Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has reinforced his administration’s commitment to education by disbursing check-off dues totaling ₦9,855,500 to student bodies NAKOSS and NAKOLSON in Lokoja on Monday.
The funds, derived from annual deductions on bursary awards, were officially presented by Education Commissioner Wemi Jones at the Ministry of Education.
Commissioner Jones urged the recipients to manage the funds wisely, emphasizing that transparency in fund allocation is a key priority of the state government. He noted that these dues are intended to support operational costs, student welfare, and various academic initiatives across Kogi’s tertiary institutions.
During the ceremony, Governor Ododo stressed that investing in education is critical for reducing poverty and fostering a skilled workforce for the future. He called on students to serve as exemplary ambassadors for the state, urging them to eschew social vices and focus on their studies and leadership roles.
The State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Monday Anyebe, also expressed his appreciation for the initiative, highlighting that such financial support would boost academic excellence and empower the youth to contribute actively to state development.
Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Scholarship Board, Afolabi Joseph Raji, explained that the check-off dues were calculated at ₦1,000 for undergraduate students and ₦5,000 for law school students, demonstrating the board’s commitment to accountability and proper fund management.
Dr. Jeremiah Elukpo, National President of NAKOSS, lauded the initiative as a significant step toward alleviating financial burdens on students and called for the program to be expanded to benefit all Kogi-origin students in higher institutions, ensuring that the next generation of leaders is well-supported.
