Alh Jibrin Isah Echocho and Hajia Salamatu Baiwa are two worthy Igala son and daughter who have impacted on the lives of Igala people and the Igala nation.
While working in Afribank, Alh Jibrin Isah Echocho empowered many Igala people through employment in the bank. He built places of worship for both Christians and Muslims in his Ajiolo village in Dekina LGA. He built school to enable the children of the less privilege have access to education.
These are few among many things he did for his people while he work in the bank.
Alh Jibrin Isah Echocho out of love for his people decided to seek for a larger platform to serve his people and the entire Kogi states. In 2011, he decided to contest for the primary election under the PDP. He won the primary election and became the candidate of the party. Due to the legal issue surrounding the tenure of then Gov Ibrahim Idris, there was a tenure elongation for Ibrahim Idris and the Kogi gubernatorial election was shifted forward.
Like a day robbery, the mandate of Jibrin Isah Echocho was stolen by his own kinsmen not withstanding the huge personal resources he had put in during the primary.
All efforts aimed at reclaiming his mandate through the courts proved abortive as money and influences were used by his own people who subdued him.
In 2015, Alh Jibrin Isah Echocho took another shot at the Kogi gubernatorial election by contesting under PDP. This time, he was outrightly rigged out of the primary election. Out of frustration, Echocho had no choice than to dump the PDP for the APC.
While in APC, Alh Jibrin Isah Echocho was standing on one foot like the proverbial hen that usually stands on one leg whenever in a new environment.
Behold, a voice beckoned to Alh Jibrin Isah Echocho to stand firm on his two feet and get ready to be given a platform to serve his people. The voice was that of Alh Yahaya Adoza Bello, the governor of Kogi state.
Bello assured Echocho of his support for the APC’s platform to run for Kogi East Senate. Today, Echocho is the Senator elect for Kogi East.
Hajia Salamatu Baiwa is another worthy daughter of Kogi state. While working in FAAN, she influenced the appointment of Kogi East youths into various cadre of employment in her agency.
Unlike those who are rumored to be collecting N2 million naira per job placement, Hajia Salamatu Baiwa gave out her jobs slot free of charge.
Kogi East had high expectations from her. Like a candle light that was just put on and its illumination was awaiting, the unexpected happened; Hajia Salamatu Baiwa was conspired against and removed from her position as Director of Human Resources in FAAN. The whole Kogi East was thrown into a sober mood for her due to her love for her people.
Once again, a voice called upon Hajia Salamatu Baiwa not to worry that she would be helped to get on her feet once again. It was still the same familiar voice; Alh Yahaya Adoza Bello was at the call again.
Despite all odds and against his own sister from Kogi Central Senatorial zone, Dr Ramatu Tijjani, he projected Hajia Salamatu Baiwa for the position of APC national women leader among his colleagues governors. Today, Hajia Salamatu Baiwa is the National APC women leader.
“Hater of the Igalas” is a joke I considered incongruous with reason and polite conversation. Gov Yahaya Bello, please hate us more.
– Hon. Obochi Samuel
