By Olatunde Odimayo.
Bad leadership, docile followership, system that encourages corruption has been identified as some of the reasons why kogi state has failed to develop like many other state created in 1991.
This forms part of the issues raised at a public lecture organized by the Nigerian Post Newspaper to mark Kogi State 25th anniversary.
Declaring the lecture open, the Majority Leader of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Honorable Mathew Kolawole, who doubles as the chairman of the occasion, raised concern on the level of sentiment which has negated the development of the state.
He called for a collective effort to move the state forwards lamenting that irrespective of religious, party ideology and tribe, there should be a common goal for a better kogi State.
The state lawmaker also acknowledged the huge potential of kogi State calling on all kogite to join hands with the present government to move the confluence state forward.
In his presentation titled, ‘Kogi State at 25: This House Must Not Fall Regardless of The Challenges of State In A Depressed Economy’, a senior lecturer from the Kogi State Polytechnic, Dr. T. E. Joel noted that government is a continuous continuum hence it must be supported, encouraged and not vilified and condemned.
According to him, kogi State in 25 years has evolved into a very busy commercial centre adding that all over the 21 local government areas businesses are thriving, only but slowly.
“The challenges facing kogi state has its roots in the challenges facing the Nigeria nation state. The Nigeria nation state has been “tattered” to the international capitalist order that is imperialistic and self serving. The under development and the development of the partners in that order are two sides of the coin. The depression of Nigeria economy can be situated in this disproportionate or original relationship that encourages prebendalism and clienthism.
Nigeria is a pseudo capitalist nation state, in a world of globalization, and the challenges the Nigeria state, and consequently Kogi state is facing is how to positively, gainfully related with the international capitalist order that is imperialistic.
The challenges of unemployment, kidnapping, armed robbery tribalism nepotism, embezzlement of public, funds, padding of salaries, etc are all symptomatic of the focal Challenge facing kogi State.” Dr Joel stated.
The guest lecturer also said, “the way out for kogi State is emphasizing that all hands must be joined together kogi state is faced with the challenges of dealing with international conspiracy, unemployment of her teeming youths, and rising crime rate, dwindling national resources.
“The way out is we must unite regardless of tribal religious differences, present a common front in our quest for Development. Kogi State has the potential and limited must rise above tribal sentiment. The world they say is a global village. This house must not falls. Kogi State must be a house for all kogites irrespective of religion and tribal affiliations.”
Meanwhile, the governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who was represented by his Special Adviser on media communication and strategy, Mallam Abdulkareem Abdulmalik enjoined Kogites to be patient amidst the current economic hardship.
The media adviser also noted that the current administration is on course.
In the same vein, the publisher of the Nigeria post newspaper, Mr. Mike Abu, while expressing optimism on the new direction of the present government, also stressed on unity for development to strive in the state.
The publisher however urged the present administration to focus more on development by bringing all the components of the state together.
It will be recalled that Kogi State was created in 1991 by the General Ibrahim Babangida military administration. The state was carved out of the old Kwara and Benue states.
