In continuation of his review of Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello’s eight-year governance legacy in Kogi State, Prof. Mainasara Isah Katagum, National Coordinator of Democratic Values and Good Governance Advocacy Forum, has shed light on the “profound achievements of the immediate past Governor of the state in Kogi East,” describing the performance as “massive.”
Bello’s leadership, spanning from January 27, 2016, to January 27, 2024, undergoes scrutiny through a comprehensive review mechanism by the academic don aimed at advancing democratic values.
Addressing Kogi’s emergence as a state on August 27, 1991, Prof. Katagum emphasized the divine orchestration of Bello’s governorship and his proactive approach to addressing challenges such as security issues, an inflated civil service, and economic strains heightened by the global recession.
In this second phase of the review, focusing on Kogi East, Prof. Katagum spotlighted substantial developments in the largely Igala and Bassa-dominated region. The accomplishments according to him include the construction of vital roads like Ibana/Okpo-Ogugu/ Ette Road and Idah / Ajaka / Ejule/ Ayingba junction Road. Additionally, Bello’s administration connected the entire Kogi East to the National Grid, boosting power supply across the area.
Other notable achievements in Kogi East spotlighted by the professor include rehabilitation roads projects, township road constructions, a new ultra-modern clinical complex in Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital, Ayingba, and control of gully erosion in specific areas. Notable amongst the Gully Erosion Control are the Ogugu and Ogane Aji gully Erosion Control. The administration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello also focused on education, with the construction of science secondary schools and payment of West African Examination Council (WAEC) and Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) fees for secondary school students to alleviate economic challenges across the Kogi East and Kogi State at Large.
The administration was responsible for several other Major infrastructural projects in Kogi East , project that have direct impact on the people. To foster unity and bonding, Alhaji Yahaya Bello constructed a complex where the people carry out essential functions that promotes the value and developmental programmes of the Igala People (the Igala Unity House, Anyigba). He also went further to carry out the construction of Bassa township road.
Looking ahead, Prof. Katagum revealed that the next phase of the review would concentrate on the Central Senatorial district, promising a continued exploration of Bello’s governance impact across Kogi State.
