Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has inaugurated the HOPE Programme Steering Committee (PSC) and the Unified Technical Working Group (UTWG) to drive the implementation of the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) Programme in the state.
The HOPE Programme is a World Bank-supported initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It is designed to strengthen governance, improve learning outcomes in schools, enhance primary healthcare services, build the capacity of teachers and healthcare workers, and promote fiscal transparency and accountability.
The inauguration was carried out by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Joel Salifu, on behalf of the Governor, in Lokoja on Friday.
The event witnessed the inauguration of the three sub-components of the programme; HOPE-GOV, HOPE-PHC and HOPE-EDU; to be chaired by the Commissioners for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Health, and Education, respectively.
Charging members of the Steering Committee and the Unified Technical Working Group to justify the confidence reposed in them, Governor Ododo described their appointment as a call to service and urged them to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, professionalism, transparency and dedication.
According to the Governor, the Programme Steering Committee will provide strategic leadership, policy direction and oversight for the implementation of the programme, while the Unified Technical Working Group will coordinate implementation, provide technical guidance and monitor programme activities to ensure the successful delivery of its objectives.
Governor Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing the enabling environment for the successful implementation of the programme, assuring of sustained collaboration with the World Bank and other development partners to ensure the initiative delivers measurable benefits to the people of Kogi State.
“The HOPE Programme presents a unique opportunity to deepen reforms in governance, improve learning outcomes in our schools, strengthen primary healthcare services, enhance the capacity of teachers and healthcare workers, and promote fiscal transparency and accountability. These are priorities of our administration,
“Your appointment is a call to service. I urge you to carry out this responsibility with integrity, transparency, professionalism and a results-oriented mindset. Let every decision you take be guided by the collective interest of our people, particularly our children, teachers, healthcare workers and the vulnerable who stand to benefit from this intervention,” he said.
The Governor congratulated members of the committees on their appointment and charged them to work with unity of purpose, remain accountable and justify the confidence reposed in them as they implement the programme across the state.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adeiza, and the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Ojo Jones, described the inauguration as a monumental and historic milestone, noting that it is a key requirement for Kogi State to benefit from the World Bank’s Programme-for-Results (PforR) under the HOPE Programme. They expressed confidence that the implementation structure put in place would ensure the successful execution of the programme across the state.
They explained that the World Bank credit facility would strengthen primary healthcare, improve education, and enhance governance through greater transparency and accountability. The commissioners assured that all stakeholders would work in synergy to achieve the programme’s targets, describing it as a privilege for members to be entrusted with the responsibility of serving on the committees.
Members of the HOPE Programme Steering Committee are: Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA – Chairman, Mrs. Folashade Ayoade, Secretary to the Government of Kogi State – Alternate Chairman and Coordinator of Government-wide Decision.
Other members are: Hajiya Falilat Yusuf Musa, Esq., Head of Service – Member; Hon. Idris Asiru, Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning – Member; Dr. Abdulazeez Adeiza Adam, Commissioner for Health – Member; Hon. Wemi Jones, Commissioner for Education – Member; Hon Abdullahi Bello, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs – Member; Hon. Acharu Okpanachi, Commissioner for Women Affairs – Member; Hajiya Habiba Onumoko, Accountant-General of the State – Member; Alhaji Yakubu Okala, State Auditor-General – Member; Dr. Muazu Omeiza, Executive Director, Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency – Member; and Hon. Abdulrazaq Muhammed, Chairman, Kogi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) – Member.
The Unified HOPE Technical Working Group comprises: Pharm. Ramat Molo Aliyu – Coordinator; Dr. Muazu Omeiza, Executive Director, Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Board – Member; Hon. Abdulrazaq Muhammed, Chairman, Kogi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) – Member; Mr. Olajide Samuel, HOPE-GOV Desk Officer – Member; Dr. Bola Emmanuel Kelvin, HOPE-PHC Desk Officer – Member; Mr. Sunday Salihu, HOPE-EDU Desk Officer – Member; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health – Member; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning – Member; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education – Member; Director, Debt Management Office (DMO) – Member; Representative of the Accountant-General – Member; DLI Head for Primary Healthcare (to be nominated by the Commissioner for Health) – Member; DLI Head for Education (to be nominated by the Commissioner for Education) – Member; DLI Head for Governance (to be nominated by the Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning) – Member; Khamis Yusuf Mohammed, Esq., Representative of the Ministry of Justice (Legal) – Member; Head, Payroll and Biometric Verification Unit – Member; ICT/Data Analytics Specialist – Member; Representative of the Civil Service Commission – Member; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Policy Coordination – Member; and Dr. Sani Ozomata, Technical Adviser to the Governor on Multilateral and Donor-Funded Projects – Member.
