…current pains are real, but temporary.
Governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Usman Ododo, says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is steering Nigeria in the right direction, ushering in a national Renaissance, especially in the ways and means by which the nation’s economy is managed.
Governor Ododo made this known during his Independence Day broadcast in Lokoja on Tuesday.
He stated that President Tinubu’s administration has shown unprecedented courage in addressing long-standing structural anomalies which previous governments, fearful of the inevitable fallout, carefully avoided.
“At this critical juncture in our history, we are glad to have the leadership of our current president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to look up to.
“The removal of fuel subsidies and the harmonization of the naira exchange rates are just two of these difficult but necessary reforms. No generation of leaders before him has squared off against these national challenges with such resolve.
“We must also acknowledge that the President has not undertaken these reforms from a desire to see Nigerians suffer, but by a conviction that beyond these rocky terrains lies a better place of shared prosperity. Moreover, his efforts to cushion the impact of these reforms on Nigerians as much as possible bear witness to his good intentions. As a sitting Governor, I can testify firsthand to the President’s efforts in this regard.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria under him has increased monetary allocations to states like ours – by a lot, enabling us to do more for our people. He has introduced a suite of palliatives that is arguably the largest our nation has ever mobilised – to ease the burden on citizens. The expanded social safety net programme is providing critical support to millions of vulnerable Nigerians. At the same time he has pioneered novel programmes to support citizens in their endeavours – ranging from education loans and scholarships, civil service wage increases to expanded cash grant initiatives and venture capital/entrepreneurial support.
“This is why I have unshakable confidence in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. His commitment to a better Nigeria is not open to debate,” he said.
The governor urged all Nigerians to show patience, understanding, and support as these reforms take root.
“Though the current pains are real, they are temporary. In the long term, these bold decisions will lift our nation’s socioeconomic indices and improve the quality of life for all citizens.
“As we celebrate this Independence Day, 2024 we must remind ourselves of the words of our national motto – ‘Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress’. They encapsulate our ideals as one nation and we must re-commit ourselves to them in order to stand strong even in challenging times.
“Here in Kogi State which is a microcosm of Nigeria, and reflects her great diversity, we also aspire to a greatness that comes from harnessing the strengths of every community and individual among us.”
He commended his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for laying solid foundation for rapid development of Kogi state.
Governor Ododo said his predecessor “fought battles and planted seeds while governing this state that are only just now bearing fruit.”
“I confirm that the difficult reforms undertaken by my eminent predecessor, His Excellency, former Governor Yahaya Bello, during his 8 years in Office, and the systems he set up, put us on a strong footing for the accelerated progress we are seeing now. We cannot commend and appreciate him enough.
“As we move towards an era of accelerated development for our dear Kogi State on all sides, we remain firmly committed to consolidation and continuity of the gains that we have inherited and we will be working even more diligently in the months and years ahead to do more. However, I confess my great need for the support and cooperation of every one of you, my people. I humbly request for it once more, so that together, we can build a state that is safe, prosperous, inclusive, and works for all.”
