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By Mike Wada
Inspite of the various distractions since his coming on board as governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello has remained focused and unwavering in the task of administering the twenty-five years old state.
The coming to power of Governor Bello, remains a divine mystery, following the death of Prince Abubakar Audu. This event has helped shaped the life of Alhaji Bello, who is the 4th democratically elected governor of the state.
A closer look at the leadership style of the young governor shows that he is communicative, thus making him to have a grasp of the need of the people.
Amongst some qualities that have stood out governor Bello in the task of governance is his collaborative ability to lead, setting aside ego, while creating an environment of safety and trust.
So far, the last 365 days on the saddle as governor has shown that the state, unlike in the past has an ambitious governor, not for personal gains but only for the success of a state battered by poor leadership since its several years of creation.
With a conviction and personal determination to succeed, it is worthy to note that the leadership style of Governor Bello has created a paradigm shift, with citizens now committed to work, excellence and equipped to drive the task of having a new direction agenda.
Though the governor could literally be said to have inherited a state that was sick, challenged with months of unpaid salaries and pensions owed retirees, an empty treasury, alarming level of insecurity and a dysfunctional infrastructure, Governor Bello methodologically went about state anomaly that prevailed.
Knowing fully well that past leadership have either failed to plan for the state, as governance was based in the past on temperament of the leadership. The present governor put in place a committee tagged New Direction Agenda to help work out a process through town hall meetings and dialogues with critical stakeholders on ways of moving the state forward in terms of needs assessment.
Governor Bello’s personal commitment to implementing the recommendations of the committee to the later has since manifested in the execution of recommended projects, policies, strategies in steering the ship of the state.
The Blueprint which can best be described as a road map to deliver comprehensive and accelerated development of the state in all areas, has no doubt endangered the sense of belonging that is witnessed in the state today.
Part of the Bello’s agenda include quality and free affordable education for all, quality and affordable healthcare, transportation, security of lives and properties and food security.
Furthermore, shelter, job and wealth creation, long life expectancy and enterprise development as well as creating more jobs through Agriculture, Mining and Small and Medium Enterprises formed the cardinal of the Bello’s agenda.
It is worthy to note that the present administration has since made Local council administration potent and effective. This the governor achieved through the autonomous status that was seen by past governors as a misnomer.
In the area of fight against corruption, Governor Bello has not hidden his hatred for corrupt tendencies. Today, the fear of public officers in dipping their hands into government finances is the beginning of wisdom. Some public officials have had to be prosecuted and probed.
As a change agent, the governor made his administration to join the campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari, to change the way and manner affairs of administration are hitherto run in the state, noting that “change begins with me”.
Today, the present administration has set up for accountability purpose a panel of judicial commission of enquiry to look into the management of state resources by previous administrations.
It is agreed by political pundits that this approach portends greater benefit for the Kogi society as it would help strengthen institutions rather than focus on individuals as was the case in past probes.
One other plus for the one year administration of Governor Bello is its policy of inclusiveness, with preference for merit. Persons are appointed based on merit and not on ethnic configuration. Fairness, equity and justice is the trademark of the Bello administration in its one year in office.
Towards daring to be different, the administration has chosen to take the bull by the horn. The state civil service was a rot before now. It was the only industry profitable to a few cabal in the state. This young man has however demystified the ghost worker syndrome with a screening that has ensured that only genuine workers are on the payroll of government.
The exercise, though challenging has provided a window for some few human errors through a 32 man Appeal Committee. The good news however is that, presently over N1.5 billion is monthly saved as money that should ordinarily go to the unintended beneficiaries. The sanitization rather than make the governor unpopular, is a blessing in disguise as monies saved is now being channeled into other areas that needs attention.
Within a year in office, the Bello’s administration, amidst limited resources is equally focusing on the delivery of several projects. The administration aside making completion of some inherited projects a priority, has initiated new ones in line with its New Direction policy.
Major amongst these projects that are ongoing include: Lokoja Township roads, Idah-Anyigba road, Agassa road, roads in Okene, Kabba and Iyara.
Furthermore, work is on-going at the Diagnostic and Imaging Centre, Lokoja, Ganaja Otokiti byepass, remodeling of Kogi Hotels, Beach embankment and shoreline protection works, Lokoja.
Others are sundry electricity supply and installation works over the state, water and sanitation projects across the state, renovation of infrastructure, supply of books and other educational aids to educational institutions.
Works has been completed in the State House of Assembly and Judiciary complex, thus making the governor to have raised the bar of governance in terms of fairness, diligence, equity and justice.
The last one year has seen Governor Bello proved that governance is all about the people as he has walk the talk and dares to be different amidst initial challenge at take-off amidst paucity of funds. It is normal to state therefore that Governor Bello is re-inventing the wheel of governance, a departure from leadership that has always been centred on temperament to one in which a science based approach that puts the people first, matched with available resources is made his utmost priority.
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