Bashir Opaluwa Idris
The Kogi State House of Assembly has confirmed the reappointment of Hajia Mariam Ozioma Abedo as the Director General of the Kogi State Pension Commission, alongside three Commissioners and a Part-Time Chairman.
Those confirmed as Commissioners are Umar Suleiman Isah, Suleiman Aliu Yakubu, and Ibrahim Baba Muhammed, while Usman Lukman Adedayo was confirmed as Part-Time Chairman of the Commission.
The confirmation followed a letter sent earlier by Governor Ododo and read at plenary by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf.
The nominees who introduced themselves and responded to questions from lawmakers during the screening exercise, particularly on the backlog of gratuities and pensions were asked to take a bow after being found suitable to serve in the Kogi State Pension Commission.
The House subsequently adopted the report of the Committee of the Whole and confirmed the nominees through a voice vote presided over by the Speaker.
Following the voice vote which confirmed the nominees, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, congratulated the newly confirmed Director General, Commissioners and Part-Time Chairman of the Kogi State Pension Commission.
While urging the nominees to justify the confidence reposed in them by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and the Kogi State House of Assembly, the Speaker emphasized that pension matters are sensitive and directly affect the welfare of retirees who have served the state diligently.
He therefore charged the appointees to ensure transparency, accountability and prompt payment of pensions and gratuities.
Speaking with Journalists shortly after her confirmation, Hajia Mariam Abedo assured pensioners of better days ahead.
“Pensioners should know that a good time is coming. They have a Governor that cares so much about them. They are all going to smile. That is the message I have for them. They are going to smile. They are going to be happy.”
While noting that she was overwhelmed by the calibre of stakeholders who accompanied her to the Assembly, Hajia Mariam pledged not to disappoint the confidence reposed in her.
Recall that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had, on February 10, 2026, forwarded the names of the nominees to the House for appointment as Director General, Part-Time Chairman and Commissioners of the Kogi State Pension Commission, following the completion of their first tenure.
Hajia Mariam Ozioma Abedo was first appointed Director-General of the Kogi State Pension Commission (PENCOM) in August 2020 by the administration of former Governor Yahaya Bello.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State House of Assembly also screened and confirmed nominees for the Kogi State Bureau of Public Procurement.
Those screened and confirmed are Hon. Justice Sunday Omeiza Otu as Non-Executive Chairman and Ehimony Sunday Joshua as Director General of the Bureau.
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