Three Years On: Kogi is A Work in Progress by Abu Micheal

Within the last three years, Governor Idris Wada, has taken several decisions that have properly affected the course of governance in the State.

With a blueprint aimed at connecting with the envisioned vision of the founding fathers of Kogi State, watchers of events in Kogi State conclude that Capt Idris Wada as governor has met the yearning and aspiration of the people.

It is in this consciousness that many are beginning to situate that another term in the office for Capt. Wada, a man whose socio – economic activities has galvanized a moral crusade for a rebirth, will mean more growth and development for the State.

On most counts, analysts are unanimous, that another term in office for Wada, which would be founded on public good and going by the altruistic fundamentals as showcased by the intellectualism in his programmes and policies, is why he should be encouraged to run.

A summation of the way and manner Capt. Wada has driven governance so far, shows that the man is imbued with a huge sense of service.

With programmes on going to place Kogi State on a new era of true greatness, Kogi State is believed and like any other developed society will grow to greatness if another opportunity is given to Capt. Wada to consolidate on the vision, great management of resources as well as ensure the leadership that would enable the state attain its capacity and to reach its nadir.

Just like J. F.Kennedy’s postulation, Kogi State no doubt needs leaders of inspired idealism, leaders to whom are granted great vision, who dream greatly and strive to make their dreams come true, who can kindle the people with fire from their own burning souls.

This is exactly what Capt. Wada going by his leadership records and convictions in the last three years has been able to prove on the sanctity of selfless service, grand vision, integrity and the courage to stay the course he represents.

A man who has been prepared for his today’s role as a consumable intellectual, one who sees the correlation between the impact of his long years in private service as a preparation for what he is going through today, the wheel of development seem to be on course in Kogi State.

Concerned about the drive for a greater relevance for Kogi State in the scheme of things, Capt Wada has always said that the drive to maximize the state’s rich potentials is now, particularly in tackling poverty, unemployment amidst plenty.

A man who reckons with the notion of attitudinal change in the state’s politics, without mincing words, the Governor has raised the bar of quality politics by identifying the issues of good governance and development as his sole purpose for being in governance.

A man who is not associated with combative politics, for Capt. Wada, governance is aimed at creating public value and enhancing citizen’s satisfaction by way of an enabling environment of equal opportunity, inclusiveness and the rule of law.

Today, it is not in doubt that a new set of values that reduces inequality, injustices has been made possible by Capt. Wada. This entire feat Capt Wada was made possible by re inventing the ladder of social progress which has realistically assisted those who are disadvantaged.

A man who well fit into the next dispensation, a dispensation of continuity and consolidation, Capt. Wada has combined his meritorious private sector background, his antecedents, as a great thinker and strategist to move Kogi State steps forward in the last few years.

There is no gain saying the fact that under Capt. Wada, the state needed true transformation. There was the need to overhaul all the various systems from education to the economy and infrastructure.

Beyond sweet talk and abstract slogans, one will not be far from saying the truth, Kogi is on the threshold of genuine transformation, evidenced in outstanding results and the peace and tranquility that abound the state.

The continuity and consolidation project being clamored for by those who certainly are in the majority, is purposefully aimed at lofty accomplishments in all sectors that was begun by the present administration. This if achieved according to many, would place Kogi State under a hard-working servant leader, with integrity, who presently is at the helms of affairs for another four years would make the state a model, a bastion of development, that is driven by public private partnership.

With an abiding faith in Allah and will of the people, which has remained the cornerstone of his aspiration, making a case for the Governor for a another new era to take the state to another height of greatness, to say the obvious is a patriotic call for the state to make the desired and speedy progress.

That the administration has remained efficient, even though some very few may claim that the state is still not where it ought to be, however signals a renewal of hope that we are on a march as a people to greatness.  What is equally more important is that, Capt. Wada has also shown that so much can be achieved if the leadership is consistent, focused and purpose driven. In concluding, the last three years of Wada in all honesty, putting empirical evidenced of growth and development, peace and tranquility into perspective, was geared towards truly serving the people.
Since his assumption of office as Governor of the Kogi State,Capt Idris Wada’s emphasis has been on expanding the frontiers of infrastructural and human capital development in the State.

In the last three years of the Capt Wada administration, in line with his driving force of a legacy of continuity of completed projects the governor inherited from previous administrations in the State, he has since completed them and began embarking on new ones.
Projects such as the olympic stadium, secretariat complex, confluence beach, about thirty seven roads projects inherited amongst several others were completed by the present administration.
Without mincing words, and for sustaining the tempo of development initiated by the previous administration in the state as well as setting a new agenda, the Capt Wada’s administration, by virtue of its record breaking efforts in meeting the yearning and aspiration of its citizenry, is writing its name in gold and for posterity.

It is noteworthy that despite the shortfall in fiscal allocation from the federal government, the Wada led administration has been able to pay workers’ salaries regularly, and embarked on life impacting projects, including youth employment and empowerment, as well as providing micro credit schemes among others to vulnerable groups.
Aside the increase in the internally generated revenue of the state from N150m to now between N500m to N600m monthly, Capt Wada has cut down on recurrent expenditure drastically, made capital expenditure higher in votes and stopped frivolous expenditures by government ministries, departments and agencies.
The Governor has also demonstrated that as a Governor he ought to be transparent and accountable, runs the state in a manner that is in line with best practices.
The State Governor has equally changed the mindset of many Kogi populace by his people oriented programmes that is geared towards improving the standard of living of people of the state.
This he has done by uplifting the standard of learning and teaching at all levels of education in the state.
Similarly, over 10000 youths have been engaged under the youth advancement programme of the state government.
Also over 120000 indigenes have received free treatment surgery and laboratory examination under the state government organized quarterly free health programme.
This is aside the renovation of all state general hospitals across the state as well as upgrade at the state specialists hospital, Lokoja. A college of medicine has also commenced at the state university.
The governor has equally facilitated the granting of soft loans to market men and women of the state to either own their business, improve, learn different trades and handwork.
The agriculture sector also benefited greatly from the governor’s initiatives with the sector experiencing great transformation.
With a well planned dry season rice farming, that places emphasis on the planting of cassava and other crops the state has comparative advantage, the state is on the verge of becoming the food basket of the nation.
Capt Wada has also improved on the road network of the state, by dualising and reconstructing major roads to ease traffic across the state. Aside the construction of township roads across the Local government areas of the state, the government has opened a new town that is offering new socio-economic opportunities following the opening up of the new Otokiti- Ganaja bye 16km pass road.
The present administration of Capt Wada, with sincerity of purpose has no doubt delivered the gains of democracy to the people even amidst scarce financial resources.
It is therefore not out of place to say Three Years On: Kogi has remained a work in progress and truly on the march to greatness

This piece was sent in by Abu Micheal, Chief Press Secretary, Kogi State Deputy Governor.