News
Kogi Poly Signs MoU with NASRDA on Aerospace Engineering Technology
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Management of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) for the purpose of collaboration with the institution’s Aerospace Engineering Technology Department, School of Engineering.
In a statement signed by Uredo Omale, Head, Public Relations and Protocol Unit of the institution, the MoU was signed on Wednesday at the NASRDA headquarters, Obasanjo Space Centre, Abuja.
The Director General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr Halilu Ahmed Shaba and Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Dr Salisu Ogbo Usman, signed on behalf of both parties.
Dr Shaba said the MoU would strengthen the deep historic ties between the two parties in terms of socio-economic development, space exploration, environmental safety and trade.
He further said that the institution and the Agency had made relentless efforts at ensuring the actualisation of the great feat for exploration of Aerospace Engineering Technology.
“National Space Research and Development Agency and Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja share historic ties, as both agencies have been working closely in recent times”, he said.
The signing of the MoU, Dr Shaba added, “Is a right step in the right direction, as it will accelerate Nigeria’s economic transformation from a resource-based to knowledge-based and Innovation driven.”
Shaba bemoaned the obsolete equipment in some institutions, and commended KSP Rector, Dr Ogbo Usman for sustaining the relationship, the great feat and advancement in achieving the Aerospace exploration.
He added that the Polytechnic had persistently, since 2014 been pushing for the attainment of the MOU and reiterated the agency’s desire to make Aerospace Engineering Technology competitive globally by investing in Aerospace Engineering Technology.
He hinted that the agency would further collaborate with the Kogi State Polytechnic in the area of Agricultural advancement in 2023 by organising an exhibition and a joint workshop.
In the same vein, Engr. Sadiq Umar, Director, CSCD in his closing remarks, appreciated the managements of NASRDA and KSP for the passion and unfettered energy towards achieving the feat.
He described Dr Shaba and Dr Usman as reformers of high repute and ones whose mandates had yielded a landmark achievement.
Umar disclosed the agency’s readiness to establish AEROSPACE technology across institutions in the country as already achieved in Lagos State University (LASU).
Speaking earlier, Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman, Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, said the MoU would be of mutual socio-economic benefit to both parties.
He revealed that the MoU which had just been approved, started in 2014 under the then Director General of NASRDA, Late Prof. Seidu Ogah Mohammed and the then Rector of KSP, Late Prof. Matthew Ajibero – both of blessed memory.
He therefore commended the deceased Prof. Ogah and Prof Ajibero for their historic initiative “which without doubt, will stand the test of time” and commended NASRDA DG for his unusual humility in sustaining the relationship.
Dr Usman said that the historic event would further expand collaborations in Agriculture, Aerospace Technology and capacity building as well as space application programmes for societal purposes.
Dr Ogbo Usman reassured the Agency on the Polytechnic’s readiness to ensure quick and prompt utilisation of facilities in the areas concerned.
Highlight of the occasion was the exchange of souvenirs by both agencies as a mark of honour and appreciation for continued collaboration. (Ends)
***Blames love for personal enrichment in public service for poverty. Insecurity in the region
A former National Health Insurance Scheme secretary, Usman Yusuf has expressed concern over the disparities in development and resource allocation between the north and south of Nigeria.
He lamented that while the south is investing in massive infrastructure projects like a 15.6 trillion naira highway, the north is struggling with poverty and insecurity
Yusuf criticised the prioritisation of personal enrichment in public service, citing examples of corrupt practices and the need for accountability.
He emphasised that holding public office is not an end in itself but rather a means to serve the people, and that true leadership requires dedication to the well-being of all citizens.
According to him, “Our people in the north are lining up like defeated people, while in the south, they’re building a 15.6 trillion highway. We in the north are not doing well. We are here in Abuja distributing money to themselves, Ningi Gate, you forgot. So the failure is ours; I’ve said it again and again: position means nothing; all these SUVs you’re going around in mean nothing because, all of you, we’ve had Chiefs of Army staff, Chiefs of Service, and Ministers; when they retire, nobody can go back home and spend the weekend without these big black guns.”
Usman Yusuf is a Nigerian professor of haematology-oncology and bone marrow transplantation and an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and has practiced medicine across three continents – Africa, Europe and North America – after his MBBS in 1982. He was appointed the executive secretary / chief executive officer of the National Helath Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in August 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari.
A faith-based Civil Society Organization, (CSO), that monitors and reports Hajj and Umrah activities Independent Hajj Reporters, (IHR) has called on the Federal and state governments to make adequate security arrangements for pilgrims at embarkation points across the country.
This is coming as the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia begins on Wednesday this week.
In a statement on Monday signed by its national coordinator Ibrahim Mohammed the IHR indicated that over 65, 000 intending pilgrims from Nigeria will be leaving their homes to various Hajj camps for screening and onward transportation to about 15 airports within the next 30 days.
The Statement observed that such mass movement of people from one point to another creates serious security challenges that need a comprehensive and coordinated strategy by the various security agencies in the country.
“While we appreciate the efforts made by security agencies in previous operations, we call on the federal government to order and activate a high-level security surveillance system to monitor and protect the movement of pilgrims throughout the outbound and inbound airlift operations.
“We also urge State Muslim pilgrims’ welfare boards to advise intending pilgrims against coming to hajj camps with large escorts usually made up of family members as such increases the likelihood of security breaches especially
when airlift operations demand that pilgrims can be invited to hajj camps at any time of the day or night.
State governments should complement the federal security architecture by mobilizing local vigilantes and other volunteers to form a hajj security team and provide them with internal communication equipment with state hajj officials, airliners and other airlift stakeholders.
“As journalists who worked closely with security agencies during hajj operations, IHR had in the last few years honour security institutions during its annual hajj lectures and awards to appreciate and encourage them to improve on their daunting tasks of maintaining security of lives and properties across the country.”
IHR further appealed to Security forces to take necessary “measures to prevent evil-minded groups from exploiting the Hajj season to carry out acts of sabotage.
“Anticipating and preparing for potential security threats before they materialize will help in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities and weaknesses ahead of time”. The statement said.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has clinched the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket as the candidate of the party for the forthcoming November 16 governorship election in the state by sefeating fifteen other aspirants in a landslide victory
The Chairman of the Governorship Primary Election Committee and Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, made the declaration on Monday morning in Akure, the state capital.
Ododo said Aiyedatiwa clinched the APC ticket with a total of 48,569 votes followed by his closest rival, Mayowa Akinfolarin, who trailed behind with 15,343 votes, while Chief Olusola Oke secured the third position with 14,865 votes.
Below is a breakdown of the final results of the election.
Total number of voters – 117922
Total number of accredited voters – 95,178
Total votes cast – 95178
Invalid – Nil
Jimi Odimayo – 490
Omogoroye Judith – 115
Lucky Aiyedatiwa – 48,569
Isaacs Kekemeke – 1045
Soji Ehinlanwo – 492
Olugbenga Edema – 395
Jimoh lbrahim – 9456
Adekojo Funmilayo – 529
Akinfolarin Samuel – – 15343
Wale Akinterinwa – 1952
Olusola Oke – 14,915
Olamide Ohunyeye – 424
Morayo Lebi – 290
Diran lyantan – 348
Prof Dayo Faduyile – 353
Ife Oyedele – 462
1: Ilaje LG
Lucky Aiyedatiwa 2,485
Wale Akinterinwa. 26
Olusola Oke. 2,511
Jimoh Ibrahim 589
2: Ile Oluji/Okeigbo
Jimoh Ibrahim: 282
AIYEDATIWA: 1225
WA: 474
3: Ondo West LG
Jimoh Ibrahim: 2668
Aiyedatiwa: 10610
4: Ese Odo LG
Aiyedatiwa – 298
Akinterinwa – 0
Oke – 147
Jimoh Ibrahim – 174
5: Owo LG
Aiyedatiwa – 2,123
Akinterinwa – 345
Oke – 225
Jimoh Ibrahim – 192
6: Idanre LG
Aiyedatiwa – 1, 579
Akinterinwa – 119
Oke – 225
Jimoh Ibrahim – 120
7: AKOKO NORTH EAST LG
Aiyedatiwa 1, 664
Akinterinwa 135
Oke 138
Jimoh Ibrahim 505
8: AKOKO NORTH WEST LG
Aiyedatiwa 5, 430
Akinterinwa 198
Oke 2, 721
Jimoh Ibrahim 728
9: AKOKO SOUTH EAST LG
Aiyedatiwa 2, 533
Akinterinwa 43
Oke 391
Jimoh Ibrahim 67
10: AKOKO SOUTH WEST LG
Aiyedatiwa – 2, 747
Akinterinwa – 272
Oke – 415
Jimoh Ibrahim – 466
11: No results for IFEDORE LGA due to alleged violence
12: OSE LGA
Aiyedatiwa 1, 091
Akinterinwa 39
Oke 800
Jimoh Ibrahim 267
13: IRELE LG
Aiyedatiwa 1, 203
Akinterinwa 15
Oke 93
Jimoh Ibrahim 139
14: ODIGBO LG
Aiyedatiwa 2, 631
Akinterinwa 114
Oke 138
Jimoh Ibrahim 845
15: AKURE NORTH LG
Aiyedatiwa 2, 860
Akinterinwa 177
Oke 1, 239
Jimoh Ibrahim 1, 606
16: AKURE SOUTH LG
Aiyedatiwa 3, 265
Akinterinwa 86
Oke 328
Jimoh Ibrahim 294
17 OKITIPUPA LG
Aiyedatiwa 1, 622
Akinterinwa 27
Oke 1, 571
Jimoh Ibrahim 109
18: ONDO EAST LG
Aiyedatiwa 4, 803
Akinterinwa 141
Oke 1, 171
Jimoh Ibrahim 406
-
Crime7 months agoPolice nabs Killer of Varsity Lecturer in Niger
-
News4 months agoFCT-IRS tells socialite Aisha Achimugu not to forget to file her annual returns
-
Appointment8 months agoTinubu names El-Rufai, Tope Fasua, others in New appointments
-
News From Kogi6 months agoINEC cancells election in 67 polling units in Ogori-Magongo in Kogi
-
News From Kogi9 months agoEchocho Challenges Tribunal Judgment ordering rerun in 94 polling units
-
News8 months agoIPOB: Simon Ekpa gives reason for seperatists clamour for Biafra
-
Metro2 months ago‘Listing Simon Ekpa among wanted persons by Nigeria military is rascality, intimidation’
-
News4 months agoKingmakers of Igu/ Koton-Karfe dare Bello, urge him to reverse deposition of Ohimege-Igu