By News Desk
It’s my pleasure to welcome you all to this historical gathering and first
Town Hall Meeting of great Lokoja – Koton Karfe peoples Forum. Today marks the
beginning of a new relationship as a people with common vision and mission, we have come together to pursue peace, progress and
unity of our people, and I feel very much delighted to welcome you all to this very
all important Town Hall Meeting.
As you are aware, the Lokoja – Koton Karfe peoples Forum was established on the basis
of fairness, justice, peace and unity for the social-economic and political benefits of our people.
The wisdom of
statesmen who conceived this idea, and recognized our strength in
coming together as a family determined to achieved shared prosperity is indeed
remarkable. To this end, I would like to specially recognized the presence of our traditional leaders , religious and political leaders, in particular, our Board of Trusty Chairman, members of Executive committee of the Forum who despite their very busy schedules took time out
to join us today to deliberate on key issues, challenges and
opportunities that are of serious concern to our people.
Ladies and Gentlemen; the facts that this Town Hall Meeting is taking place here’today demonstrates our true commitment to our people and we consider this meeting as a critical tool in consulting with key stakeholders to build consensus and foster understanding on a common
goal of improving the socio-economic wellbeing and progress of our people.
As we move forward in our desire to achieving sustainable progress and overall
socio-political and economic development of the people
of Lokoja/ Koton Karfe, in Kogi State, I believe this Town Hall
Meeting will provide the unique platform for discussion based on depth of experience and historical context that will forge the future of our state.
Let me at this instance commend the Executive Committee for their efforts
and determination to preparing a Blueprint for the take-off of this agenda.
I am confident that the outcome will be a celebrated success for all of us.
My dear brothers and sisters, let me remind you once again that, the aims and objectives of this forum is to unite our people and agree on a common goal that will improve socio-economic well-being and ensure sustainable progress for our people.
It’s important to clearly highlights key objectives of this forum as follows:
(1)To promote inclusive political participation as well as protect and
defend the genuine interest of our people.
(2) serve as the mouthpiece of our people in the pursuit of our agenda.
3) provide a safe haven for all-inclusive political participation and gains
(4) Create opportunities, leverage on locational advantage to make Lokoja-Koton the preferred economic and political hub of
the state. And
(5) To project, defend and protect genuine interest of our people.
Ladies and gentlemen, the membership composition of this Forum cuts across ethnic, religious and party affiliations and to this extent, we stand
strong to defend our objectives.
At this initial stage, funding of this forum is essentially done by members out their goodwill and patriotism. However, we need to define a sustainable means to guarantee smooth take-off and ensure consistency in the mission.
As we all know, a defining feature of Nigerian politics has always been the struggle between majority and minority ethnic groups.
The majority ethnic groups of Igala, Ebira and Okun have dominated the Committee of the Forum who despite their very busy schedules took time out to join us today to deliberate on key issues, challenges and opportunities that are of serious concern to our people.
Ladies and Gentlemen; the facts that this Town Hall Meeting is taking place here today demonstrates our true commitment to our people
and we consider this meeting as a critical tool in consulting with key stakeholders to build consensus and foster understanding on a common
goal of improving the socio-economic wellbeing and progress of our people
people. As we move forward in our desire to achieving sustainable
progress and overall socio-political and economic development of the
people of Lokoja/ Koton Karfe, in Kogi State, I believe this Town Hall
Meeting will provide the unique platform for discussions based on depth
of knowledge, experience and historical context that will forge the
future of our state.
Let me at this instance commend the Executive Committee for their
efforts and determination to preparing a Blueprint for the take-off of this
Agenda. I am confident that the outcome will be a celebrated success
for all of us. My dear brothers and sisters, let me remind you once again
that, the aims and objectives of this forum is to unite our people political landscape in Kogi State without consideration for the minority
and this has created imbalance in the political system. The many
minority groups affected with this imbalance include, Egbira-Koto,
Nupe, Kupa, Bassan-Nge, Oworo, Gwari, Ogori-Magongo, Bassa-
Kwomu and Hausa community in the state. These minority groups
have been largely ignored in the political consideration in the State
as the Igalas tribe have ruled for about 18 years while Ebiras will
complete 8 years by 2024. The Okuns have had their own share in
acting capacity and the same set of ethnic groups have been rotating the position of Deputy Governor since the creation of state.
We share a vested interest as stakeholders in Kogi State and as
members of minority groups who seek equality in political representation in Kogi State. The Lokoja and koto-Karfe people’s forum
had a chance to change history in the past when our candidates
in 2011 and 2019 respectively, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Kutepa and
Alhaji Sulaiman Baba-Ali joined the race for the governorship election which
outcomes were unfairly calculated but we can charge the narrative today Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this is why we are here today to discuss and agree on the available options and prepare for a long haul
which outcome depends on serious consultation, calming planning, cooperation and above all sacrifice.
To this end, I therefore seek your kind indulgence and appeal to all
members of this forum to remain focus on the objectives so that we can have favourable outcomes from this important Meeting.
May Amighty Allah (SWT) guide and protect with us Amin.
Thank you for listening.
God bless you all.
Alhaji (Dr) Rajab Naibi
