Stakeholders highlight importance of geology to Kogi's socioeconomic development »

From the alumni of University of Jos in Kogi State to the scholars and political figures that converged on the Federal University Lokoja, it was about the place of geology and the resources under the earth and how they could make Kogi the development headquarters of the country and Africa.

As the head of Geology Department of the university, Dr Aaron Auduson puts it, if geology is properly utilized, it is capable of assisting Kogi State to feed her people and the entire African continent for many years because there are enormous resources buried under the earth that only that field of sciences can bring to the use of humanity.

This was the development on Thursday when the University of Jos Alumni Association held a public lecture and conversation in honour of Kogi State Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja on the prospects and challenges of Mining in the state.

The guest lecturer was a Professor of Geology and Chair Professor of Basinal Studies and the Ibrahim Badamsi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Nuhu George Obaje.

Speaking at the occasion, the Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja thanked the organizers for the honour done him and restated the commitment of the current Kogi State Government to utilize the resources nature has deposited in the state for the benefit of citizens.

He said Governor Yahaya Bello has demonstrated that by giving the solid minerals sector the recognition it deserves by making sure the state has a ministry set aside for it for the first since its creation.

He noted that the Minerals Investment Company Limited has also been revamped under the current administration with an alumni of the University of Jos playing key roles in ensuring the state’s Economic Team put Kogi’s resources to proper use.

Chief Onoja took time to advise the youth especially the students to cultivate character, capacity and integrity as ingredients for greatness while also advising them to network and be each other’s friends for a better future.

He noted his passion to give back to society through impacting the young and promised to take time out as a personal commitment to be a guest lecturer some day at the Federal University Lokoja and the Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba.

In his earlier presentation, the state Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Engr Abubakar Bashir Muhammad had described solid minerals as he most reliable alternative to the dwindling oil fortunes in Nigeria as the nation can not afford to sit and watch its economy base dwindle.

He noted that the Federal government has already endorsed diversification of the major source of the economy to solid minerals and agriculture, as the two resources have remained unattractive to both the government, citizens and investors.

The Commissioner said the state Ministry of Solid Minerals is committed to overseeing the rapid development of the abundant of Kogi State through the abundant resources at its disposal.

Engineer Gegu said the state ministry is also mobilizing investors through provision of necessary information on the available mineral resources in the state as well as branding them adequately.

“The government of Kogi state under the leadership of Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has mandated the Ministry of solid Minerals to mobilize and collaborate with small Scale investors for exploration and exploitation of solid minerals across the state.”

According to the Commissioner, with commencement of mining activities, the youths in the state will have the opportunity to create wealth through self employment and promote rural economy to reduce poverty and other vices.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Olayemi Akinwunmi who was represented at the occasion, applauded the Deputy Governor for his leadership and academic brilliance, and pleaded with the people of the state to assist the relatively new Geology Department in the institution to help the state become greater by discovering its resources buried under the earth.

He said his students and lecturers are adequately prepared to show capacity in any given opportunity, stressing that they were ready to make Kogi great.

On his part, the Chairman of the Alumni Association in the State, Hon Bayode Oladipo had expressed gratitude to members for rallying around to ensure the success of the program, noting that the honour done to Chief Onoja was most deserving in view of his outstanding contribution to humanity at large and the body in particular.

Speaking, the chairman of Lectures and Academic Partnership Committee of Alumni Association, Dr Omali Aurelius who described Chief Edward Onoja as a revered humanitarian, Godly politician and unifier, said the event was apt.

Kogi APC stalwart – Karaku, commends Gov Bello on road construction, infrastructure facelifts

A stalwart of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Karaku has aplauded efforts of Govenror Yahaya Bello in the construction of road networks across the state and general infrastructural upgrade since assumption of office.

A statement by Abdulrahim Habib, media aide to the Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr Abubakar Ohere said Hon Karaku made the assertion on Thursday shortly after a visit to the Ministry in Lokoja the state capital.

The statement noted that the party leader for central senatorial district of the state, expressed satisfaction with the giant strides of Governor Bello across sectors and acknowledged his achievements especially on the ongoing Ganaja flyover, other important road networks and others, pointing out that the intervention is huge judging from his years in politics.

Karaku explained that creating access roads in the state will not only boost the state’s economy, but also reduce insecurity in rural areas, noting that the reference hospital in Kogi Central is an investment in the health sector aimed at putting to an end medical tourism and deliver world class healthcare for the people of the state once completed.

The party stalwart then commended the Commissioner in charge of the ministry of works and housing, Engr Abubakar Ohere for quality work delivery in all the projects.

Responding, Engr Ohere thanked the party leader for the visit and expressed the determination of Governor Yahaya Bello to reorder the state of infrastructure in the state and upgrade them for the benefit of Kogi people.

He said these are evident from the various road projects spread across the state, the blue roof schools, construction of model secondary science schools, the Confluence University of Science and Technology, the Rice Mill in Ejiba, Kogi State University Anyiba Teaching Hospital Completion and all hospitals projects currently ongoing despite the state of resources.

“His Excellency has at different fora, assured the good people of Kogi state of his commitment to infrastructural development, adding that infrastructure is the hallmark of the New Direction Government, therefore no segment of the state will be left out of her developmental agenda,” Engr Ohere concluded.