In time past in Kogi before the emergence of Alhaji Yahaya Bello it’s Executive Governor, the three major ethnic groups comprising of the Igalas, Ebiras and Okuns have always not been on the same page as brothers and sisters of the confluence state that played a significant role in the making of Nigeria.
Especially in the areas of politics and community development. Igalas, the majority tribe has always dominated in the state, could it be because of their population or perhaps the large land mass?
It became a new dawn for the entire state when the current youngest Governor in Nigeria, Alhaji Yahaya Bello was inaugurated in January 2016 as Governor of Kogi State. It is now recorded that for the first time in the history of governance in Kogi, political appointments and social infrastructure is been cut across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state, without sentiment and bias. To fact this statement, the Chief of Staff to the said Ebira originated Governor, Honourable Edward Onoja is an Igala man. The Secretary to the State Government is an Okun woman. The Commissioners for Finance and Agriculture are also from Okun amongst other top Okun appointees. The Ebiras and the entire central senatorial district are not left behind as the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary is from Ogori/Magongo Local Government, the smallest local government in the state.
In a nutshell, it has not been a culture of empowering only folks from the Governor’s senatorial district or constituency as been displayed by previous governments. As a matter of fact, the current Kogi State Governor is known to be detribalized and as a way to further put his detribalized government agenda in the front burner of discuss, which does more good to the state, it’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism under the headship of Comrade Gabriel Arome Adoji, is taking quick steps to uphold the symbol of unity in Kogi State as established by his boss the Governor.
Combining the identities of the three tribes representing the three senatorial districts is the project on ground. The Commissioner had disclosed the intentions of the State Government to reorient the public that Kogi is peaceful and united. This he said would be the United Kogi identity.
The State Government thereby call on all sons and daughters of the State at home and in diaspora to support and embrace the move for a stronger bond across the Kogi East “Igalas”, Kogi West “Okuns and Kogi Central “Ebiras”. “When this is achieved, love is birthed and where there is love, growth and development abounds,” Comrade Adoji spoke this morning.
Credit: Media Office of the Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Kogi State.
