Ododo Media Centre

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

Governor Ododo Storms Iluke with Strong Condolence, Vows to Crush Bandits After Deadly Attack

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, on Thursday paid a high-powered sympathy visit to Iluke community in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, standing with grieving families in the wake of Wednesday’s brutal attack that claimed three lives. Among the victims was the Vice Principal of Government Science Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, a loss that has shaken both the community and the education sector in the state. The Governor’s presence sent a clear message that Kogi will not abandon its people in moments of tragedy.

Accompanied by the heads of all major security agencies and top officials of the Kogi State Government, Governor Ododo assessed the situation firsthand and reassured residents that government is moving decisively to restore peace. He confirmed that security forces have neutralized notorious bandit leader Kachalla Ibrahim Battijo, described as a key terror figure in the region. The Governor emphasized that this is only the beginning, announcing new security measures designed to fortify Iluke and ensure that criminal elements find no safe haven anywhere in Kogi State.

Speaking directly to the people of Iluke, Governor Ododo pledged that the state would leave no stone unturned in defending lives and property. He called for unity between citizens and security agencies, stressing that lasting peace depends on collective resolve and timely intelligence. The visit underscored his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on banditry and its commitment to making every community in Kogi safe, secure, and open for development.

Yahaya Shehu Ahmed mnim, Senior Special Assistant on Digital Media to the Governor

03/06/2026

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01/06/2026

PRESS STATEMENT

KOGI STATE GOVERNMENT SUSPENDS ECHANE FESTIVAL OVER SECURITY CONCERNS

The Kogi State Government has announced the immediate suspension of the Echane Festival in Ebiraland.

The decision follows credible intelligence reports indicating that activities associated with the festival have the potential to threaten public peace, safety and security, as well as lead to a breakdown of law and order in parts of Kogi Central Senatorial District.

While the Government recognizes and respects the cultural significance of traditional festivals and their role in preserving the rich heritage of our people, the security of lives and property remains the primary responsibility of government and must take precedence over all other considerations.

Consequently, His Excellency, the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has directed that the Echane Festival be suspended with immediate effect in the interest of peace and public safety.

The Governor has also directed all security agencies operating in the State to ensure strict compliance with this directive. Any individual or group found organizing, participating in or promoting activities connected with the suspended festival will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

The Kogi State Government urges all traditional rulers, community leaders, opinion leaders, youth groups and residents of the affected communities to cooperate with security agencies and support ongoing efforts to maintain peace and stability across the State.

The government remains committed to the protection of lives and property and will continue to take proactive measures to preserve the peace for which Kogi State is known.

Signed:

Kingsley Femi Fanwo
Hon. Commissioner for Information and Communications

31st May, 2026

Kingsley Femi Fanwo Yusuf Adebayo Ohiare Ebenezer Adurodija

01/05/2026

WORKERS’ DAY ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, ALH. AHMED USMAN ODODO, FCA,
EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF KOGI STATE

Protocol

1. My dear co-workers of Kogi State, distinguished labour leaders, gentlemen of the press, and great people of our dear State, I join you today with a deep sense of pride and responsibility as we celebrate Workers’ Day; a day set aside to honour your sacrifices, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the growth and stability of our State. Today is a moment of reflection and renewed dedication to the ideals of hard work, patriotism, and unity.

2. Let me say this clearly: I am one of you. I understand the challenges you face, and I know where the shoe pinches. I stand before you not just as your Governor, but as your Chief Servant, committed to leading from the front as we work together to build a productive, prosperous, and people-focused Kogi State.

3. When we sparked the reforms in the civil service, we did so deliberately and with a clear vision. We set out to build a labour force that is competent, efficient, and ready for the Kogi of our dreams, a workforce that can deliver quality service, embrace innovation, and compete with the best across the nation.

4. Our administration has remained consistent in prioritising the welfare of workers because we understand that a motivated workforce is the backbone of development. This is why we have sustained the prompt and regular payment of salaries and pensions, ensured timely promotions, supported retirees through the payment of gratuities, and maintained industrial harmony through continuous engagement with organised labour, while also investing in capacity building to equip our workforce for a modern and productive public service.

5. At the national level, I commend the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, whose bold steps have gone beyond wage increases to include reforms that make it possible to sustainably cater for the wages and welfare of workers. These reforms have provided the foundation upon which states like ours can build stronger and more responsive systems for the benefit of our workforce. The administration of Mr President has been impactful for workers, and I urge all of us to support ongoing efforts aimed at building a more united and prosperous Nigeria.

6. In Kogi State, we have aligned with this vision by focusing not only on meeting obligations, but also on building structures that guarantee sustainability, accountability, and long-term growth, ensuring that our civil service becomes a model of excellence and productivity.

7. However, the task of building the Kogi of our dreams does not rest in the government alone. It requires the collective effort of all of us. Let us put in the work, embrace patriotism, and strengthen our unity so that together, we can build a State that future generations will be proud of. We must reject indiscipline and inefficiency, and instead embrace diligence, integrity, and a shared sense of purpose.

8. As we celebrate today, we honour the sacrifices of those who have stood for the rights and welfare of workers, whose contributions remind us that progress is achieved through courage, sacrifice, and commitment to justice.

9. My fellow workers, as we approach a period when political activities will naturally gain momentum, I encourage responsible participation. At the same time, we must not lose sight of the fact that our people depend on us for service and productivity. Politics has its place, but our primary duty remains service to the people. Let us continue to work hard to create an environment that will boost industrialization, create opportunities, and engage our youths. Beyond politics, our shared goal must be to build a Kogi that is industrialised and positioned as a production hub for our nation.

10. Let us also embrace the Kogi Rebrand Campaign by projecting our State positively at all times. What we call Kogi is what the world will come to see. As critical stakeholders in governance, I urge you to use your platforms to showcase the strengths and vast potential of our State. When the world sees the opportunities in Kogi, investment will grow, jobs will be created, and prosperity will expand. Kogi is counting on you. Our identity as the true Confluence of Opportunities must be reflected in our words and actions.

11. To every worker in Kogi State, I assure you that your labour is not in vain. Your sacrifices are recognised, your contributions are valued, and your government remains committed to your welfare and well-being.

12. Together, we will continue to move Kogi State forward, building a stronger, more united, and more productive State for ourselves and generations yet unborn. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “All labour that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” This timeless truth reminds us that every honest effort contributes to the greatness of our State.

Happy Workers’ Day, and may God bless the great workers of Kogi State.

Thank you and God bless.

HE Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA
The Chief Servant of Kogi State

1st May, 2026

NB: His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo was represented at the event by his Deputy, His Excellency Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo

26/04/2026

PRESS STATEMENT

KOGI STATE STRENGTHENS CHINA PARTNERSHIP FOR AGRO-INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND SAPZ IMPLEMENTATION

Kogi State has taken a significant step in advancing its international partnerships aimed at accelerating the implementation of its Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme.

The SAPZ initiative is a strategic agro-industrial platform designed to boost food production, enhance processing capacity, create employment opportunities, attract private sector investment, and position Kogi State as a leading agricultural and industrial hub in Nigeria.

Central to the engagement is the development of a modern agricultural science and technology industrial park in Kogi State. The project aligns with the broader SAPZ framework and is expected to drive agro-processing, facilitate agricultural technology transfer, support equipment deployment, promote enterprise incubation, strengthen logistics and cold chain systems, enhance export infrastructure, and provide sustainable power solutions.

The Kogi SAPZ structure comprises the Ajaokuta Agro-Industrial Hub, alongside Agricultural Transformation Centres in Anyigba, Alape, and Osara, as well as the Zariagi Agro-Air Hub. The programme is designed to integrate existing farmer clusters with an additional 150,000 hectares of farmland per zone, creating opportunities for large-scale, tenant-driven agricultural production.

Priority value chains under the SAPZ include rice, maize, cassava, livestock and poultry, sesame, cashew, oil palm, and greenhouse farming. The programme also incorporates critical support systems such as warehousing, cold chain logistics, power solutions, compressed natural gas (CNG), agricultural technology, equipment deployment, and agro-export infrastructure.

As part of this effort, Kogi State entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with Hezheng Holdings Group and Hezheng Digital Technology (Hezheng Innovation Valley) Co., Ltd. The agreement marks a transition from conceptual planning to implementation and reflects the State’s deliberate strategy to attract credible technical partners, industrial park operators, investors, and global business platforms into the SAPZ ecosystem.

The Kogi State delegation was led by Alhaji Yakubu Okala, FCA, Auditor General of Kogi State and Project Investment Adviser, who represented His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi State. Other members of the delegation included the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Ojomah Timothy; Technical Adviser to the Governor’s Office, Dr. Abdullahi Ozomata; Chief Economic Adviser to the State, Alhaji Aliyu Inda Salami; and Project Consultant/Managing Director of Pulse Engineering and Consulting Limited, Mr. David Lekan Obatolu.

During the visit, the delegation toured key Hezheng facilities, including its investment promotion centre, agricultural industry exhibition hall, global launch hall, and live-streaming incubation base. The tour provided valuable insights into Hezheng’s industrial park management model, enterprise support systems, agricultural technology integration, and cross-border market development strategies.

Deliberations between both parties focused on actionable implementation areas such as industrial park development, technology transfer, processing infrastructure, enterprise incubation, park management systems, investment mobilisation, and equipment deployment. Discussions also explored frameworks for establishing a structured and sustainable China–Kogi industrial cooperation platform.

Both sides expressed strong alignment on the project vision and implementation roadmap. In the coming months, technical and commercial workstreams will be advanced towards full project mobilisation, including preparatory activities for groundbreaking and the establishment of coordination offices in China, Kogi State, and Abuja.

This engagement underscores the commitment of the Kogi State Government to transitioning the SAPZ programme from planning to ex*****on, while positioning the State as a competitive destination for agro-industrial investment.

Kogi State remains resolute in its vision to build a bankable and investment-ready agro-industrial ecosystem that will enhance food security, promote value addition, create jobs, strengthen farmer-market linkages, support export growth, and unlock new economic opportunities for its people.

Signed:

Kingsley Femi Fanwo
Honourable Commissioner for Information and Communications

26th April, 2026