I have seen the future of Kogi State. It is very very bright, wild and strong. Troubled but visionary. This is the path of self glory. This is the voyage of history. This is the people of the Nigeria moving forward on their own accord.
Have you noticed what’s going on:
1. Spiritual revolution
2. Political revolution
3. Educational revolution
4.Social revolution
Spirituality: I believe, just like nature affirms that the spiritual elements dictates to the physical bearing of the affairs of men.
Kogi was formerly a state bedridden of archaic religious practises, mundane beliefs and the enslavement of spirit of men to develop. From ancestral fetishism to extra mundane ecclesiastical spells.
Families were held under the worship of many generation idols and shrines. The proliferation of Islam into the religious behaviour of the state couldn’t have liberated it, at best, most Muslims in the past, combined the new religion with that of their ancestral gods. The Christians were majorly of Evangelical and Catholic foundation which was much a doctrinal service to worship rather than engagement with the monotheistic God. Protestant churches would come to upset the system with their own version of religious orientation which led to various reforms as deep introspection and competition amongst different groups paved way for the growth of the spiritual atmosphere of Kogi state. With different prayers offered to restructure the air of the state, touching down on generational courses, backward mentality, etc.
The availability of diversified religious options has created a fertile ground for the Africa Traditional religionists, Muslims, Christians, Atheists, etc to contribute to the spiritual growth of the state. The value chain has been of great benefit.
Educational revolution: Kogites always coasted home with the reputation of illiteracy, ignorance and backward mentality, reminiscent in their external dealings with others. But the narrative has begun to swing tones. The state boasts of Six (6) tertiary institutions in the state creating an educational nest for the over 4m indigenes whose ambition after Secondary education is shifting from marriage into academic scholarships and business productivity. The courage currently being displayed by the youths in challenging the old order is paying off. We are also groggy of major character deficiencies that have plagued our people for a long time. There’s a general awareness that educational is a prima facea to social and economic prosperity unlike the narratives of the old time. The natural intelligence found amongst Kogites are being utilised.
To place a pointer, I am an example. (If e pain you, hug a moving train) My wonderful family members, the academic community, and other kogites scattered abroad. I should also mention that about 4 Kogites won the Mandela Fellows Scholarship in Washington between 2 years. We have a 32 year old Ph.D holder with his area of expertise currently a monopoly of his person in Nigeria. He was recently given a Federal appointment of electricity portfolio. He is from Kogi Central. What about Samson Itodo of the #NotTooYoungToRun bill which is now an act?
We have a coterie of academic Ph.D holders which could number up to 80, with 10 SANs, 15 Professors, etc(estimated data). In the middle belt, we are champions of educational exposure.
Political revolution: Kogi State came into the discuss-scope of Nigeria when late Governor, Audu Abubakar, dubbed as “Prince of the Niger” elevated the state into the committee of developed state in the North central geo political zone in the country. The phenomenal Audu laid foundation of excellence in infrastructural development in the state as the first elected Governor of the state from 1999- 2003. He won straight 9 Best Governorship award in Nigeria when he was in power. When it came to political decisions during the Obasanjo presidency, some birds sung that he had access to the Presidency than the Vice president himself, Atiku Abubakar. When Audu was alive, he was a political heavyweight that could have Kogi State on his shoulders to battle Federal forces.
After his death, the coming of Governor Yahaya Bello has changed the political climate of the state. The old structure has totally collapsed with new alignments taking shape, fantastically, the youths are more interested in being part of the process while the old order are helpless at the transition. Be it PDP, APC, APGA, etc, whatever divide you fall, the youths are taking more proactive interest in an intelligent manner about the political future. The current Governor Yahaya Bello is not also a back bencher in the scheme of politics nationally, in a finesse finish, he brought home gold in about three recently held national assignment which borders on security and logistics for his party in the following events: APC National Convention, Rotimi Akeredolu’s election and the recently concluded Ekiti state elections which recorded zero violence and free flow of logistics to the party apparatus.
Kogi politically, due to the unfortunate death of Governor Audu, the emergence of Governor Bello, the death of Late Barr. Ocholi, the Theatrical college opened by Senator Dino Melaye, the vociferous inputs into national discourse of people like Prof. Pius Adesanmi, etc has transported the state into the A-list talked about state in Nigeria. Either for negative of positive reasons, the society is contracting and contrasting to give Kogi the importance she deserves.
Kogi State has also provided the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the cardinal expediency to make some changes to her electoral value by the death of late Audu, the recall saga of Dino Melaye, the Proscription of ASUU-KSU, the #NotTooYoungToRun @Act amongst other issues. It is important to note the scientifically, it cannot get worse without getting good. We are a cynosure of these changes which would first benefit us directly and plant us to the hall of juicy-history. The unfolding political drama is also interesting, in the end, our state would get better.
Social revolution:
First off, Kogites are becoming rapidly aware of their environment. The awareness-effect the Jonathan reelection bid of 2015 conferred on Nigeria is a dejavu in Kogi State after the retirement of the graveyard governance of Wada, the hopeful re-election of Audu before his death and the emergence of the youngest Governor ever in Nigeria, Yahaya Bello who became Governor at 40. From 2016 to current, the social institution of the state is in nirvana of awareness.
The crop of intelligent youths and responsible adults charting the course for changes to the Girl-child education, advocacy against cultism, sensitisation of men and women against domestic violence, promotion of “education above academics”, etc is fixing the social fabric of the state. The current Chief Press Secretary to the state Government l Petra Akinti Onyegbule is also championing an NGO in the state to cater for prematurely born children, (preemies), which is a new one in the history of the state.
The social pulse is gradually being ignited. The social media interaction with some Kogi youths in the area of Self Esteem, appropriate Written and Spoken communication, Emotional and social Intelligence, tact, etc are contributing to the quality of teenagehood experience, university behaviour, social indulgence, visionary planning, etc. We are coasting home to victory. Most importantly, these advocacy is being championed by some fine Kogites whom have displayed exemplary qualities as well. The youths are becoming less aggressive but more engaging.
All these changes are definitely moving us towards the path of progress. The only contribution you can pull is to make yourself a transformed person. Get exposed.
…everybody is somebody.
#Kogi is rising
– Promise Emmanuel (Kogi Rebel)
