An unsung hero is one who received little or no praise for doing hard work and achieving results through bravery, intelligence, determination and commitment towards a set goal, agenda or line of duty. In the same vein, the chief of staff is a high ranking cabinet member or a principal staff officer of government and in this case serves as the Governor’s liaison with the state executive branch, organization of daily schedules, develop and maintain government policy towards diligent implementation. Undeniably, the chief of staff is the engine room of the governor’s office.
Alh. Ali Bello prior to his appointment in January 2024 as chief of staff to the incumbent Kogi governor, he is a close relation and confidant of former Governor Yahaya Bello. Hence, the 8years administration of Gov. Yahaya Bello saw Ali Bello playing very important roles that helped the new direction government record significant success.
Though, Ali is highly intelligent and reserved nephew of the former governor, he was seen to have worked behind the scene and contributed immensely to the successes of the immediate past administration in the state. Until his current appointment, the public had little information about the youthful and energetic chief of staff to Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo.
Government House sources and some senior government officials who worked with the last administration described Alh. Ali Bello as a positive catalyst behind the scene in the corridors of power that deployed his administrative dexterity and managerial acumen in ensuring major legacy projects of former Gov. Yahaya Bello administration were executed exactly as conceived.
According to verifiable sources, Ali has positive involvement in the successful conception and execution of the iconic Ganaja flyover in Lokoja, the remodelled Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre, major infrastructural developments in the state tertiary institutions and of course road projects across the state to mention but a few.
Despite his abundant wealth of experience, and obvious visionary traits, young Ali Bello is also blessed with wisdom and maturity of an elderly person positioning him as the centre of government infrastructural operation. He is a simply a dependable pillar and trusted ally of the former governor.
Apart from being a nephew of the immediate past governor, political pundits, critical party stakeholders and government officials viewed his appointment as the chief of staff to Governor Usman Ododo was largely due to his intellectual endowment, vast administrative experience, strong analytical skills, and his inherent capacity to drive programmes and policies of government.
However, just like his boss, Alh. Ali Bello is a highly reserved fellow by nature whose own philosophy of life is to focus on assigned duties, and delivery on set goals. He believes in collective achievements and positioning his boss to take credits rather than deploying resources on media propaganda to promote and oil machineries for inordinate ambitions.
Alh. Ali Bello’s humanitarian and philanthropic gestures are also overwhelming and highly commendable. His foot print on human capital development especially youths and women empowerment remain indelible and visible even to the blind.
Alh. Ali Bello’s style and person differs in so many ways. Rather than mounting road blocks and making access to Gov. Ododo a herculean task, Ali Bello instead provides a seamless process between the citizen and their amiable governor.
From the information gathered so far, chief of staff, Alhaji Ali Bello is a very humble, hardworking, resourceful, intelligent, innovative and dynamic public office holder. Even those who have come in contact with him in the last 8months testify that the young man is discharging his official duties creditably, with profound positive impact on good governance in Kogi state.
I pray Allah to strengthen his capacity to do more as I wish him a successful tenure in office.
Abdulmumin Abubakar writes from Okene, Kogi State.
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