Our nascent democracy is still undergoing a full birth process. We are aware, I would also like to accept our challenges while jubilating with our gains of success areas. In Kogi State for example, we have democracy to celebrate in the following areas:
1. There is full scale security in the state, highest since its creation in 1991. It has arrested the menace of kidnapping, armed banditry, cultism and thuggery. There is democratization of movement in peace and security, courtesy of the strive of Governor Yahaya Bello’s Government.
2. Organized Thuggery has been buried without traces. We whence lived in seasons where thug lords controlled different parts of the state by creating a parallel government. With the instrumentality of violence and intimidation, they cowed our people in fear ann subjugated their rest of mind in perpetual slavery. With this democracy, we can sure celebrate the burial of thuggish intimidation.
3. Open Door Policy of the New Direction Government has broken down the barriers of communication between the masses and those in government. We now see efforts in opening access to every citizen with a view of having people-tailored-policies built on their constructive criticisms and feedbacks.
4. There is freedom of thought, speech, opinions, religion and associations. These elements are embedded in the creed of democracy. The widespread blackmailing of the government on all fronts is still tolerated under the purview our openness to democratic tenets. The cabinet combination of His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello also recognizes the religious dynamism of the state, thereby, eliminating all forms of religious intolerance, monopoly and hostage taking by adherents of any faiths.
5. Youthful penetration in Governance is the hallmark of a rejuvenated system that is visionary. The Kogi State Government has saturated young people in power by walking the talk when other states in Nigeria are still “considering” the thought. Kogi State has the youngest cabinet in Nigeria with young, resilient, hardworking and educated people elevating the status of governance from the claws of gerontological mediocrity. It is a stamp that young people would continue to manage power because the future belongs to us.
As we all look into the gains of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the Not Too Young to Run Bill, into Law. In Kogi state, Governor Yahaya Bello has signed the Youth Enterprise and Commission Bill, sponsored by the Majority Leader of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Ahmed Mohammed of Ankpa 1 State Constituency into Law. This is the first in Northern Nigeria, second in Nigeria.
This would lay an epoch foundation for the future of Nigeria, which is a Government to be controlled by young people after his tenor. In the pool of our challenges as Nigerians and Kogites we shall not also fail to recognize our gains.
God Bless Nigeria and the good people of Kogi State.
– Promise Emmanuel (Kogi Rebel).
