November 22, 2015 is a day the world, Nigeria and particularly kogites will not forget very easily. It was on this day that kogi was turned into a black day, it was supposed to be a day of joy for Kogites whom have put together their resources, wealth and strength to see prince Abubakar Audu become governor of kogi state but alas, it turned otherwise as he died midway into results collation. His death was the first of its kind and so caused a quagmire which many are still unsatisfied with the resolution that came afterward till date.
Prince Abubakar Audu having clearly won the election based on the results collated before his unfortunate death was substituted with Alhaji Yahaya Bello as APC flag bearer in the supplementary election which later held on fifth December, 2015. Whereas the nomination was opposed by some faction of APC, contestants of the ill fated election and a significant number of Kogites, the governor has come to stay. In the light of the foregoing, “Having Alhaji Yahaya Bello As Govenor Have Been A Gracious, Eventful But Sorrowful One year”.
The grace is the surfacing of many record breaking developments that ordinarily seem impossible based on the dynamics of the state politics hitherto. This include an Ebira man ruling kogi state, a youth been the governor and state executive council been dominated by a cabinet of thirty to fourty years average. Furthermore in the many gracious development is how people have managed to survive amidst unpaid salaries.
As for the events. Kogi State has been a hub of so many but unexpected events over the last one year due to one circumstance or the other. This events ranges from degradation of values, constitution and reconstitution of committees, money spray via exorbitant purchases and industrial actions against government by labour unions and student unions in the state. It is during this past one year that the state was held at an almost twelve hours standstill for the very first time by organised student bodies whim were using this medium to express solidarity with civil servants and by extension register their grudges with the state government over unpaid salaries.
Unfortunately, the sorrowful accounts recorded in Kogi state over the last year is nothing to talk about. Many of the wounds are yet to be healed, hearts are still bleeding, homes are in abject poverty, businesses are folding up and welfare is deteriorating as a result of only and jut one government excess-improperly organised staff screening and verification exercise. As productive as it is to rid off ghost workers from government pay rolls, the consequences of its failed process is most time worse than the essence. Many homes have been thrown into hunger vis-a-vis this exercise, whether or not the government initially meant well, the backdrop seem more of victimization than verification.
It is therefore sorrowful for a staff whom have been in the employ of Kogi state for over twenty years to be retrenched midway to retirement. It is sorrowful for a government to be feeling at ease while a good number of the citizens obviously find it hard to have a tree square meal. It is sorrowful for a state that is so technologically advanced to the point of branding policy makers digital to find it difficult to conduct staff screening and verification exercise after about two consultations. It is pitiably sorrowful for a state which majority of its economic activities rely on civil servants comfort to suspend payment of salaries because of verification exercise.
The sorrows are countless but I prefer to remote the count to civil servants plight as that is the most unspeakable sorrow the state is facing in recent time. The governor should be informed that the exercise was an obvious downsize rather than verification. Many staff, particularly at Kogi State University Anyigba were declared ghosts on the grounds that their employments are politically motivated. What! Is it a crime to be employed by a recent government? Whether yes or no, the state government must realise that government is successive and some day, this reign will be over. So, it must make a turnaround as it shall only he remembered by the imprints it shall make in people’s life and hearts.
By and large, because I so much believe in a prosperous and great kogi state. I want to use this medium to congratulate his Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the executive governor of Kogi state and all his appointees whom have been a part and parcel of the decision makings in this government thus far. As unsatisfying as the first year seem to sincere Kogites, this government still have the time to make amends by implementing policies that will better the lot of Kogites. But then, this will only be a reality when it rises above generalizing constructive criticisms as a work of opposition. Moreover, a stitch in time they say saves nine.
God Bless Kogi State
God Bless Federal Republic of Nigeria
By Comrade A. M. Nasir
naadejohs@gmail.com
07068416768
You can follow me on twitter via @amnasiru
