Kogi state was formed August 27th, 1991.Ever since the amalgamation of various tribes in the state it has evolved into a strong entity on its own. The three major tribes cover the people of Ebira in Central, Igala in the Eastern part while Okun is in the West which also includes Ebira-koto. It is important to understand that these groups have live together in peace and fostering cross social and economic integration amongst themselves, these includes, trade and cultural interaction and even marriages.
Kogi state is richly blessed with various mineral deposits, which include the disputed oil rich region along ibaji/Anambra, others are iron ore, lime stones, dolomites, different class of precious stones/gems, large area of land fertile for farming and agribusiness, various dams across the state also gives it advantage in the area of good irrigation in agriculture production and water supply to the citizens. All these have position the state in a way it can stand on its own if properly harnessed to help in the area of IGR for the state. Kogi state is strategically placed in such a way that it’s like the epicenter of Nigeria as most people traveling across Nigeria (North, South West and East) ply through the state to get to their destinations, this also serve as economic advantage for the state, as most travelers always stop by to do some kind of business transaction in the state while on transit.
CHALLENGES OF GOOD GOVERNANCE
Presently, the state is faced with challenges of good governance especially as it relates to economic development, infrastructural gap, ICT policy, poor health facilities, youth empowerment, poverty alleviation, educational advancement and workers welfare. Ever since the return to democracy in 1999, the state has not witness any meaningful strides in its effort to meet up with current realities of economic advancement in various sector of it economy, It has been retrogressive in economic advancement and it is not in any way better or improved as of currently.
The government of prince Abubakar Audu try its best in terms of provision of infrastructure, education and economic advancement of the state, even though it was one sided with Igalas (Eastern Region) of the state benefiting from all the development leaving other regions to suffer setbacks. Prince Abubakar Audu even wanted to move some other regions institutions to the eastern part of the state, institutions such as School of Nursing Obangede was to be move from Kogi Central to east by the tenure of Abubakar Audu, but was unable to do so as people of Kogi Central mobilized heavily to resist the move. It is important to note that since the return of democracy only one region the state that is the eastern part (IGALA) have produced the governor for over 15 years with other region been deputies or secretary to the state government. The government of Ibrahim Idris (Igala Man) spent 9 wasted years with no impactful projects executed, and his tenure characterized with massive corruption and fraud as stated by some people within the state. Kogi state has never witnessed unprecedented backward growth and development in all facets like the government of Ibrahim Idris, areas such as human capital development, health care, basic infrastructures, education, staff welfare suffered serious setbacks during the tenure of Ibrahim Idris. The resultant effect of such horrendous and visionless government has placed Kogi state in its present predicament.
The government of Idris Wada is far gone into its administration and it is still confused and bereaved of ideas as to how to move the state forward, this is not far from the fact that it is still an appendage of Ibrahim Idris government who could not offer anything meaningful to the state. Kogi state with all its wealth in human resources, mineral resources and economic power is the least developed state in Nigeria. I am not against the government of anybody or any tribe, because in the end power belongs to God almighty, but I think it is high time the people of Kogi state begin to think of alternative to IGALA speaking region. The region has failed the state woefully, in the 15 or more years as governors in the state, we have not witness any real development. Please let the national good governance tour members visit Kogi State to show us what the government has been able to achieve in term of infrastructure development and economic advancement.
Good governance is the ability of any government to deliver effective leadership to its people, but the case of Kogi state is appalling. Let me quickly point out here that most of the local government areas in the state, especially under the PDP administration is stagnated as there is no sign of usefulness to the people at the grassroots as it’s the popular notion. Several local government owe their staffs six to seven months wages and no visible efforts of the council heads to pay this money, funny also is the fact that some even pay half of monthly pay to staffs every month. How can people in these places cater for themselves and their defendants? I think the government at the federal level needs to look into these.
MAGINALIZATION OF OTHER REGIONS IN KOGI STATE BY IGALA ADMINISTRATION.
It is painful to note that democracy is not a democracy that delivers in Kogi State unlike some states in Nigeria. This is no thanks to the failure of success Igala government to govern the state in a dynamic and people oriented approach. Despite the enormous wealth and opportunity that abounds the state, every successive Igala government have failed to harness these resources to achieve an improved standard of living and welfare of the people.
A critical look and analysis of various projects handled during Abubakar Audu, it will be important to state here that most or all the projects were concentrated in the Eastern part of the state and sometime in Lokoja because of its location as the state capital. I refused to mention Ibrahim Idris and Idris Wada because their government has not offered anything to the people of Kogi State. Hence, other regions like the central and west suffer serious setbacks in its efforts to meet up with current realities of development in the state.
Central and Western Kogi State has suffered serious neglect in the hands of every Igala administration, under whatever party mentioned be it ANPP or PDP. It is as if there is a conspiracy by any Igala government not to develop or empower other regions in the state, if it is not a conspiracy how on earth will even under different party with the same Igala people not have the interest of other regions at heart. This is not good for our democracy and does not portray good governance in any form.
Infrastructure development such as provision of road, portable drinking water, health facilities and good educational institutions (Primary, Secondary and Vocational) are lacking in both the Central and Western Kogi State. The current 2013 Kogi state budget details clearly shows in its capital vote that all capital projects both new and ongoing is meant for the Eastern Kogi state and this has been the tradition over the years.
CONCLUSION
I am using this medium to plead with those from the eastern Kogi state who has govern the state since the return of democracy, to please consider other region, they should at least provide good and effective leadership for the people of Kogi state especially other regions(Central and Western). The state is created for all the three senatorial areas and not just the eastern region. Those representing the other two neglected regions (Central and Western) should come together to engage the present leadership in Kogi State so as to provide people oriented projects in the regions.
The journey of democracy that delivers is a long and purposeful one, “leadership is about the people, it is about vision and the ability to see that such vision come to fruition while the vision is driven by what the leader can offer the followers”.
Kogi state government needs to design a development master plan or road map, which will include all the regions in the state, this plan will cover all sectors of the economy such as education, Information technology, road construction, opening up of districts, health care, environment, youth empowerment and poverty alleviation. The plan should have timeline and be pursued rigorously with clear intentions, it is my hope that if the government consider this Kogi state will be better for it and our current ranking will be improved thereby improving the welfare of the citizens.
By: Ustaz Danjuma Mohammed
Founder/CEO
Impact Agriculture Project-Nigeria
impactapn@yahoo.com
Abuja, Nigeria
