Kogi at 30; ODA Insists on powershift to kogi West.
* Urges other zones to concede power.
As the kogi state marks 30 years of its creation, Okun Development Association (ODA) a social cultural group of Yoruba speaking people of kogi west has called on Governor Yahaya Bello and the good people of the state to support her to produce the next Governor of the state.
In a world conference held in Lokoja on Thursday, the President – General of the Association, Barrister Femi Mokikan noted that for the spirit of brotherhood, fairness and equity, the East and Central zones which had produced governors since inception of the state in 1991 should join hands with them to actualise the dream.
The President General lamented that for about 30 years of the existence of the state, Okun people are the most marginalized major ethnic group in Kogi State in the area of employment, appointment, project execution, stressing that it was the coming of Governor Yahaya Bello that changed their sordid stories.
According to him , in his determination to give sense of belonging to all the zones, the governor on assumption of office , introduced EBIGO Agenda to promote unity and oneness of the state with the view to portraying the interest of the state first above individual or selfist interest.
” Without an iota of doubt, the EBIGO Agenda is commendable and one of the lofty policies of New Direction government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as it has confirmed that kogi state belong to all, Igala, Ebira and Okuns as against the claims in some quarters in the past.
“Worthy of note and encomiums is the institutionalization of this agenda in the Area of appointments (both civil service and political), allocation and execution of projects. This is why Okun people will continue to be grateful to Kogi Governor, for the establishment of one of largest Rice Mill in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area.
“Also, in the health sector, we are glad with the ongoing construction work at Isanlu General Hospital,
Yagba East LGA, while the rehabilitation of the Kabba township road is no doubt a step in the right direction.
“It is important to state that Okun is lacking behind as it is the only Area in the State without a University as the East has the Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba while the Central has the New Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara.
“This is why we’re appealing to the State Government to as a matter of fact establish a University in Okun land to justify the equity, fairness and justice that form the mantras of the present Administration.
“We also appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently sign into law the bill establishing Federal University of Agriculture, Kabba as done for some states in Nigeria recently.
While calling on the people of Kabba-Bunu, Ijumu, Mopa/Amuro, Yagba East and West Local Government Areas as well as Oworo land to come out enmasse and participate in the Voters registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) urged their sons and daughters in the diaspora to motivate their children of 18 years and above to register and collect their permanent voters cards.(PVC)
The group however congratulated the Government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the people of the state on the 30th Anniversary of the creation of the State .
