It was an exciting moment on Thursday as Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo defied the heavy rain to visit an Okun elder statesman, Chief Benjamin Olowodola.
Gov. Ododo, the Chief Servant of the people Kogi State and his entourage,in spite of the heavy downpour, drove into the house to honour Chief Olowodola.
The Governor, who warmly received with rousing ovation, said his visit was part of his resolutions to acknowledge the fatherly roles and contributions of some renowned elders in the state towards the educational and political growth of Kogi State.
He added that the homage would also serve as an avenue to tap from their wealth of experience, as well as seek their hands of cooperation and collaboration in taking Kogi State to the desired enviable heights.
“I am here to thank you for your prayers, your political and educational efforts in the advancement of our people, and your standing for the betterment of the state.
“I want to thank you very much for your humanitarian services to our society.
“I want to assure you and all other people like you that, my team and I, will continue to put in our best in our quest to put Kogi State on the path of Secure, Economic, and Educational enviable track,” Ododo stated.
The assured the elderstateman that the people of Kogi would never regret the overwhelming support they gave him during the November 11, 2023 governorship election.
He added: “By the grace of Allah, Kogi people will not regret their choice of electing me as their governor, which ĥas further been confirmed by the courts in the land, including the Supreme Court.
“Our people will, therefore, have reasons to rejoice again because we will leave no stone unturned in our developmental stride. With this determination, we are confident that Kogi State shall be a better place for all.
“I am equally assuring you of our total commitment to the development and well-being of the people of Kogi state.
“My team and I are in government to serve the people and to make sure that life becomes a lot more meaningful.
“We are resolute in using governance as a tool for development that is centrally driven by people’s interest,” the governor said.
In his response, Chief Olowodola, applauded the governor for the August visit despite the heavy downpour.
“This action is nothing but a proven act of humility and honesty in his Excellency’s decision to bring peace to Kogi State and especially to my own abode,” he said.
The elderstateman commended the governor for maintaining peace, unity, and tranquillity in the state.
He said: “I want to state that indeed, in the last eight months of your assumption of office as the state governor, we have witnessed a very unbiased and consistent turnaround in so many areas of development across the state.
“I appreciate you and your team who have been working tirelessly to give the state a facelift.
“For me, I know too well that there are so many challenges faced by the state before your assumption of office”.
Chief Olowodola specifically commended Gov. Ododo for prioritising the security of lives and properties of residents of the state.
“We commend your efforts in infrastructural, educational developments, including the prompt and full, (no longer percentage) payment of civil servants salaries to both the state and the local government workers.
He thanked God for the governor’s banishment of percentage payment of civil servant salaries in the State.
“During this space of time of your assumption of office as our governor in Kogi State, you have convincingly pursued the visions we all have for the state, which is to be ” People Centered”, and to ensure that the good people of Kogi State are put first in our hearts.
“We thank you for sharing that clear vision. What this translates to is that you shall continuously collaborate with all meaningful people to ensure that the people of the state enjoy dividends of democracy under your administration,” he said.
He, therefore advised the governor to sustain the present tempo and the good name he is building for himself and the state at large and that he should not in any way be distracted by anything.
Chief Olowodola stressed the need for more collaborations of well-meaning Kogites to join hands with the governor to ensure that Kogi State is placed in enviable heights among the comity of states in Nigeria.
Chief Olowodola prayed God to grant the governor divine guidance wisdom and knowledge in all ramifications in his sojourn as he continued to govern the state in good faith.
