Spread the love
The Attah Igala, Dr. Micheal Ameh Oboni II, yesterday described Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, as a leader with great vision and dedication despite his young age.
The monarch spoke when he led a large delegation of his people, in company of his chiefs, to thank the governor for reviving his people’s lost culture by lifting the ban on certain festivals and for all the other good things he had done in the state.
The Attah noted that certain Igala festivals were banned over 65 years ago due to overzealousness by some people. He said that despite the fact that state had been led by three former governors, who came from the Igala area of the state, none of them restored the festivals.
“Governor Yahaya Bello is one that understands the value of culture and when he came, he felt something was missing and chose to act,” Dr. Oboni said.“Culture is everything. Our language, attitude, proverbs, way of cultivating farms are all ways of expressing culture. Some of our culture lost its potency and became adulterated.
“We are happy someone has come to wipe our tears. Our festivals were erroneously proscribed and we pray for those who did it to be forgiven. We are here to show our appreciation to the governor for lifting the ban.”He also praised the governor for not allowing his youth to hinder him from delivering the dividends of democracy to the people, despite the many political distractions he encountered daily.
According to him, it was clear that Governor Bello is determined to leave Kogi State much better than he met it.“The development he (Governor Bello) has started in our area is unparalleled in the annals of the history of that area,” the monarch said. “Even if you stop there today, you have done more than any other person who has come before. We should be grateful. He is a very young man. Some of them are old enough to be his father but what did they do?
“For bringing us out of the dungeon and into the light, forever and ever, the Igala people will never forget you.”In his response, the governor said he was happy that his dream to unite Kogi people across religious and ethnic lines was bearing fruit.
He said: “I am not here to play politics with the lives of the citizens of Kogi State,” Governor Bello said. “Given what we have done in two years, we have been getting good results. But we felt something fundamental was missing. We identified that thing as the core value of our identity.
“We have concluded that whatever landmark achievements we have in terms of projects, programmes and policies, we would not have the desired results unless we revive our cultures and traditions. We have achieved that to a great extent, hence the lifting of the ban on the rich and proud culture and festivals of the Igala Kingdom. These were banned years before my birth. I pray that they will foster unity and development in our state.
“I am happy to announce that all the people from the three senatorial zones now see themselves as one indivisible entity. I urge everyone to note that we must come together to celebrate this culture.”
The Kogi State governor criticised successive administrations for neglecting this very vital aspect of life and blamed this neglect for the rise in crimes among the youth as they no longer respect traditions.
Bello said he looked forward to the first festival to be organised by the traditional leaders, adding that such events would boost the economy of the people.
He thanked the monarch for continuously preaching unity and love to all in the state, even as he gave assurance that, despite the lean resources at the state’s disposal, all ongoing projects would be completed within his first term.
“I want to announce to you, Your Royal Majesty, that the road from Shintaku to Gbokolo that crosses from Bassa to Dekina and to Ayingba will be handled by Julius Berger. We are going to give you the best in your Kingdom because the Igala people deserve the best.
“Also, before the end of the first term, the Kogi State University Teaching Hospital, Ayingba, will be built from scratch to completion and well equipped. I assure you that the College of Health Technology, Idah, will be revived and given the structure and equipment it deserves,” he told the delegation.
Leadership can report that this announcement by the governor has ended speculations that the state government had planned to relocate the College of Medicine to the Central Senatorial District of the state.
Governor Bello promised to continue to be fair and just in all he does while in office. Meanwhile, the Kogi State House of Assembly passed a vote of confidence on the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, saying he deserved commendation for his outstanding performance in his numerous development feats across the length and breadth of the state.
In a matter of public importance moved by the majority leader, Hon Hassan Abdullahi (representing Ajaokuta State constituency) yesterday, he said the governor and his deputy, Elder Simon Achuba, following the New Direction Agenda, had engaged in programmes which include youth summit, education summit, security and investment summit, and infrastructure and utility exposition.
In adopting the motion, the House said it was passing the vote of confidence on the governor due to the enormous work executed in the state and his plans to take Kogi State to the next level of development to make it compete favourably with other states of the federation.
Credit: Leadership
Spread the love
