Protest: Group hails Kogi residents for supporting Ododo’s government
A socio-political group, the Kogi State New Generation Initiative, has applauded residents of the state for having trust in the leadership direction of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
At a conference, Thursday, in Abuja, convener of the group, Comrade Richard Otitoleke, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to Kogi state governor on drug rehabilitation, commended the residents for embracing peace, maturity in the wake of the nationwide protest that has engulfed many states across the federation.
He said: “The protest, occasioned by the prevailing challenges in our nation’s economy, was presumably to call the attention of the federal government to salvage the economic situation in order to ameliorate the hardship experienced by the masses, was however snowballed into violence, looting and destruction of public and private properties.
“While the Youths of Kogi State also acknowledge the reality of our nation’s economic challenges, it is however impressive and commendable to acknowledge the displayed maturity of the people and the youths of Kogi State for believing in the leadership direction of the State Governor His Excellency Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, who have demonstrated an uncommon administrative competence and domesticated policies initiated by the President Bola Tinubu led government to reduce rate of poverty, improved security and boost economic fortune of the state.
“The cooperation enjoyed by Governor Usman Ododo with the youths of Kogi State, is a testament and true reflection of his acceptance, good leadership direction and believe in his capacity to deliver.
“It would be recalled that the government of Kogi State under the leadership of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has domesticated the Initiative of the Federal government to enable the state generate and distribute power, by establishing the KOGI State Electricity Regulatory Agency and Kogi State Energy Commission, giving a clear directive of accelerated power generation and distribution in Kogi State, to be affordable enough for the masses and to boost small and large scale business in the state.
“The spread of goodwill enjoy by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo among the civil and public servants in Kogi State today, is a direct reflection of the government intentional effort to prioritize workers welfare; in prompt payment of salaries and emoluments, with other benefits to improve the Kogi State workforce.”
He added: “The Kogi State Governor has also signed the Kogi State Free Examination Registration Law for Public Schools. By this law, all examinations, from Primary School Common Entrance Exam, WAEC, NECO, NABTEB and JAMB are free for all public school students in Kogi State.
“Furthermore, the Kogi State government has not only made tertiary institutions accessible and affordable to the youths across the three senatorial zones, but has further set up machinery to ensure the students of Kogi State benefit widely from the Students loan initiated by President Bola Tinubu.
“In building a more robust security system, the Kogi State Governor has, within three months in office, has further empowered the local vigilante, by distributing security vehicles, motor cycles across all the 21 local government and has been in practical partnership with other security agencies in making Kogi State uncomfortable for kidnappers and other criminalities, with undistracted focus in making Kogi a safe place for all. Recently, the Governor reaffirmed this strong determination in his speech and I quote ” I am not here to try, am not here to make attempt, am not here to pay condolences to victims of kidnapping, am here to defeat criminalities”
“In ensuring accountability and transparency in governance and public service in the state, the KOGI State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo established the Kogi State Anti- Corruption Agency, this remains a rare and uncommon practical step to bringing sanity in public service and ensuring zero tolerance to administrative recklessness, thereby engendering accountability and transparency in governance.
“In a swift move to adhere to the policy of total autonomy at the local government level and bringing more development to the grassroots, the Kogi State Governor has also promptly responded to the need for political and financial autonomy of the Local Governments, by ensuring elections are conducted to fill in all the elective positions at all the local government in the state by October,2024.
“All these are just few of the fundamental and basic practical steps and programs in Kogi State that have provided the trust in leadership of the governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
“While the Youths of Kogi State are not unaware of the economic challenges of the nation, it is important to acknowledge this level of maturity and cooperation displayed by the youths and the people of Kogi State to embrace peace and trust in the leadership of the government.”
