Governor Yahaya Bello has pledged to improve the living standard of the people by improving on what his administration inherited.
Gov. Bello reiterated his commitment leave Kogi better than he met it while receiving members of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji Study Group in Lokoja on Monday.
Bello disclosed that he has been able to manage the state‘s resources equitably, reason for his administration giant strides.
He described the theme of the study tour as apt and timely in the nation’s life, said he has remained sincere in leadership, with no pecuniary interest other than those of the people.
Upon his assumption, Gov. Bello disclosed that he inherited a State largely divided along ethnic and other mundane lines, but expressed satisfaction that his administration has dealt a heavy blow to insecurity and other maladministration associated with governance in the State.
Gov. Bello said he has remained transparent with managing the State‘s resources by opening up the books of income and expenditure for the people of State to see through, explained that the people are able to trace government expenditures to his activities, through transparent allocation of the states resources, thus making the people now more better informed of happenings.
While describing Kogi State as a divers State, Gov. Bello attributed his ability to reducing youths restiveness by bringing in a large poll of the younger generation of Youths and women into his administration, a factor he noted has helped greatly in reducing tension and acrimony.
Gov. Bello said he was also able to bring each and every segment of the State together as one with the Youths now in the driver’s seat of administration, through gainfully employing them through several social intervention Programs.
The Governor pointed out that he has made the Youths in the State occupy the driver’s seat, leading to development and the success of the administration unlike in the past when they were relegated to the background.
While pointing out that the challenge facing the nation is majorly attributed to the youths, said having broken class barriers, engaging students and children of nobody’s in his administration, has made the State an envy, promised to live the State better than where he met it.
Gov. Bello described the team’s visit to Kogi State as very important, described the State as a better place to learn, particularly with a lot of human and natural resources that abound the State, disclosed that more than 85% of People transit and live Kogi on a daily basis peacefully, makes the State very strategic for the team’s learning.
While underscoring the importance of the location of Kogi State to the nation’s development, the Governor explained that just few days ago that the flood ravaged the State leading to blocked of movement to the North and South, said it affected the socio economic activities of the country, reason why Kogi State Gov. Bello said needs to be given a special attention.
Earlier in a remarks, Air Vice Marshall, Anthony Oluwarotimi Tuwase, Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, said the team was in the state to have a first hand information of the state economic growth, income, employment status, poverty, inequality, riches, agriculture and the overall transformation of the state
Air Vice Marshall Anthony commended the efforts of the State Governor towards the advancement of the socio economic development of the people, said the theme of the study tour is youths unemployment and national security in Nigeria, will make recommendations as it relates to youths empowerment.
Air Vice Marshall Anthony praised the achievements of Gov. Bello on youths employment, education, health, agriculture, funding governance, infrastructure, human capital development, entrepreneurship, youths engagement and security, a feat he explained makes the state a place for learning by the study team.
Established to train members of the armed forces particularly middle class, Air Vice Marshall Anthony said the tour aims at preparing the officers towards handling greater tasks and to familiarize the students with socio economic issues affecting the State.
Similarly, the tour he added aims at exposing the students to the realities on the ground in Kogi State under the leadership of Gov Bello, to enable the team compare with what they have been told, acquit themselves of challenges of the State compared to other States and in writing research paper, towards ensuring adequate security in the State.
Air Vice Marshall Anthony sympathized with the State over the recent flood, commended the State Government efforts that ensured quick response and in mitigating the effect.
Also speaking, the team leader, Brig. Gen. M. Isah, Director Administration, Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, holds Kogi State at heart, said they are in the State for a diligent study as it relates to youths unemployment and national security in Nigeria
He noted that the team is made up of 73 students, in the academic, administrative, and supporting staff is one of the eight team simultaneously visiting eight state‘s in the country.
