Sept. 25, 2025
The Kogi State Government says it has acquired 30 minerals titles spread across the 21 Local Government Areas of the State to boost its revenue base and economic growth.
Mr. Bashiru Gegu, Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, made disclosure at the Grand Finale of the 2025 Kogi State Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) Press Week on Thursday in Lokoja.
The theme of the Press week is “Kogi State Solid Minerals: How Journalists Can Drive Development.”
Represented by Abdulsalam Hudu, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Gegu emphasised that Kogi is richly endowed with various solid minerals such as iron ore, limestone, coal, gold, and tantalite.
He regretted that in spite those minerals, the mining sector has remained largely untapped.
“The good news is that Gov. Ahmed Ododo’s administration has started something by acquiring mineral titles, which it has increased from the existing 15 to 30 across the state.
“The acquisition of the minerals titles is basically to shore up the state’s revenue base and economic growth.
“Kogi has also gone ahead and acquired mining equipment for the tapping of the minerals to boost development and reduce reliance on oil revenue.
“The equipment include high grade excavators, loaders, dump trucks amongst others, which will greatly help us to compete with mining companies,” he said.
He said that Ododo’s administration had prioritised the development of the solid minerals sector, in view of its potential to drive industrialisation, job creation, and revenue diversification beyond oil.
He added: “With the acquisition of the minerals titles, the state is poised to become a major player in the solid minerals industry.
“The government is committed to ensuring that the sector is developed in a sustainable and responsible manner.
“The expected development is expected to open up multiple streams of revenue that would boost all-round development in the state”.
The commissioner charged journalists to play a pivotal role in driving development in the solid minerals sector by promoting responsible mining and sustainable development.
The guest Speaker, Dr. Tope Joel, highlighted the role of the media in ensuring the actualisation of the goal of harnessing Kogi’s solid mineral deposits for economic development.
Joel urged Kogi government to establish a solid mineral development company with a directorate to regulate and closely monitor mining activities.
“The media should play a proactive role in reporting on mining activities to help harness Kogi’s solid mineral deposits for socio-economic development, ” he said.
Earlier, Mr Adamu Seidu, the Council Chairman, Kogi NUJ, appealed to the state government to restore end-of-year financial assistance to its members and fulfill its promise of providing a brand new bus for the Union.
Seidu also urged the government to renovate the NUJ building and the Lord Lugard wooden house in the NUJ premises.
He commended the Ododo led government for creating a peaceful and conducive environment for the media sector to thrive.
He highlighted some of milestones achieved by the Council to include the revival of the NUJ clinic and construction of an overflow attached to the Council hall.
Seidu also mentioned the challenge of funding being faced by the Council to run the secretariat and pay staff.
The event also featured the conferment of awards on notable personalities and government officials, who have made positive impacts on the society. (NAN)
