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OTUNBA SOLOMON OLUSEGUN DURO: A PHILANTHROPIST’S SPLENDID SALLAH CELEBRATION IN IYAMOYE

In a heartwarming display of community spirit and philanthropy, Otunba Solomon Olusegun Duro, a renowned businessman and finance expert, hosted a grand Sallah celebration at his country home in Iyamoye, Kogi State, on Saturday. Despite not being a Muslim, Otunba Duro pulled out all the stops to bring his community together for a mouth-watering Sallah special, a tradition he has maintained for over seven years. The celebration, which saw many coming and going, began with a visit by the Oba in Council, led by Kabiesi himself, HRM Obaro Ademinuyi Ibrahim Momo, the Amuwajoye 1 Obaro of Iyamoye. The Oba was escorted by prominent chiefs, and Otunba Duro, who was conferred with the title Otunba Iyamoye by the Oba years ago, welcomed them warmly. Otunba Duro’s commitment to community development is evident in his philanthropic efforts. His foundation, Aseremasika Foundation, has been instrumental in assisting many members of the community in securing jobs, education, and empowerment across the country. He has also been working on rebuilding a befitting palace for the Kabiesi, a project that showcases his dedication to the community’s growth. During the celebration, Otunba Duro reiterated his belief that every festive season should be an opportunity to bond, develop, and grow in the community. “Many sons and daughters of the community only come around during Sallah, Easter, or Christmas, and there is no better time to come together to look into how the community can develop,” he said. As guests departed, many expressed their admiration for Otunba Duro’s selfless service to the community. While some wished he would consider taking on a more active role in politics, Otunba Duro remains committed to supporting Iyamoye citizens with ambition, even if he doesn’t pursue politics himself. The Sallah celebration was a testament to Otunba Duro’s generosity and commitment to community development. As the community looks to the future, one thing is clear: Otunba Solomon Olusegun Duro is a true champion of community growth and development.

19 DIE IN KOGI STATE ROAD ACCIDENT

A devastating accident on the Lokoja-Obajana Road in Kogi State has claimed the lives of 19 people, with eight others injured. The incident occurred on Sunday at the Gadabiu community around 4 pm, when a truck collided head-on with a Toyota Hummer bus traveling from the South to Abuja. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident on Monday, with Kogi State Sector Commander, Mr. Kumar Tsukwam, revealing the details of the accident. According to Tsukwam, the bus was speeding and attempted to overtake a truck, but ended up facing another truck coming from the opposite direction. “It’s a very sad situation. The crash could have been avoided if the drivers had adhered to speed limits and traffic rules,” Tsukwam said. The accident involved 27 people, with only eight surviving. The survivors suffered various injuries, including cuts, bruises, broken bones, and burns. Rescue teams and the police responded promptly, rushing the injured to Fisayo Hospital in Obajana for medical attention. Tsukwam urged drivers to prioritize road safety, saying, “Highways are not racing tracks. It’s essential to follow traffic rules and be cautious to reduce the number of accidents and improve road safety across the country.” The FRSC commander’s appeal serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible driving and adherence to traffic regulations to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.

GOVERNOR ODODO DISTRIBUTES PALLIATIVES TO 1,500 WIDOWS ACROSS KOGI STATE

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has distributed palliatives to 1,500 widows across the 21 local government areas in the state as part of a broad initiative aimed at alleviating economic hardship faced by vulnerable groups. The ceremony, held at the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre in Lokoja, highlighted the state government’s continued commitment to empowering women and improving the welfare of disadvantaged citizens. Governor Ododo emphasized the importance of supporting widows and vulnerable groups in society, describing it as “a moral duty, a sacred responsibility.” He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to prioritizing the needs of indigent members of society, especially women and children. “I want every widow in Kogi State to hear me. I carry your welfare into every policy and decision I make, and as long as I am your Chief Servant, you will always have a place in our government, in our plan and in my heart,” Governor Ododo said. The governor also announced plans for a support system that includes skills training, access to healthcare, small business funding, and access to education for the children of beneficiaries. Over 1,000 beneficiaries received a comprehensive package that included a bag of rice, clothing materials, financial assistance, and other food items. Governor Ododo urged the beneficiaries to make the best use of the support they received to uplift their families and contribute to the economy of their communities. The palliative distribution is part of ongoing interventions under the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, which aligns with Governor Ododo’s agenda to provide meaningful relief and sustainable support to the state’s most vulnerable citizens. Beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the governor’s proactive steps in addressing challenges faced by vulnerable groups, describing the intervention as timely and impactful.

PRESIDENT TINUBU CALLS FOR UNITY AND PROSPERITY IN NIGERIA

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emphasized the importance of unity in achieving national progress, citing the confluence of River Niger and River Benue in Lokoja, Kogi State, as a metaphor for collective strength. Speaking at the Kogi Dialogue, which marked Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s first year in office, President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said, “The convergence of these rivers is not just a geographical event; it is a divine lesson in strength and continuity. It symbolizes the power of unity—where individual streams combine to create a force capable of shaping destinies and carving paths.” Confluence Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, noted that President Tinubu praised Governor Ododo for launching the Kogi Dialogue, describing it as “a spark of wisdom and a critical step toward fostering reconciliation and progress.” Nkwocha added that the President urged leaders to build bridges across the country and prioritize dialogue for resolving differences and promoting national cohesion. President Tinubu emphasized that “dialogue is not just an opportunity to air grievances. It is the true path to justice, reconciliation, and understanding. Without dialogue, history will pass us by, leaving us abandoned by time and forgotten by progress.” He appealed to leaders to reject division and embrace unity, stating that “chaos and discord are ladders for the self-serving, but unity is the bridge that carries us all forward”. In his remarks, Governor Ododo thanked President Tinubu and the people of Kogi State for their support. He also paid tribute to Vice President Shettima for his support and inspiration. Governor Ododo noted that Kogi State is blessed with rich human, natural, and material resources, and urged indigenes to prioritize the state’s development. The event was attended by notable figures, including the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and former Governor Yahaya Bello. The highpoint of the visit was the commissioning of road projects executed by the Ododo administration during his first year in office.

KOGI YOUTHS BLOCK HIGHWAY TO PROTEST KILLING OF FARMERS BY SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS

Youths from Odo Ape community in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State took to the streets on Saturday, blocking the Lokoja-Kabba federal highway to protest the gruesome murder of two farmers by suspected kidnappers. The protest, which began at 8 am, caused hours of gridlock on the busy road before security operatives, vigilantes, and concerned individuals intervened to clear the barricade and restore order. The community was thrown into mourning on Friday after the killing of two farmers, identified as Mr. Black and Sunday Aiyedero, on their farms. Mr. Black was shot dead by gunmen while transporting farm produce to the market, while Sunday Aiyedero was killed instantly on a nearby farm. The killings occurred barely a month after gunmen attacked the community and kidnapped a newly elected ward councillor. Residents described the security situation in Odo Ape as alarming and called on the government and security agencies to intervene urgently. In response to the crisis, the Chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government, Barrister Zacchaeus Dare, appealed to the community to provide credible intelligence to aid security operatives. He assured residents that efforts to restore peace were underway, with military, police, hunters, and vigilantes deployed to combat the attacks. “We have deployed military, police, hunters and local vigilante to restore peace and we assure our people that we would not relent until those criminal elements are kicked out of our environment,” Dare said. He also blamed the security situation on the influx of Fulani herdsmen who passed through the back door into the local government in connivance with some criminal traditional rulers.