Governor Yahaya Bello was born on June 18, 1975 to the family of late Alh. Ipemida Bello and Hajia Hawawu Ochi (may Allah be pleased with them) at Agassa in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Gov. Bello had his early education in a public school at Agassa. Being the last child of family of six, Gov. Yahaya Bello lost his father at a very tender age. However, the situation didn’t deterred him as he continued his education pursuit and graduated from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria as an accountant in 1999. He also obtained Masters in Business Administration from the same school in 2002.
Upon graduation, Gov. Yahaya Bello did his one year National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) program at Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) in Abuja.
Due to his display of unique intelligence, capacity and commitment to duties, the young Yahaya Bello was immediately employed to work at Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission where he rose to the position of Assistant Chief Accountant.
After years of public service, Alh. Yahaya Bello resigned to become a successful business man as the Managing Director of Fairplus International Ltd – a business organisation he successful managed and provided hundreds of jobs for the youths across the country before he finally ventured into active politics.
In 2014, Alh. Yahaya Bello contributed to the formation of a mega party, All Progress Congress (APC) because of his unflinching support and love for President Muhammad Buhari using his personal resources.
Alh. Yahaya Bello purchased fleets of campaign vehicles and other electioneering materials in support of the party and its presidential candidate. Alh. Yahaya Bello was also the Director of Kogi Youth Arise Forum for the success of APC election in Kogi State.
In August 2015, Alh. Yahaya Bello, supported by young and energetic people of Kogi state, contested the gubernatorial primary election under All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kogi state and was the first runner up with 701 votes. The death of our leader and party’s candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu (may Allah be pleased with him) on 22 November 2015 before the conclusion of the governorship election paved way for Alh. Yahaya Bello to replace the deceased as the party candidate by the national leadership of our dear party.
The strong, young and energetic Yahaya Bello won the December 5 2015 supplementary election which was conducted in 91 polling units across 18 local governments area of Kogi state.
Alh. Yahaya Bello was sworn in 27th January, 2016 as the 6th Executive governor of Kogi state.
GYB As Agent Of Unity In Kogi State
On the 27th January, 2016 shortly after his swearing in as the Executive Governor of Kogi state, His Excellency, Gov. Yahaya Bello announced the appointment of Edward David Onoja as his Chief of Staff. Gov. Yahaya Bello later renamed Kogi State University, Anyigba to Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba in honour of our late former governor and leader of the party.
The Governor again appointed a woman, Mrs Folashade Arike PhD from Kogi West as Secretary to the State Government while he prevailed on the former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Momohjimoh Lawal to relinquish the speakership position in the interest of unity and progress.
On the 9th of February, 2016, Gov. Yahaya Bello sent Elder Simon Achuba’s name to the House of Assembly as Deputy Governor nominee and he was subsequently sworn in as the Executive Deputy Governor of Kogi State. Commissioners, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, heads of parastatals and agencies were equitably distributed among the three senatorial districts of kogi state.
Recently, His Excellency, Gov. Yahaya Bello averted an impending crisis between the amalgamated northern traders and the people of southern Nigeria over farmers Gerard crisis. Gov. Yahaya Bello led the peace committee that saved the country from hunger and economic collapse.
Gov. Yahaya Bello’s giant strides in Kogi state ranging from civil service reform, his unique and exclusive security ideas, infrastructural developments, health care services, direct foreign investments job creation will be x-rayed in my next publications.
Women and Youths in Governance
When it comes to the ability, capacity and political will to avail women and youths of Kogi state the opportunity to showcase their talents in governance, Gov. Yahaya Bello’s model is before the United Nation (UN) to be adopted by member states.
Gov. Bello appointed women of virtues and impeccable characters to serve the government. 21 local governments elected vice-chairmen are women, 4 out of the 21 local governments councilors in each local governments are women, while their respective legislative council leaders are also women.
Secretary to kogi state government, the state head of service, Director-General, Kogi State Pension Commission, Vice-Chancellor, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Provost College of Nursing and Midwifery Obangede, Provost Kogi State College of Education (Technical), Kabba are all positions occupied by women.
The Nigeria Council for Women Society singled out our amiable governor, His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Bello for outstanding award for going above the UNESCO recommended achievements on women inclusiveness in governance. Gov. Yahaya Bello was also the first to appoint a woman as his Aid De Camp (ADC).
His Excellency, Gov. Yahaya Bello, 70% of the Commissioners, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistance, Chairmen and Director-General of most Departments and Agencies in Kogi state are young people in their early 40s or between the ages of 30-40 years.
Gov. Yahaya Bello, again in his unique and exclusive leadership style, accorded the deserved respect to the traditional institutions in Kogi State. The governor is constructing or in some instances renovating the palaces of our revered traditional rulers to a befitting status.
Recently, His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Bello approved the grading and up grading of over 74 traditional stools in Kogi State. The governor has given traditional rulers their pride of place which were hitherto lacking in the past.
At this point that Nigeria’s unity is being threatened and the country is immersed in serious security challenges amidst ethnic agitation, the quest by the people of Nigeria to demand for the service of a young, energetic, experience, united and acceptable leader like Gov. Yahaya Bello to reposition the nation is now a matter of necessity.
With Alh. Yahaya Bello as President come 2023, the efforts of our heroes past shall never be in vain.
– Yakubu Itopa (Pure) writes from Okengwe in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State.
