Gov Ododo Hosts Kogi East APC Stakeholders, Seeks Unity, Development Across the Zone
By Unubi Emmanuel
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive development, unity, and grassroots empowerment as he hosted critical stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Kogi East on a courtesy visit at the Government House, Lokoja.
The delegation comprising senior party figures, former office holders, and serving leaders from the nine local government areas of the zone was led by retired Major General Patrick Akpa.
Setting the tone for the meeting, the Deputy Governor, Comrade Joel Salifu, introduced the visitors, described them as “the pillars of our great party in Kogi East,” noting that they came to express appreciation for the Governor’s developmental strides and commitment to good governance, while thanking the Governor for his time and hospitality.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, General Akpa commiserated with the Governor over the recent tragedies in Kogi West and the Ibaji boat mishap. He commended the Governor for his landmark achievements in education, which recently earned him the Golden Award of Excellence from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and urged greater attention to primary and secondary education.
He assured that, despite Kogi East’s poor outing in the last general election, “serious alignments and realignments are ongoing to reposition the zone for victory in future elections.”
Presenting the resolutions of the stakeholders, Ambassador Isaac Onuh pledged their “unalloyed loyalty and support” to the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo Ododo, while commending the Deputy Governor for his leadership and initiative in fostering unity within the party.
The stakeholders also called for one major infrastructural project in each local government area of Kogi East, including the Otuocha-Onyedega-Ibaji, Idah-Ajegwu, Ankpa-Abejukolo, Shintaku-Dekina, Ogbabo-Abocho-Ajiolo, Odolu-Oforachi-Idah, Ejule-Ala-Achokpa, and Ankpa-Imane-Okpo roads.
They Urged the review of the KOSOPADEC law for stronger host community participation, in Ibaji Local Government Area.
The stakeholders appealed for immediate repairs on the bad portion of the Ganaja Village road to ease the movement of motorist and commuters.
In his remarks, Governor Ododo thanked the delegation for their visit and solidarity during the passing of his father, Alhaji Ahmed Momoh Sani Ododo, describing their presence as “a show of unity and shared purpose.”
“We must begin to see one another as one family. Our strength as a people lies in our unity and collective resolve to develop Kogi East,” the Governor said.
He lamented that despite the zone’s rich endowment in cashew, coal, and other mineral resources, its people have not fully benefited due to “interests and external exploitation.”
“Every year, over ₦86 billion worth of cashew leaves Kogi East without commensurate impact on our people. We must take responsibility for our development rather than waiting for outsiders or the federal government,” he said.
Governor Ododo pledged continued investment in rural infrastructure and education, reaffirming that pupils in public primary and secondary schools do not pay school fees. He assured that more roads across the nine local government areas of Kogi East are being penciled down for construction, appealing to the stakeholders to send list of internal roads that needs construction and rehabilitation for consideration.
He also announced that indigenes of the oil producing community in Ibaji would be included in KOSOPADEC appointments, while plans are already in motion to fix the Ganaja Village, Bassa road and many roads in the zone, without necessarily waiting for the federal government.
The Governor lauded the people of Kogi East for ensuring in 2023, what he described as “the most peaceful election in the history of Kogi State,” despite political differences, and urged them to sustain the peace for greater development.
Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of the NUT Golden Award of Excellence in Education to Governor Ododo by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Joel Salifu. The Governor dedicated the award to God and the people of Kogi State, saying it was “a motivation to do more for teachers and education.”
Prominent stakeholders in attendance included Major Gen. Patrick Akpa, Dr Kashim Akor, Hon. Emmanuel Egwu, Rt.Hon Ismaila Inah, Hon Frank Ineke, Amb Isaac Onuh, Hon Adamu Musa, Hon Atule Christopher, Hon.Emmanuel Omebije, Engr Nda Muhammed Usman, Hon Sadiq Ainoko Abubakar, Hon Omale Ojogbane Uchola, Hon Labran Yahaya Eyigebe, Hon Yunusa Olofu, Hon Abdul Alhassan, Hon Muhammed Nasiru Alfa, and others.
