The world is made up of three category of people, the first are those who who make things happen, te second are those who watch things happen and the third are those who wonder how things happen. However, in life; especially political life, we have three kinds of people but with different analogy, those who can do it, those who want to do it and those who keep saying the want to do it. Therefore, it is on the basis of political life that I will access the new direction office holders as the are marking one year in office.
Honestly speaking, leadership in kogi state is one of the most complex in Nigeria due to the dynamics of ethnicity, religion, pressure, expeditions and composite awareness of the citizens. However, it is the easiest if you have a genuine intention and requisite know how of things cum what to do, when to do and how to do. A popular adage has it that life is not how far but how well, unfortunately, the new direction government wants to mark far in so much hurry and that has been the genesis of her poor performance thus far.
The government seem to be in so much hurry to commission projects, the appointees seem to be so desperate at impressing the “Ogas” and the supporters are so seeking for relevance that they have professionalized in sycophancy and exaggerations. Hence, the government may not even know the true level of its performance within the inner circles due to this unfortunate configuration of its structure. But then, truth stand out clear from falsehood if only the ideal decoders are willing to accept.
Apart from rural water resuscitation and provision of transformers for improved electricity in some designated communities, this government has not commissioned any project that has a telling impact on the citizens and this is the reason I keep saying “Hon Enema Paul Is The Only Man Standing In The New Direction Government”. Other projects may have been commissioned without my knowledge but I can bet they are not to the direct benefit of improved welfare of citizens. I remember vividly well how tax payers money was expended on an economic trip to Asia or thereabouts but up till date, the impact hasn’t tell on the state.
Like few others who genuinely wants to serve, Hon Osikoya at the ministry of Environment is carrying out great overhaul but impacts are not forthcoming. Hon Salisu Ogu recently commissioned Kogi express but alas, I doubt if the operations are still on. Almost six months later, the ministry of youths and sport development is yet to come up with any empowerment scheme that will justify the State’s commitment to youth development. I do not even know Kogi State commissioner for Education, now gone where those days when Kogi state government organises series of primary, secondary school debate/quiz completions. While I would have said the commissioner for health is trying, inability to settle dispute with Medical associations have placed his performance in doubt.
Most worrisome is the fact that after one year in office, the major commissioned projects were just two-Kogi state Sustainable Development Goals office and Board of Internal Revenue office. Kudos I must say! However, this two projects has no impact in improving revenues or social welfare, it only gives facelift to staff administration and management. But then, most of this civil servants are yet to be paid and I wonder if air conditioned office can truly and genuinely pay bills.
It is my hope and advise as a way of conclusion that appointees of the new direction government revisit their event plans and come up with projects that will improve welfare rather than the jamboree “we shall do this, we want to…we will” and all that that has been the characteristics so far. Furthermore, the image makers of this government should upgrade and focus more on issues based publications rather than seeking updates to respond to. That is what they have done majorly until this time but I pray everybody within the structures of this government will now settle down for effective services delivery.
Finally, just like Hon Enema Paul who have so distinguished himself into an epitome of servant leadership via result oriented stewardship, history will be kind to whoever upholds this standard for remembrance is a function of legacy be it good or bad.
God Bless Kogi State!
Comrade A M Nasir writes from Minna, Niger State
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