The current administration in Kogi state is a year in office. In this report, OYIBO SALIHU examines how Ododo’s administration fared in the last one year.
Just a years ago, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the governor of Kogi state vowed his unwavering commitment to the progress and prosperity of the state and its people.
With a clear vision for the future, he hit the ground running by constituting his cabinet to help him transform the state through consolidation on the achievements of his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Governor Ododo’s leadership in the last one year is his dedication to fostering unity and promoting peaceful coexistence among the diverse ethnic and religious groups in the state because he believe that a united Kogi could achieve greater heights. This he demonstrated in the formation of his cabinet where even the opposition political parties were represented.
Less than a year, he has demonstrated an undeniable commitment to the growth and transformation of Kogi with visionary policies that set the state on a remarkable sustainable development.
Agriculture
For instance, the agricultural sector has witnessed unprecedented growth through expansion initiative where over 10,000 farmers have been empowered with access to improved seeds, fertilisers and mechanised equipment, thereby resulting in 25 per cent increase in agricultural productivity and positions the state as a leading producer of crops like cassava and rice.
In addition, the establishment of Kogi State Agro-Processing Centres also created opportunities for over 2,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Infrastructure
In the area of infrastructure, he has prioritised connectivity and access. A typical example is the just- completed construction of the GYB Junction to Zone 8 Roundabout to Crusher roads, a critical project with a very high interconnectivity value that would ease traffic congestion and improve transportation efficiency in Lokoja.
More so, several erosion management projects, across the three senatorial districts have been executed with direct impacted on over 300,000 residents and facilitating seamless movement of goods.
Education
In education sector, through the comprehensive school revitalisation programme, over 150 schools have been renovated, equipped with modern facilities with qualified teachers.
These efforts paved room for drastic increase in enrolment rates by 18 per cent. Also, the state’s students’ performance in national examinations has improved by 12 per cent according to records available at the state Ministry of Education.
Aside these, the governor has restored the abandoned student’s scholarship/ bursary award to alleviate financial burdens and empower students to focus on their academic pursuits.
Under this effort, 8,549 undergraduates of Kogi indigenes got N30,000 each, while 201 Law students got N300,000 each to cater for their financial obligations in the Law Schools. The bursary award gulped the sum of 316 million naira.
In the same vein, the governor graciously approved and released the sum of N600 million naira to the education ministry as payment of the 2024/2025 WAEC fees for 18,734 students in public secondary schools in the state.
Additionally, he also
approved the sum of 542.416 million naira for payment of Common Entrance Examination, JAMB and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for pupils and students of public schools across the state.
All these eased the burdens of parents and guardians on the issue of external examinations which hitherto posed challenges to them.
Health
In the health, the state government awarded contract for the rehabilitation and upgrading of over 150 Primary Health Care Centres across the 21 local government areas.
This effort which kick started in March 2024 was geared towards achieving functional Level-2 facilities as part of strategic plan to improve access to quality healthcare services in all parts of the state.
Just recently, the administration also launched the distribution of anti-malaria drugs, rapid diagnostic test kits and over three million insecticide treated nets to healthcare facilities to promote healthy living and the wellbeing of the people. This is just as the state health insurance scheme for the civil servants have been completed with about 32,000 civil servants onboarded.
Aside the civil servants, about 200 political appointees have also been onboarded into formal sector plan of the agency with a payment of three months premium for all the civil servants in the state by the government.
Economic empowerment
Economic empowerment has been a focal point to Governor Ododo’s administration. Through the Youth Empowerment Scheme, over 240 young artisans are presently undergoing training in various skills at the Nigeria-Korean Friendship Institute, Lokoja.
Speaking on the one year anniversary, the special adviser to the governor on media Ismaila Isah said Kogi’s reset agenda is being further strengthened by initiatives such as the establishment of the Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Kogi State Mineral Resources Development Agency, Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Kogi State Anti-Corruption Agency and Kogi State Information Technology Development Agency.
“These agencies, along with the recent approval of the Ministry of Livestock Development, agro-industrial processing zones, the upgrade of the Zariagi Airstrip to an international airport and the establishment of a world-class industrial park are laying the groundwork for an era of industrialisation and commercialisation in the state.
“Governor Ododo’s administration has introduced array of progressive initiatives, including the mechanisation of agriculture in over 70 farm clusters, the construction of over 400 kilometres of roads, and the implementation of a new minimum wage of N72,500 for civil servants.
“Additionally, nearly half a million civil servants, pensioners and vulnerable groups have been enrolled in formal sector benefits, including free health insurance coverage. These efforts reflect a strong focus on human capital development, security and infrastructural growth.”
In congratulations to the governor, the chairperson, Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET) Amb Idris O Muraina said his leadership style has ushered in a new era for Kogi which marked by significant advancements in civil servant welfare, road infrastructure, enhanced citizen engagement through Open Government Partnership (OGP) initiative, and improved social service delivery.
He commended Ododo for the noticeable improvements and urged him to intensify efforts towards food sufficiency and security for the state.