Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi says the state is fast becoming a pace-setter of a true democracy prioritising inclusive leadership, people-based governance, peace and security for its people.
Bello said this in his statewide broadcast commemorating the 30th anniversary of the state’s creation, where he also pledged to, not only sustain the momentum, but even do more for the good of his people.
He said that the state under the New Direction Blueprint had continued to record countless successes and achievements amidst daunting socio-economic challenges foisted by recession and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The governor also noted that it was with great joy that his administration had succeeded in making the state one of the safest in the country in the midst of generalised insecurity elsewhere.
“In real terms, Kogi is fast becoming the default example of a truly democratised and free state where inclusive leadership and people-based governance models have become central and accessible to all.
“We understand clearly the demands of public office and have a standing resolve to put the interest of our people first in all we do as a government.
“My administration took the security, unity, peace and prosperity of our once divided and impoverished people seriously, right from inception. Today, our state is arguably the safest in the entire country.
“We are rated the second most peaceful and our crime rate is second lowest. We have a hugely diverse population that is nevertheless more united now than at any time in our history.
“By aiming at targets we set in our New Direction Blueprint and allied governance roadmaps, we are crushing our goals in reduction of the Multidimensional Poverty Indices here in Kogi State,” he said, while also keeping pace with the five thematic areas it adopted from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“It has been my lot as Governor and Chief Executive of Kogi State to steer us through some of the most difficult seasons of our 30 years.
“In the last six years that I have been in charge, our dear nation Nigeria has been hit by at least two major recessions which reduced our income as a State to some of its lowest levels since her creation.
“In between the two terrible recessions mentioned above, the COVID-19 pandemic arrived like the grim reaper from the first quarter of 2020 and began to wreak havoc on mankind. It continues till today.
“In the end, our strategies completely deflected the ill-will and doomsday prophecies which were poured like invective on us from many quarters. Most painful however were the many influential Kogites who joined in this grim concert,” Bello said.
The governor noted that as much as his administration never adopted the awkward practices of flagging off and commissioning projects with fanfare, all it had achieved had been seen by people and journalists who had taken time to tour the state.
He however urged Nigerians to view the e-Compendium of the state on www.kogipedia.net for undeniable proofs, saying the administration had been silently completing and releasing hundreds of mini to major developments projects distributed across the three senatorial districts of our state.
“These projects range from roads to bridges to rural water schemes to multi-community electrification projects to hundreds of primary, secondary and tertiary health and education facilities, amenities and consumables,” he said.
He saluted former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida for creating the state, former governors Abubakar Audu (Late ), Ibrahim Idris, Idris Wada and others, whom he described as great sons of the state and who collectively made agitations and contributions which helped its birth. (NAN)
