As a matter of brotherhood and spirit of patriotism the Writer felicitates His Excellency, Governor of Kogi State, Alh. Ododo Ahmed Usman, on recent victory in the Supreme Court judgment despite not unexpected. Because the victory recorded during the 11 November 2023 gubernatorial election, was overwhelmingly glaringly clearly visibly won as correctly affirmatively declared by the INEC. Premises on this basis, challenging the victory worth nothing than wandering in the wilderness, perambulating about exhausting energy, time and resources, searching for roads and back doors where none existed. Thus, that Ododo’s galactica team fantastically tactically mesmerizingly knocked out the contending teams by three against zero, is basically anticipated from the outset. And very interestingly, it could be compared to inter-relationship between politics and soccer, where the “Political Maradona” of Kogi politics, Governor Ododo scored three great goals with the “leg of God” to win the priceless trophy, unlike how the late Maradona of Argentina scored foul goal that football pundits described as “hand of God”, to lift World Cup trophy in 1986.
Notwithstanding the grounds taken by the gubernatorial candidates who filed suits against Ododo in the courts of law, the pulchritude of democracy is meant for electoral results to be legally challenged. And since the judiciary legally ruled that he was duly legitimately electorally elected Executive Governor of Kogi State, Muri Ajaka and Co, are expected to join him in building a new state of every Kogi indigenous dreams. Where development would be driven projective-like, and where equal sense of belongingness would become the hallmark of our common identity, being unique group of people united under one: umbrella, purpose, vision and family. Complementarily Governor Ododo statements while, granting press briefing on arrival in Lokoja after the Supreme Court’s verdicts, calls on all Kogites to support his administration’s and promises to rule with fear of God.
Like Martin Luther King Jr’s said in his famous speech: I have a dream that, “One day America will be ruled not by the colour of the skin but by the contents of character”. The Writer also has a dream that one day, Kogi State will be governed neither by the factor of tribe’s that gubernatorial candidate’s belongs nor by the language its speaks. But by equality, fairness and sharing of power.
Constructively enough the 8th Kogi State Assembly, constructed a foundational reference concerning power rotation clause ere expiration of the tenures of the former governor Yahaya Bello. What is left entailed the political actors and actresses in the state, to support present administration’s implemented establishment of power rotation law among the three senatorial districts. The goals when attained, would create a window for sustenance and maintenance of equal rights and values. Also, it will catalysed fertilization of harmonious co-existence and purposeful unity.
Although so many editorialists, are pessimistic on the ability Governor Ododo possessed towards transformation Kogi State. Recalling the walking from 1991 precisely 27 August when Military President Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida created Kogi State, scales and hurdles crossed so far made the pessimists lost hope. Possibly they forgot Kogi is under Executive power of incumbency of a “flower gem”, who is committed dedicated devoted to real transformations of the state. All hope has been renewed, recounting his precedence since assuming office. His ascensions brought about fresh breezes ventilating economically polluted atmospheres, and providing strategically sophisticated security among other salient achievements less than 366 days in office.
The Writer has a dream that, Kogi State shall be great again if all Kogites put their hands on the deck’s, to contribute ideas, provide initiatives and support the state government towards attainment of the new status and developmental changes.
If Ajaokuta Steel Company had been operating on a full scale, apart from direct employment creation it would also, opened self empowerment opportunities, attracts quality transportation means such as good roads, railways, airport including dredging of River Niger for cargo ships to conveniently sailing on, and so on. Why the company is yet developed to standard since establishment in 1979 by President Shehu Shagari, is never caused by the Kogi State Government. Whereas, two major factors caused the comma. Termination of Shagari’s led government, and negligence of the project by the successive governments. Ajaokuta Steel Company belongs to the people of Nigeria bearing national face ergo, remained priority of every Nigerians local and international urging the federal government of Nigeria, to provide immediate attention and solution to the moribund project. With steel manufacturing, Russia, India, Japan, are examples of some countries which have turned around there standard and fortunes becoming recognised members of the global power. Russia for example, has the highest potential of Nuclear weapons on the cosmos. Nuclear power in this European age, is explored for energy generation, providing constant power supply, which is the most important factor of industrialisation advancement.
On the part of Governor Ododo, his accents to Kogi State Energy Agency bill in to law, signified his commitments to ensuring constant power supplying, keyed in establishing industrialising initiatives in any illustrative state. Energy generation has different sources through which it can be channelled and tapped. Apart from hydro means, solar can be explored. Kogi State Energy Agency can look outward to collaborating with established solar power generation company, to construct at least mini grids across various quarters within each local government areas in the state, or better still create ‘Kogi Electricity Company’. This will enable fostering constant power supply, contribute to employment creation and provision, increase power accessibility at the local level, and increase internally generated revenue.
Take note, Africa has the largest mineral resources deposits globally, Nigeria has the highest mineral resources deposits in Africa, Kogi State has the highest mineral resources deposits in Nigeria. So it is not sugar coating tongue’s, to be optimistic about the transformation of Kogi State. The dream as reality contents that, would be dawn in the morning as long the state remained. What the Writer recommended Kogi State Government needed do, is suggesting to the federal government, to borrow ideas from the wealth of knowledge of Mr. Yoweri Museveni, the President of Uganda. Who insisted that no Uganda’s mineral resources would leave the country unless interested mining and manufacturing companies decided to sit their firms in Uganda. And today based on his recent statements, Uganda now has about 17 refineries. Thus should windows of internal and external developers opened in mining and manufacturing any of the available mineral resources, total ownerships should not be transferred or concord in the contractual agreement. The case study of how Obajana Cement Company changed to Dangote Cement Company overnight, is greatly pathetic because, Kogi State has no stakes in the largest Cement Factory in Africa located on his soil.
That sometimes promoted Aliko Dangote, to occupying first position in the Forbes magazine rating of the richest black man on the planet. There is no need going down the memory lane on how it was transferred but, all thanks to former Governor Yahaya Bello, who uncovered the unholy contract signed by the previous state government’s with Dangote. The implications is that Kogi State has no employment quota on the company’s list which ordinarily, should have been the last hope for the graduates and skillful youths from the state to access employment.
Furthermore when there is fluidity in transportation networking services that, easily connected the three senatorial districts, inter-connecting would be taking place across the major markets very easily. For examples, someone from Ibaji in Ibaji local government areas, seeking to convey commodities to Egbe in Yagba West local government areas, or from Akutupa-Kiri in Kabba/Bunu going likewise to Adogo in Ajaokuta. This would make prices of farm produce fair and also, enhancement accessibility of comparative advantageous goods across the state.
In that case, rail transportation is idealistic than roads. Because rail transportation means is cheaper, has capacity to connect and open even the remotest villages, durable and boost commerce and industrialisation ideology. Connectivity of community to community, local government areas to another has been very poor because, of dilapidated conditions of some roads across the state though specifically these are federal roads. This condition, has caused skyrocketing fares charged by the motorists. Thus within the same region, communication and information passages are rather done easily and better through mobile means, telecommuting, social media rather than visitations.
For example in Kogi West where the Writer hails from, travelling from Kabba in Kabba /Bunu local government areas to Egbe in Yagba West local government areas, which ordinarily should not have been more than 2 hours now takes almost 24 hours. Can you imagined the stress and cost of fare? Asphalt roads have proven to possess non durability characteristics due to the soil texture. Ergo if Kogi State Government could tergiversate towards rail constructions, as an alternative to provision of good transportation means, or resorted to constructing concrete roads that Dangote’s philosophy has proven the most suitable supplements to constructing durable roads in Nigeria.
Moreover the enemies of former Governor Yahaya Bello might have being camouflaging under the image of EFCC, to witch hunting him. But history would be kind to him for, the Reference Hospital built at Okene in Okene local government areas by his administration’s, christening of Prince Audu Abubakar University Anyigba in Ankpa local government areas, Confluence State University of Science and Technology Osara in Adavi local government areas, Kogi State University Kabba in Kabba/Bunu local government areas.
There is no need saying, it was Kogi money used in building those infrastructures. Because, they are properties of the state not Governor Yahaya Bello’s. Facts finding by reputable investigative Journalist, Babajide Otitoju, confirmed the sophistication of the hospital.
Notably Gov. Ododo, has shown commitments to making grassroots access quality health services with approval of constructions of 63 Public Health Centres. The gesture, is commendable and applaudable.
And of course, about the universities, no sooth Sayer is needed, to predict there attractions of development, not only to the areas they are located but the state and entire country.
Considering the areas of tourism. Kogi has potentials to generate good revenue. If its maximised the functioning of the business.
There is Inikpi statue at Idah in Idah local government areas which reserved patriotic history, Obangogo Hills at Kabba in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Areas, Ovia festival at Ogori in Ogori/Magongo local government areas, Omoloro, Oluko, Awaja, and Aheta Rivers at Iyamoye in Ijumu local government areas, masquerades festivals and the most magnificent palace in West Africa called the AZAD palace at Okene in Okene local government areas, Omi River in Yagba West local government areas, Agbara Akin games reserve in Mopa/Muro local government areas, and so on. These have potentials, to generate handsome revenue that can be used for development, if strategically tactically logically harnessed.
What about the areas of security that, as been of major concerned for the past a decade? Based on the wave and menace of insecurity roving around the 6 geopolitical zones including the FCT, past state government under Yahaya Bello, ensured security became priority on the lists of his agenda through adequate funding. The essence made Kogi been rated among the most secured states in the country, and one of the designated for resettlement of the internally displaced persons. For example, some of the Tiv tribe’s from Benue state now found their new happy homes in Kogi state.
More also, the current government is consolidating on its predecessor’s feats, and remarkably its efforts has been churning out credible results. Governor Ododo has increased funding for security, providing new vehicles and sophisticated arms to the security men. Hence there is low rates of insecurity because, the lacuna that can served as the perpetration harbingers, as been mended by Ododo’s brilliant and intelligent leadership. Apart from the presence of the Nigeria Army, the men of the Nigeria Police, NSCDC, SSS, Vigilantes groups and Kogi communities, are cooperatively assisting the state government’s to curtail excesses of security threats. The crime of kidnapping, thieving, has gone down drastically, and in situations where it occurred, victims and properties are being safely rescued.
Ordinarily Kogi State has agricultural values to feed itself and also, sells for revenue generation. But for the kamikaze invasions of farms by the herders and other criminal elements, killing and invoking fear in the minds of the farmers, people tended to abscond farming occupation. For example around 2022, many Kogites depended on the Fulani settlers, who sells tomatoes, beans, potatoes, pepper, okra, melons etc cheaper than the selling prices in some markets. While those who are aborigines flee from their farms, for fear of being attacked or killed. But Governor Ododo’s administration, is working round the clock apprehending criminal elements and driving out criminality making Kogi state’s peaceful.
However difficult transformation of Kogi might look, it can only be possibly impossible when the state and non state actors, refused to cooperatively coexisted. Leaders of political parties that lost elections, do not needed to abandon their contribution towards the advancement of the state. Firstly as good indigents, and secondly as positive groups that craved better governance. They could contribute initiatives capable of aiding the state government, provided prudent leadership essential in making live more: easier, happier, livelier, lovelier and mightier.
Commendably elan and folksy Governor Ododo, ahoyed all Kogi indigenes to support successfulness of his government. He has built a bridge for reunification with all well meaning Kogite, the onus is on those concerned to take the olive branch.
So, Muri Ajaka, Olayinka Braimoh, Dino Melaye and other gubernatorial candidate’s, who contended and losed in the November 11 polls, should eschewed pride and bitterness, walk in to the open arms of Governor Ododo, who is beckoning to embrace them and listening to constructive ideas that, could serve as tasteful spices in the “political pepper soup” of the state. Their refusal to associate with the current state government, shall be viewed beyond political reasons to been caused by envy, sentiments or hatred. But the Writer urged them to befriend Ododo’s government.
Kogi at 33: the writer has a dream that, it shall be uhuru one day and beckoned the people to support Governor Ododo’s government, to restore all the lost hopes.
– Comrade Segun Babayomi Amupitan, ACIHRM, CPM, former National President, National Association of Okun Students NAOS, former National President, Okun Youth Development Association.
