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The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has assured civil servants and pensioners in the State that modalities are being worked out with labour leaders to pay them their salaries.
Governor Bello gave the assurance on Tuesday when he received in audience the executive members of the Okun Development Association (ODA) at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Lokoja.
He said his government was working assiduously on modalities that would ensure all “civil servants and pensioners are paid up-to-date” and the issue put behind.
According to the Governor, though resource are scarce, his administration would continue to do its best to ensure the dividends of democracy across boards and the interests of the people protected.
“I wish we had have half of the resources past administrations had, so much is competing for the lean resources at our disposal, we will not hesitate, we will do all that we need to do as a government, because we cannot afford to fail our people,” he added.
Governor Bello expressed appreciation to the people of the state for their compliance in allowing peace reign supreme in their various domains, adding that the people have chosen to live in peace, even though security agents have been at their best.
He assured of his willingness to leverage on the robust relationship he enjoys with Mr. President to ensure the people of Kogi State are not left behind in the scheme of things.
The Chief Executive appealed to the people of the state to desist from dragging the image of the government and the state in the mud, stressing that citizens who engage in such acts only do that at their own peril as they also end up de-marketing themselves.
The Governor commending the leadership of Okun Development Association (ODA) for their maturity, he described their traditional institutions as true representatives of God on earth and assured that a new Obaro to pilot the kingdoms affairs was soon to be announced later this week.
While speaking on the coming elections, he called on the people of Okun to look inwards and ensure they are mindful of the individuals they send to represent them at the hallow chambers in the next elections.
Earlier, the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Matthew Kolawole while intimating the Governor on their resolve to visit him, he appealed to Okun people to continue in unity, love and loyalty and not to jeopardize the bond the Okun and the Ebira’ had back then in Kwara State.
“Remember that some couple of years ago there was a bond, Okun and Ebira did things in common, we need to reignite that synergy, and that’s the more reason why we need to support Governor Bello for second term mandate,” he explained.
According to the Speaker, it is the first time since the creation of Kogi State that the people of Okun would have it so good in the appointment of their sons and daughters into key positions in a government.
“Kogi State is our Jerusalem, let’s come together and support whom God has given us. In political life, if you pursue an ambition and it doesn’t work, give glory to God and continue with your life. Let’s go back home and preach Governor Bello that God has given us,” he admonished.
Also speaking, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Edward Onoja said the Governor came on board as a detribalized leader, with the determination to rewrite the wrongs of the past.
Hon. Onoja noted that prominent individuals mounted pressure on the Governor at a time to substituted the SSG since the Speaker was from the West but the Governor rebuffed since they were doing their jobs well.
The Chief of Staff, urged James Faleke to make amendment with God for refusing to represent his people as the number two citizen in the state, stressing that “it is God who gives power to whom He pleases.”
Hon. Onoja said if James Faleke had placed more priority on the representation of his people (the Okuns) rather than self he would have considered the Deputy position which was the initial position contested for by him.
In his remarks, the National President of the ODA, Barrister Femi Mokikan said ODA is the umbrella body of the social cultural people of the Western Senatorial District with an authority to speak on behalf of the people of Okun as it pertains to their welfare and general interest.
Barrister Mokikan said history would be written by the ‘New Direction Government as the opportunity Governor Bello has given to Okun people to serve in his administration would not got without reciprocation, stressing that the government has done the right thing in its fierceness to ensure the government gets rid of ghost workers from the system.
Credits: Halima Isa | Inside Story
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