By Prince Suleiman Adinoyi.
All around the globe, political leadership is expected to be founded upon public trust. This principle applies even in cases where leadership positions are inherited. It serves as the primary rationale behind the high regard given to leaders in even the most influential kingdoms, as they are seen as individuals of exceptional pedigree and integrity.
Special Adviser to Kogi State Governor on Domestic Affairs, Engr Abdulrazaq Aminu (Okakanda) has described Governor Yahaya Bello as a leader who strived to embody these virtues in the character he projects, then serve the people as representative example, by making a conscious effort to maintain discipline and transparency while upholding principles of justice, fairness, and equity to the best of his abilities till date.
Okakanda stated that Governor Bello knows if he slips, he will draw the ire of the people and embarrass himself, and the consequences are usually grave. Therefore, he jumped a ticking time bomb that could have exploded leaving multiple casualties by ensuring he is accountable to the people of Kogi State.
The special adviser, while narrating some critical standpoints, said Governor Bello has exhibited inclination to dividends of democracy to the residents of Kogi State, stressing that with the emergence of Alh. Ododo Ahmed Usman, Kogites will benefit a lot more in the next administration.
Engr. Abdulrazaq stated that out of Governor Bello’s uncommon dividends of democracy to the people of Kogi State is his attention in health sector which are establishment of a world class reference hospital in Okene, the construction of ultramodern clinical complex at University Teaching Hospital in Anyigba, renovation and remodeling of the entire Kogi State Specialist Hospital Lokoja, construction of an ultra-modern administrative and psychiatric department in the state capital, construction of a new ultra-modern general hospitals in Eganyi Ajaokuta LGA and Gegu- Beki, Kogi LGA, a midas touch in college of Health Science and Technology Idah, College of Nursing and Midwifery Obangede, rehabilitation of health care facilities in Okengwen, Gboloko, Ogodo in Ankpa LGA, Iluke in Ijumu, Eika, Ogori-Magongo etcetera.
On roads, Okakanda said there have been rehabilitation of Lokoja township roads, rehabilitation of Shintaku/Gboloko/Dekina Road, Ijowa-Jege-Ife-Olukotun roads, Ankpa township road, some kilometers of roads in Ogori-Magongo LGA, Okene Eba-Agassa, Okengwen, Ipaku-Osisi roads, Ozu’waya-Iruvucheba roads, Eika roads, Okene-Adavi roads and many more.
The special adviser added that Alh. Yahaya Bello is aware that rural electrification is pivotal to industrial development and catalyze the economy of the state, he intervened and restored power to Ogori Magongo community, Isanlu community, Takete Ide, Amuro, Ayede communities, electrification of Abejukolo in Omala LGA after 9 years, the Lokoja (Banda)-Kotokarfe electrification projects.
“The Governor Bello’s administration has as well executed projects in the education sector such as construction of of GYB Model Primary Schools, Remodeling of our legacy schools across the state, construction hostel, libraries in some LGAs.
“The settling of traditional disputes and installation of Royal Fathers, grading of royal stools, robust relationship and enablement of peace and unity with the Traditional Rulers and aliens in their domains such as the Fulani, Tivs and many others.
“The dangers of any administration is when a neophyte is elected as a leader to preside over the affairs of a state. The case of Alh. Ododo Ahmed Usman is different knowing that he was the egg yolk of the Governor Bello’s administration and was instrumental to the above-mentioned achievements,” he added
Hon. Okakanda reiterated that Alh. Ododo Ahmed Usman, while working for his mentor, has shown a good example of a servant leader by emulating Governor Bello and executing analogous of those achievements in some areas of the state.
The special adviser further revealed that the Governor-elect singlehandedly sponsored construction of ultramodern clinical complex in Upogoro in Okene LGA which has been rendering services to people across the state. Provision of textbooks to students across schools in the state, construction of some km roads in Adavi LGA, donated transformers, contributed heavily to community event centres across state, sponsored people on scholarship within and outside the country.
“The emergence of Alh. Ododo Ahmed Usman as the 6th Executive Governor of Kogi State can be described as a big fortune to the people of Kogi State with lots of benefits abounds. It will be wonders when he hits the ground running,” he said.
