A bill for an act to amend the 1999 Constitution for the creation of Okura State out of the present Kogi State has passed the first reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill, which was sponsored by the Deputy Minority Leader of the lower chamber, Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims, appeared as No. 5 on the Order Paper of Tuesday July 9, 2024 of the House of Representatives.
Speaking after the presentation of the bill, Halims paid glowing tributes to the proponents of Okura State, urging all Igala and Bassa people to support the creation of the proposed Okura State.
He stated the socio-economic development of Kogi State will be in deficit if Okura State is not created, noting that other old provinces like Sokoto and Kano, apart from Kabba Province, have had states.
He disclosed that leaving Kogi in its present size and resources does not allow effective development initiatives, stating that if two states would be created in the current exercise, “Okura should be one of them except, if no state will be created, which means the battle will be shifted to another time.”
One of the promoters of the proposed Okura State, Mr Musa Iko-Ojo Yunusa, lauded Abdullahi for his doggedness, urging other members of the national, state assemblies, political office holders as well as other critical leaders to join hands and make history for the realization of the state.
At the House of Representatives to witness the event were the Secretary to Okura State Movement, Dr. Yakubu Ugwolawo, and other leaders from the state.
