Stories from AMEDU JOSEPH, Lokoja
All is now set for this year’s Takete Ide Day Festival in Mopa/Amuro Local Government Area of Kogi State, where Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo will serve as Distinguished Special Guest of Honour.
A statement from the festival’s Publicity and Planning Committee, made available to journalists in Lokoja on Sunday, disclosed that the annual cultural celebration of the agrarian community in Amuro District would be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
According to the statement, the ceremony — themed, ‘Love, Culture, and Development’ — was aimed at preserving history and strengthening communal identity.
Highlights of the festival would include a ₦200 million fundraising, with Leke Abejide, member representing Yagba Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, and Dr Habibat Onumoko, Kogi State Accountant General, serving as chairman and chairperson respectively.
A Lagos-based businessman and philanthropist, Prince Olatunji Olusoji, will act as chief launcher.
Also expected at the event are Kogi State Deputy Governor, Joel Salifu Oyibo, his predecessor Arc. Yomi Awoniyi, Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) and James Abiodun Faleke (Ikeja Federal Constituency), who will attend as special guests.
The committee noted that all funds raised would be channelled into improving infrastructure and the standard of living in the community.
Chairman of the Central Planning Committee and host, Kingsley Fanwo, who also serves as Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, said the community was fully prepared for the event and that invited dignitaries had confirmed attendance.
He described the festival as a platform to highlight both the challenges and vast potential of the community, adding that it would also feature the unveiling of a new community attire.
“We celebrate with our friends and supporters, having the unity of our people and the development of our fatherland as our focus,” Fanwo said.
“We are peaceful, hardworking, and hospitable people, and we will treat our guests to the best of our delicacies and culture. We believe that much good can come to our community through effective partnerships within and beyond it.”
National President of the Takete Ide Progressive Union (TIPU) and Chief Host of the event, Prince (Bldr) Dare Fiki, expressed satisfaction with the level of preparations.
He said past celebrations had contributed positively to the unity and progress of the community, assuring that this year’s edition would be even more impactful.
Ododo flags off distribution of transformers across Kogi communities
Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State has flagged off the distribution and installation of 30 units of 500 KVA transformers across the three senatorial districts of the state.
The initiative was aimed at enhancing electricity supply, boosting economic activities and improving the overall quality of life for Kogi residents.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony on Monday at the Government House, Lokoja, Governor Ododo described the event as a major milestone in fulfilling his administration’s promise to light up communities and empower the people.
He thanked President Tinubu for his unwavering support, which he said had made governance easier in Kogi State.
“I’m proud to say that our administration is replicating the good work of President Tinubu,” Ododo said.
“We’re committed to developing our state’s infrastructure, and this electrification project is a key component of our agenda,” he added.
He emphasised that the distribution of the 30 transformers would be guided by fairness and balanced development across the three senatorial districts.
He urged residents to protect the electrical installations from vandalism and ensure their effective use for the benefit of all.
Governor Ododo explained that the project would stimulate economic growth, improve healthcare services and enhance education across the state.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to implementing people-centred projects that directly impacted the lives of citizens.
In a further show of appreciation to President Tinubu, Ododo said, “We can’t forget the support of Mr President, which has made governance easy for us. We’ll continue to work tirelessly to ensure that Kogi State progresses and our citizens benefit from our policies.”
The Commissioner for Rural and Energy Development, Engineer Muhammed Abdulmutalib, expressed gratitude to the governor for his concern for the welfare of Kogi people.
“It is with profound joy and unwavering dedication to rural development that I welcome this landmark occasion – the official flag-off of Phase One of the installation of 30 units of transformers across the three senatorial districts of Kogi State, equitably,” he said.
“This initiative represents a significant stride in fulfilling His Excellency’s commitment to the welfare of the people of Kogi State and our communities. This gesture will stimulate economic growth and elevate productivity across the state.”
The ceremony marked a major milestone in Kogi’s efforts to improve its power infrastructure and ensure reliable electricity for its citizens.
NGO urges young entrepreneurs to uphold integrity, people-centred values
The Leader Team Champions has called on young entrepreneurs and businesspeople to embrace the principles of integrity, hard work, fairness and prioritising people over profit as the true measures of business success.
The President of The Leader Team Champions, Kris DenBesten, made the call during the 2025 SHINE Conference held in Abuja.
In a press statement signed by the Programme Manager, Omachoko Arome, and made available to journalists in Lokoja on Monday, DenBesten disclosed that the conference was designed to inspire participants to live out the principles through service, integrity, continuous growth and impactful relationships anchored in reverence for God.
According to the statement, “The Leader Team, a non-profit organisation dedicated to building communities through leadership empowerment and job creation, successfully hosted the second edition of its annual SHINE Conference in Abuja.”
It added that the SHINE Conference was the organisation’s flagship initiative, created to promote SHINE core values — Serve Others, Honour God, Improve Continuity, Navigate by Values and Excel by Relationships.
This year’s edition, themed, ‘Next is Now’, brought together over 400 entrepreneurs, business leaders and mentors from within and outside Nigeria at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, for a full day of learning and transformation.
Delivering a session on ‘Purposeful Leadership’, DenBesten, who also serves as Board Chairman and President of The Leader Team, emphasised that genuine business success went beyond profit and was best defined by impact and integrity.
He urged participants “to shine for the line and honour God in their businesses and workplaces.”
Speaking on the organisation’s growing influence in Nigeria, Shiloh Karshima, Executive Director of The Leader Team, disclosed that “We have trained and supported 74 businesses in Nigeria who are now committed to leading with integrity and creating sustainable living wages so that everyone can live well and lead well.”
Since its inception, The Leader Team has trained and equipped 74 businesses across Nigeria, irrespective of religious affiliation, to promote redemptive entrepreneurship that prioritised people over profit while embedding SHINE values in their business operations.