“As a child, it always gladdened my heart whenever I have the opportunity to render assistance to some people. It is always a thing of joy for me whenever there is an opportunity for me to extend benevolence to humanity, as givings has become a passion for me.
“And the opportunity to demonstrate my passion came when I got employed by Total Nigeria plc. I was able to use my vantage position to add value to my people and our land. I couldn’t get full satisfaction because of my limitations. However, the opportunity for me to expand my passion came when I was appointed about three months ago as the Administrator of my local Government council.”
These were the words of Hon. John Aduga when he marked his eventful 100 days in office.
Hon John Aduga was born in 1980. He earned both his ND and HND in Marketing from Nassarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia. On graduation, he was employed by Total Filling station Abuja. He later founded Aduga Foundation and Aduga Network , the platform he used and still using to uplift his people.
He hinted that in his quest for more service to humanity, he veered into politics where he played active roles in the sustenance of APC in his community. Until his appointment recently, he was a strong pillar of APC in Ankpa Local Government Area, Kogi State.
With the appointment, the burning flame of development in him manifested with catalogue of landmark projects ever known to the LGA since its creation many decades ago.
Despite the paucity of fund in the Council, he was able to within the 100 days mark in office, made his impact in the health, education and agricultural sectors, not without his massive investment in the security, works, social infrastructures and taking over 300 teeming unemployed youths out of the streets in less than 100 days of assumption in office.
Speaking to this reporter during the facility tour, the Administrator commended Kogi state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for giving him the opportunity to serve his people. He equally acknowledged the massive support of the people for his administration that has brought about modest facelift of the area.
He noted that the purpose of marking the 100 days is for them to take stocks of what they have been able to do and how best to keep improving on the efforts.
He assured the people that with their support and commitment to the ideals of his administration, sky will be the starting point of development for the people, stressed for their commitment and sacrifice to making Ankpa Council a model in the state.
Hon. Aduga explained that his desire for food security knows no bounds as fertilizers which was hitherto a scarce commodity for farmers were procured and distributed to farmers at subsidized rate even as tractors and other farm implements were sourced and made available at little or no cost to the farmers.
On the road construction and rehabilitation, the young Administrator has made a mark as roundabouts in the Ankpa metropolis were being remodeled while feeder roads were opened up which has given rise to socio-economic activities across the LGA.
As an employer of labour, the Administrator stated that he felt fulfilled whenever one person is gainfully employed hence the establishment of Operation Clean Ankpa (OCA) to making Ankpa the cleanest LGA has so far employed over 300 youths who are contributing their quota to the development of the LGA.
He believes that a healthy people are wealthy people, hence, the construction of borehole in some healthcare centres, offsetting bills of the indigent at the general hospital Ankpa and outright reconstruction of health clinics in remote areas thereby bringing health care delivery closer to the people.
According to him, it is his nature to serve the people and therefore , he cannot misuse the opportunity that God has granted unto him for self serving, hence, his call for the lovers of development to join hands with him to move the Council forward for the benefits of all and sundry.
He explained that with the support of the governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the cooperation of the good people of the LGA, he was able to execute over 40 people oriented projects.
Corroborating the Administrator, his Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon Sunday Jeremiah hinted that on assumption of office he virtually met nothing on ground as many of the utilities have gone obsolete and non functional.
He noted that, the Administrator has to mobilize his personal resources to give facelift to deplorable educational infrastructures across the Local Government Area.
He specifically constructed block of classrooms and renovated some schools in the rural communities even as chairs, desks and tables were provided to enhance learning and teaching.
He added that the Administrator’s new approach to governance which is people centred has transformed the LGA that has made politicians of varied parties to flock to the APC as Ankpa LGA is now home to APC.
Hon. Jeremiah called on well meaning citizenry of the LGA to join hands with the government to deliver dividend of democracy to the people while challenging politicians to make development the epicenter of their clamour for positions.
