Emmanuel Clement
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces to combat insecurity and safeguard lives and property across the state.
Governor Ododo made the pledge on Monday while receiving participants of Senior Course 48 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College on a study tour to Kogi State. The delegation was led by the Deputy Commandant of the college, Rear Admiral Anthony Victor Kojo.
Speaking during the visit, the governor described Kogi as a strategically important state due to its location and boundaries with ten states, including the Federal Capital Territory. He noted that the state’s vast forests, waterways, and mineral resources have at times attracted criminal activities.
Ododo explained that his administration has continued to strengthen intelligence gathering through regular engagement with communities, traditional rulers, and critical stakeholders, stressing that collaboration has become key in tackling insecurity in the state.
He maintained that the government remains proactive and uncompromising in addressing criminality, adding that security challenges in Kogi often have direct implications for the safety of the Federal Capital Territory.
The governor commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their sacrifices in preserving the unity, peace, and stability of the country, while also praising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising the fight against insecurity nationwide.
Earlier, Rear Admiral Anthony Victor Kojo said the study tour was organised to broaden the strategic knowledge and exposure of participants of Senior Course 48 on key national issues.
According to him, the programme covers states including Benue, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Niger, Katsina, Plateau, and Kogi, with the objective of helping senior military officers gain deeper insights into governance, security management, and community relations.
He explained that the Kogi segment of the tour, themed “Community Engagement to Enhance National Security and Prosperity,” was designed to expose participants to Nigeria’s security architecture and the importance of collaboration in sustaining peace and stability.
Rear Admiral Kojo commended the Kogi State Government for its support to the Armed Forces, particularly the administration’s investment in security infrastructure and the strengthening of the Kogi State Security Trust Fund.
He also praised Governor Ododo’s community-based security approach, noting that effective security requires collective responsibility involving communities and traditional institutions alongside security agencies.
Kojo further disclosed that observations and findings from the study tour would be compiled to support policy formulation and provide recommendations beneficial to participating states, including Kogi State.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Major Zakari Musa expressed appreciation to Governor Ododo for the warm reception and hospitality extended to the delegation, adding that the governor’s insights would greatly enrich the Nigerian Study Tour.
The visit featured the presentation of a souvenir to Governor Ododo by members of the delegation to commemorate the study tour to Kogi State.