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Kogi constantly has its eyes on the past while the other states looks towards the future. Kogi citizens refused their right to self-actualisation, personal growth and happiness, all in favour of people who have proven time and time again that their leadership is a misadventure. Yet, we allow them back into our midst, allow them to pontificate over their time in office, allow them to re-write history and to pose themselves as heroes rather than the villains who’ve destroyed this state. When do we finally learn from our mistakes?
The tragedy of Kogi State is our short-term memory. We too quickly forget our benefactors and all too rapidly embrace those willing to betray us, all for a few short-term benefits. Loving Kogi is difficult at times, it’s an enterprise filled with disappointment, possibly even resentment, every time one wonders if one was wrong to believe in truth or justice, or whenever one wonders if it wouldn’t simply be easier to be like everyone else and betray honour and conscience. However, legacies can’t be bought. Neither can history. The subject of how we shall all individually and collectively be remembered, when Kogi’s story is finally told, is important and grandiose enough to hopefully steer us away from temptation.
Paris club refund and bailout funds have been pumped into Kogi state but workers and pensioners can’t boast of a normal family life. These are questions on many lips, where will this money go, and will it be properly used when it gets here? Little has been said about the billions and other donor agencies have pumped into Kogi state to curbed untold hardship and unpaid salaries subsequent to the Ministry of Finance corruption scandal which occurred during the last administration.
The workers are absolutely fed up and hungry. A worker that you do not pay for seventeen consecutive months becomes a thief; you criminalise him. Bello should declare that the present system of governance has criminalised more Kogites than in the last three years. This is the truth.
I read the newspapers everyday and the prevalence of crimes in the state today as reported in the media has been unheard of in the last five years in Kogi state. We hear of people stealing pots of soup and rice and meat; we hear of people raping girls in the schools and on the street. These were unheard of in this state. The element of criminality in our polity today is frightening.
We are also yet to get conclusive answers about the use of the Paris and bailout funds in Kogi State and its alleged diversion.
– Hon. Alfa Tijani
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