IBRAHIM SHUAIBU OZOKO
Today history is again made in Kogi State as Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo received the mantle of leadership as the 5th executive governor of the state. The development followed the expiration of the tenure of his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello who served the state for a two term of eight years. By this arrangement, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo alongside his deputy will be piloting the affairs of the state for the next four years with a constitutional right to once again seek the people’s mandate to renew their tenure in office when it expires in 2027.
Naturally, in every society, it is an undeniable fact that the people usually receive new administration with high expectations considering the level of promises made by the leader during electioneering. Unfortunately, Alhaji Usman Ododo is coming on board at a more difficult time in the nation’s history due to the high level of inflation occasioned by some of tough decisions taken by the federal government to Save the country of its financial challenge. In spite of the challenge, I doubt if the people of Kogi state will accept excuses or anything short of good leadership. I believe that the majority of people in Kogi state choose Alhaji Ahmed Ododo ahead of other contenders because they believed in his capacity to deliver a task he must settle down to achieve.
Although, the brand new governor before coming into Office, has his developmental plan for the state, it will not be out of place to point out some areas he should give attention to as he hits the ground running.
As we all know, his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello during his reign as governor, performed wonderfully well in the areas of security, infrastructure, tertiary education, primary and Secondary health care, rural electrification, women inclusion in governance and youth empowerment. As the saying goes “governance is continual” . There is no leader who can single-handedly solve societal demands within the lifespan of the constitutional term in Office.
Consequently, as Alhaji Usman Ododo settles for the task ahead, he should first prioritise the revival of the greater Lokoja water project to solve the perennial water problem in the state capitaland it’s environs. To achieve this, he must bring in an expert to diagnose why the water project cannot be sustained in spite of the huge resources expended by his predecessor. When that is achieved, the people must be made to pay for it to ensure sustainability. Except if we want to deceive ourselves, the era that any government will have to provide free water for citizens is gone .
Secondly, the brand new governor should give special attention to primary education. In doing so, there should be special funding for the rehabilitation and maintenance of primary schools across the state. And most importantly, the welfare of teachers at that level should be prioritized and made equal if not better than that of the state workers. Your Excellency sir, if this can be done there will be greater School enrolment and most importantly reduce burden on parents who are paying exorbitant amounts to private schools owners due to collapse in Public primary schools.
Sir, because I want you to succeed, your policy on Sport development must be robust. Before now, Kogi state is known for winning medals in the games of football, table tennis, volleyball, handball, basketball and so many other sporting activities, as we compete in National sports festivals. Today, that gains have been eroded. That was the days when our youths were visibly busy and engaged in one sporting activity or the other with little or no time to engage in crime or other social vices. As it stands now, most youth in the state in their prime age have become internet fraudsters, prostitutes and drug addicts. To change this narrative, there should be massive investment in sport in the first one year with revival of schools competition and inter house sports. Government must must come up with a deliberate policy to construct at least one sporting complex with indoor games in each local government areas to keep the youth busy and thereby promoting sports at the grass root level as well as freeing the youthful populations from unnecessary idleness.
More so, to achieve meaningful success during your reign as we all crave for and eagerly expected, your government must carry out massive urban renewal, particularly at the state capital. While, we commend the immediate past governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for giving the state the first ever fly over bridge wich put an end to the traffic challenge in ganaja junction, the lightning of major roads in the state capital, giving a face lift to Public buildings and other critical infrastructure in the state capital, more needed to be done to address the challenge of encroachment in the state capital. For those who know the state capital too well, will understand how people have tactically encroached on roads, schools, Public facilities with a whole lot of others erecting buildings without any form of approval from the state town planning. For us to catch up with others, the government must take deliberate steps to reverse the ugly trends. As we all know, most of the big cities we admire around the world due happened by accident, but through deliberate planning.
More importantly, the government of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo must prioritise the development of tourism. We can’t be bounded by ten states and blessed with a whole lot of tourists attraction and not make good use of it. Your Excellency sir, you need to redesign and reconstruct, Confluence Beach Hotel. We must provide speed boards and watch that wil ferry tourists to the confluence to have view of where the rivers Niger and Benue meets. We must build a resort on Mount Patti with all necessary facilities that will make the place a destination for holiday seekers . A lot of people will appreciate the pleasure of enjoying a serene life on top of the mountain surrounded by nature. What about the cave in Koton karfi, the Agbaja Plateau and many more in the state which when developed will make the state the destination of all.
Finally your Excellency, you must evolve a deliberate strategy to tell your own success story. Like the saying goes, when a lie is told too often take it for the truth. I think part of the challenge faced but your predecessor was lacking the right team to tell the world on the administration success story. They put themselves in a position where they only come out to defend which is not good in a public relations. You must recruit a reputable and committed media team with the right contact and ability to project your achievements via the right medium to carry the Public along with your developmental plans. Without doubt, i believe you can achieve what ever goal you have set to achieve once you put the right people on board. Take your time in scouting for the best minds from the state who share in your dream to continue on the path of progress which was laid by your predecessor.
Ibrahim Shuaibu Ozoko is a Kogi State Indigene, Media Professional and News Editor with Radio Nigeria Headquarters in Abuja,he write from Abuja.
