the same testimony of Bello Transformation. The school gained 100% accreditation for all courses offered under this administration, after over 40 years of existence, and both infrastructure and equipment have seen major upgrades.

This is also the case at the Kogi State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Obangede, which, in addition to the 100% accreditation feat it attained under Yahaya Bello, was in April this year approved to offer HND training and certification in nursing to students. The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) approved the HND program to begin this year, convinced that the school has been given the infrastructural and instructional resources to do so excellently.

This administration has massively recruited instructors into her school systems at all levels and ensures that payment of teachers’ salaries is regular, and strong efforts to increase the amounts have been made severally. It also provides essential training and continuing learning for educators as crucial aspects of educational development in the state. Kogi State has also routinely dedicated 20 to 30 per cent of its annual budget to education, although there are financial constraints to full performance.

An Education Law made in 2020 codifies some of these reforms, but most will have to be sustained by a successor who truly believes long-term in what Yahaya Bello is trying to achieve in the education sector, hence Ododo.

Governor Yahaya Bello’s legacies in the education sector are truly monumental. He has made a significant impact on Kogi State’s education sector during his two terms in office, touching every level of education.

His successor must be one who will continue and consolidate his achievements. Ododo’s clear and ambitious vision for Kogi State’s educational landscape, as outlined in his manifesto, focuses on improving teaching and learning quality, expanding educational access, and reducing the number of out-of-school children. Importantly, he is committed to continuing and consolidating the legacies, including the policy of free and compulsory basic and secondary education introduced by Governor Bello.

In addition, Ododo’s leadership qualities and his deep involvement in Governor Bello’s New Direction Blueprint make him a highly qualified candidate for the role of Kogi State Governor. His unique position as the sole candidate in the race who can ensure the Continuity and Consolidation of the state’s progress sets him apart from the competition. In contrast, other candidates have yet to present clear manifestos or governance directions, with only a few days left to the elections.

It is now the collective responsibility of voters to ensure that his legacy lives on through Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo. As a voter in Kogi State, you have the power to shape the future of this state. It is not just about choosing a leader; it is about choosing the right leader who can build upon the progress that has been made.

Your vote can either secure the gains that have been made in education and other vital sectors, or risk disruption by choosing untested alternatives. This is why you should vote for Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo and Mr. Joel Oyibo Salifu for Continuity and Consolidation on November 11, 2023.

The New Direction Blueprint Team is a multidisciplinary Policy, Research, and Strategy think-tank. It developed the New Direction Blueprint for Governor Yahaya Bello in 2016 and has monitored its implementation throughout his two terms. Led by the lead contributor, Moses Okezie-Okafor who is the Director-General of Research and Development in Kogi State, the NDBT believes that Continuity and Consolidation with Candidate Ododo will serve the people of Kogi State best at this time.
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Students, teachers express excitement, gratitude as Kogi govt. pays WAEC, other exam fees

Free Education: Students, teachers express excitement, gratitude as Kogi govt. pays WAEC, other exam fees

…we are only implementing state’s 2021 – 2030 education sector plan, education Commissioner affirms.
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Students across Public Schools in Kogi have continued to show excitement and express gratitude to the Kogi State Government following the recent announcement of the free education from Primary 1 – Senior Secondary School 3. This pledge has however been met with immediate fulfilment as the government on Monday confirmed the payment of the West Africa Examination Council fee for about 15, 033 students in public secondary school in across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.

Speaking during a routine inspection to the GYB Model Science School in Adankolo, the State’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Wemi Jones said the fund totalling, N497, 592, 300.00 also include settlement of other internal and external examination for the student by the New Direction Government.
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The Commissioner said ‘’Earlier in the year, the Kogi State Government under the leadership of Alhaji Yahaya Bello pronounced free education for students, from primary 1 – Senior Secondary School three. An integral part of this policy is the payment of Internal and external exams for students by the state government’’.

‘’Government has just fulfilled the payment of WAEC fee for about 15, 033 students in public secondary school in Kogi state, The State Government approved and has released that fund to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for onward settlement for the registration of the students’’ Mr. Wemi added.
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Clarifying on the intention of the government, he said the Ministry, under The Kogi state government created an Eduction Sector plan which its implementation spans from 2021 – 2030 adding that this plan serves as blueprint for the education sector in the state as it details plans, policies and programs and the Ministry was only working according to this template in the good interest of delivering maximally in the sector. This is the stage where intend to implement in this plan, he added.
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He hinted that Governor Bello places premium importance on the education sector as his antecedents justify such claim and will not mix politics with education

The Commissioner stressed that every student of the public schools will benefit from the government’s policy as the state government in preparation for this implementation earlier captured every students across all the local government assuring that government plans to continue the policy in the next administration.
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He however charged the students to study hard and ensure they passed all their exams with flying colours to justify governments investment in their education.

A teacher and the Vice Principal Administration of GYB Model Science Secondary School Adankolo, Mrs. Ladi Hamidi, pointed out the that payment of WAEC and other examination fee has often being a burden on the parent.
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She added that the burden which has now been lifted by the state government under Governor Bello’s leadership would help parents put in more efforts to ensure that all other supports their wards needed will now be adequately supplied.

“We are very grateful for his administration’s efforts in the education sector,” she added.
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One of the beneficiary student, Adini Grace Oluwabukola, an SS3 student of GYB Model Science Secondary School Adankolo expressed gratitude to the Governor for the priority his administration has placed on their education.

She expressed that government’s payment of her fees will serve as a relieve for her parents considering other financial burden the family have to resolve.
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Breakdown of Kogi State Government’s Payment of WAEC

Detailed Breakdown of Kogi State Government’s Payment of WAEC Fees for Students in State Public Secondary Schools under the Exceptional Leadership of His Excellency, Yahaya Bello, CON

PLEASE, FIND YOUR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS HERE.

ONOGWU Muhammed
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
November 4, 2023
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Governor Yahaya Bello releases N497m for payment of 2023 WAEC exam fees

. Reiterates commitment to free education, Zero Out-of-School Policy

As part of efforts aimed at further improving the state’s educational system, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has approved the immediate disbursement of N497 million for the payment of the 2023 WAEC examination fees for students enrolled in the state’s public schools.

The disbursement is also in realisation of the administration’s recent pledge to provide free education from primary to secondary school level within Kogi State’s public schools, underscoring the government’s unwavering commitment to implementing the “Zero Out-of-School Policy” in the state.
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A statement on Saturday signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Muhammed Onogwu, said, “This resolute step reflects the administration’s dedication to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to access quality education, regardless of their socioeconomic status. It aims to empower students to undertake crucial examinations without imposing any financial burden on their parents or guardians.

“Furthermore, the Governor recently emphasised that his administration would penalise parents who fail to enroll their children in school under his leadership. This comprehensive approach to education underscores the state’s commitment to not only increasing access to education but also ensuring active participation.”
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Among the schools that will directly benefit from this WAEC fees initiative, Dekina has the highest number of students, with 1,867 beneficiaries, followed by Lokoja Local Government Area, which has 1,569 students and Okene, 1,345 students.

In total, this noble initiative will benefit a substantial 15,033 students, fostering a brighter educational future for the youth of Kogi State.

ONOGWU Muhammed
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
4th November, 2023
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GYB made a visit to the office of the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman

The Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Yahaya Bello, CON, made a significant visit to the office of the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory on Wednesday.

Governor Bello’s visit had a dual purpose: firstly, to extend his heartfelt congratulations to the minister on his well-deserved appointment, and secondly, to provide an update on the remarkable progress and developments in the field of education within Kogi State under his administration.
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In a warm reception of the governor who was accompanied by Engr Aisha Bello, Prof Mamman expressed deep appreciation and commended the outstanding developmental achievements witnessed in Kogi State under Governor Bello’s leadership.
He emphasized that the governor’s remarkable efforts in the education sector had garnered significant recognition. Prof Mamman specifically praised the establishment of another state-owned university, the second within the span of Governor Bello’s seven-year administration.

Furthermore, he expressed admiration for the governor’s unwavering commitment to advancing the objectives of the All Progressives Congress Party, APC.
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The minister gave assurance that both he and the entire ministry management were fully dedicated to realizing the education-related goals set by Mr. President for Nigeria. Prof Mamman expressed confidence in Mr. President’s capability to effect positive transformations, emphasizing that his ministry would spare no effort in supporting the administration to fulfill its educational mandate.

ONOGWU Muhammed
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
October 4, 2023
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Kogi College of Nursing, Obangede graduates 1,069 students

Kogi College of Nursing, Obangede graduates 1,069 students, credits Gov Yahaya Bello for improved rating, academic excellence

. We’ll maintain prioritisation of education development – Gov Bello

Governor Yahaya Bello has restated his administration’s commitment to the development of education in Kogi State.
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He described education as a significant asset to the state during his attendance at the 6th Combined Convocation Ceremony of the Kogi State College of Nursing and Midwifery in Obangede, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.

He said this just as the Provost of the college, Mrs. Hannah Abraham, credited the governor for the improved rating of the institution and successes recorded, including academic excellence, noting that these would not have been possible without the state government’s substantial investments in the institution under the leadership of Governor Yahaya Bello.
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While congratulating the graduating students, the Governor emphasised the crucial role of education in nation-building and urged them to focus on acquiring practical skills, not solely relying on academic qualifications.

He affirmed that his administration would maintain its prioritisation of educational development in Kogi State.

Governor Bello commended the management of the institution for the remarkable progress and visible improvements in the school.

He recalled the challenging conditions the institution faced when he assumed office in 2015, operating out of a bungalow.

However, under his leadership, the school has witnessed substantial growth, including the construction of classrooms, hostels, laboratories, and faculty buildings.
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Today, it stands as a fully accredited institution, which he finds heartening.

Earlier, the institution’s provost, Mrs. Hannah Abraham, highlighted the school’s achievements, encompassing academic excellence, physical infrastructure development, staff training, and welfare.

She noted that all courses at the institution had received accreditation, making Kogi State College of Nursing and Midwifery in Obangede a sought-after nursing school in Nigeria.

Furthermore, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) granted approval for the Kogi State College of Nursing and Midwifery in Obangede to offer the Higher National Diploma (HND) program in Nursing, which is already underway.

To ensure the quality of incoming students, the admission process has since been through the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB).

She highlighted the resolution of the longstanding challenge of hostel accommodation, with renovations to existing structures and the construction of new ones.
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She commended Governor Bello for his substantial investments in education, spanning from primary to tertiary levels.

About 1,069 students took part in the Convocation ceremony on Sunday, September 9, after completing their studies.

September 9, 2023
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GYB Awards Scholarship to Oluwabukolami

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has granted a scholarship to Miss Oluwabukolami Adeyemi, the recipient of the British Council Outstanding Cambridge Learner’s Award.

This award is in recognition of her remarkable performance in the 2022 Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge AS Level Examinations.

The governor received Oluwabukolami and her parents at his office in Lugard House, Lokoja, on Wednesday. He expressed his satisfaction with her outstanding performance, which has positioned her as a distinguished representative of the state, country and the world in general.

Oluwabukolami, who has already secured admission to a university in the United Kingdom to study law, shared her aspiration of becoming a successful lawyer.
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She also aims to excel in her profession internationally, with cross-border access to legal practice.

Furthermore, Oluwabukolami expressed her ambition to play a significant role in government, either by holding leadership positions in Nigeria or contributing to policy-making and legislative processes.

She requested prayers for her parents, who were facing the financial burden of funding her education abroad.

Governor Bello commended Oluwabukolami’s exceptional performance and encouraged parents to follow the example set by Mr. and Mrs. Adeyemi in nurturing their children for success through dedication to education.

He emphasised that Oluwabukolami achieved global recognition due to her intellectual prowess rather than any inappropriate means.

Continuing his tradition of generosity, the governor, who has previously awarded multiple scholarships to outstanding students and supported medical expenses locally and internationally for indigent patients, announced that Oluwabukolami had been granted a scholarship in his name.

Engr. Olumide Adeyemi, Oluwabukolami’s father, expressed deep gratitude to the governor, described the scholarship offer as unbelievable and offered prayers for the well-being of the governor and his family.

Oluwabukolami Adeyemi shattered the glass ceiling by achieving the highest scores in the examination, which was conducted across 146 countries worldwide.

ONOGWU Muhammed
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
23/08/2023

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