Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has reiterated the critical role of education in combating crime and fostering societal development, as he flagged off the disbursement of over ₦316 million in bursary allowances and scholarships to students in tertiary institutions.
The governor, speaking through his deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu, at the Government House in Lokoja on Friday, described education as a vital tool for driving progress.
He emphasized his administration’s commitment to alleviating financial challenges faced by students and their families.
As part of the initiative, 8,750 students will each receive ₦30,000 in bursary allowances, while law school students will benefit from a higher allowance of ₦300,000 each.
Additionally, Governor Ododo awarded a ₦5 million complementary scholarship to Miss Favour Oluwatimilehin Adebayo, a high-achieving student who secured the prestigious European Union ERASMUS+ Scholarship.
The governor also announced a policy to offer automatic employment to the top graduates of all tertiary institutions in the state, encouraging students to remain focused and contribute to Kogi State’s development.
“We will continue to prioritize the welfare of our students while working closely with student union bodies,” Ododo stated.
While expressing gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his educational initiatives, including the Student Loan Initiative.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Scholarship Board, Mr. Afolabi Joseph Raji, lauded the governor’s unwavering support for the education sector.
He disclosed that the board collaborated with Remita for electronic disbursement of funds to ensure transparency.
Raji also revealed plans to offer scholarships to academically outstanding students for studies in Western institutions.
The Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, Prof. Salisu Usman Ogbo, praised the administration for its commitment to a stable academic calendar and its ambitious projects aimed at strengthening the education sector.
This initiative is part of Governor Ododo’s broader strategy to build upon the legacies of former Governor Yahaya Bello, ensuring that Kogi students are empowered to achieve academic excellence and contribute meaningfully to society.