What is at stake is far from insignificant, it is how one should live one’s life – Plato Republic
Happiness depends on fulfilling one’s function. Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo Giant Strides couldn’t have come at the right time of his 100 days in office and hope for futuristic tendency of good fortune to come in the state.
Many egos were deflated and eye brows were raised when Governor Ododo emerged as the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2023 to the dismay of many party big wings and against all odds. Despite the tensions and political brouhaha in the state, time and incident happened but we are now living the dream of what every Kogite never envisaged.
Different people are inherently suitable for different activities but have wide variety of nature.The former governor of Kogi state Yahaya Bello saw what most of us didn’t see at that time as he supported Governor Usman Ododo to the fullest during campaign and election activities. A true hallmark of a leader is to see what others can’t see.
Governor Ododo has done beyond our expectations and one can only imagine what surprise is yet to come. A calculated meticulous man who talk less and do more than anticipated. Most Kogites underrated him but making most people eat their words with his goals and actions. An impeccable character of reputes whose many projects executed within his 100 days in office couldn’t have come at a better time.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo achievements and projects in view
Governor Ododo Usman announced plans by his administration to upgrade the Adogo airstrip to an international cargo airport after nearly 20 years of being inoperative.
The governor made this known when he met with the management of the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC) led by the Managing Director, David Wang, at the Government House in Lokoja.
According to him, the proposed Kogi State Cargo Airport which will be executed on a Public-Private Partnership model by the state government and the CCECC is to begin with a feasibility study and consultation with stakeholders in a few weeks from now after which a project implementation committee will be constituted to see to the completion of the project.
In the same vein, Governor Ododo told the CCECC team that the Adogo cargo airport project is of critical importance to the economic development of the state, stressing that Kogi state is endowed with huge agricultural potential and large mineral deposits in commercial quantities that require a viable means of air transportation to be connected to markets within and outside Nigeria.
The governor expressed optimism that the completion of the proposed cargo airport in Adogo is a strategic project that will further advance the economic development agenda of his administration by linking Kogi state to gateways of economic activities through intermodal transportation system like the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and the Warri-Itakpe-Abuja rail line when fully completed.
Road Projects
As if that is not enough, Governor Ododo has embarked on various road projects across the states, from the state capital and other notable local government areas in the state.
It was palpable enough for kogites to notice. The golden flower boy noted that the ongoing road projects including feeder roads in rural communities which are bearers of key agricultural and mineral resources would find true expression in economic viability when connected to the proposed cargo airport in the state. That is the words of a true leader who keeps his eye on the ball without being distracted.
The Kogi state governor, has also signed contracts with two construction firms to the tune of N29.9bn for the commencement of civil works at Etahi, Omigbo and Ankpa erosion sites across the three senatorial districts of the state.
A breakdown of the contract shows that the sum for Etahi Gully Site in Okene Local Government Area stands at N10.6bn; while that of Omigbo in Kabba Bunu LGA is N9.8bn and the contract sum for Olubo-Ojo Gully Site in Ankpa LGA stands at N9.3bn.
On curbing insecurity
Insecurity is the bane to the development of any society hence is one of the keys area the governor is strongly fighting to consolidate his predecessor’s security benchmarks as kogi state seems to be one of the few safe states in the country.
On this strong term against insecurity, the Kogi state governor, Usman Ododo, donated 120 vehicles and 44 motorcycles to boost community policing initiatives in all 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
The new set of security vehicles is also part of measures to lay the foundation for a new template to enhance the security architecture of the state.
In his address, the governor said this measure was taken to curb the excesses of criminals in the state, adding that it’ll ease the movement of vigilantes in the state.
He assured the significance of security in any society, noting his administration’s commitment to effective policing in the state.
In an oversight function, Governor Ododo who wants to be imperative and strategic on posterity called on the federal government to urgently assist in tackling the menace of insecurity and incessant flooding in some parts of the State.
The governor made the call when he received a delegation of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) at the Government House in Lokoja.
In his words, Governor Ododo said that Kogi, as a transit state that borders 10 other states, was in dire need of improved financial intervention from the federal government to address challenges of insecurity and flooding.
He said as the gateway to both the northern and southern parts of the country, Kogi should be a safe haven for all travellers, hence the need for improved security.
Palliatives distribution to the masses
Governor Usman Ododo also begun the distribution of food palliatives to the people of the state in continuation of the government’s commitment to cushion the impact of the economic downturn on the people.
He noted that the distribution of the food palliatives from the strategic grain reserve of the Federal Government underscores the shared understanding by all tiers of government of the challenges faced by Nigerians due to the prevailing economic hardship.Ododo said his administration considers it a duty and privilege to be leading collective efforts to provide relief to those who are most in need of succour in all the corners of Kogi state.
The distribution of the palliatives is in line with the commitment of the administration of President Bola Tinubu to respond most decisively to the pressing need for interventions to cushion the effect of difficulties faced by Nigerians, and stressing that the government and people of Kogi State will continue to support programmes and policies under the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President.
Improved funding for education
Governor Ododo called for improvement in funding for education to accelerate human capital development in Kogi state and Nigeria as a whole.
The Governor made this appeal when he paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Architect Sonny Echono, in Abuja.
While expressing his gratitude for the fund’s intervention in tertiary institutions in Kogi state he also called on the Executive Secretary to assist the state with access to improved funding for high impact projects in tertiary educational institutions.
Governor Ododo restated his administration’s agenda for human capital development and emphasised that education remains the most important catalyst for the development of any society and assured that his administration would promote key priority areas in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) in all the higher institutions in the state to ensure that no child of school age is left behind in the state.
100 micro projects across the 21 local government areas.
The projects which are part of the Nigeria Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Programme of the state government aimed at cushioning the economic challenges in communities in a bid to increase access to basic social infrastructure.
This was part of the revelation made by the General Manager of Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency (KGCSDA), Chief Dauda Momoh, at the ongoing training of the Community and Group Project Management Committees at Okene, which is meant to empower them in areas of project supervision, monitoring, evaluation, as well as financial management, procurement, documentation, and record keeping.
It is true that a good man wouldn’t find old age particularly easy to bear if he were poor ,but it’s also true that a bad man would never be content with himself even if he were wealthy.
What more can we say than to say the Golden Flower Boy take your fragrance flower you deserve it.
Abdullahi Ohida Mohammed is a public analyst and a content administrator with Blueprint Newspapers. He can reached via 08069743251, abdullahiluth@gmail.com .
