Courtesies
I am pleased, on behalf of the distinguished honourable Members of the Kogi State House of Assembly, to welcome Your Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Fifth Executive Governor of Kogi State. I also extend our warm regards to members of His Excellency’s entourage to the plenary session of the House to witness the presentation of Year 2025 Budget Estimates.
Your Excellency, this is a moment of historic significance as it marks the first of your eight-budget presentations in this hallowed chamber, Insha Allah. This presentation underscores the vital partnership between the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government. I, therefore, have the honour to welcome Your Excellency warmly and thank you, on behalf of this House, for your unwavering support to this Arm of Government. This support has been instrumental in strengthening our collective resolve to advance the governance of Kogi State.
Your presence at this hallowed chamber today reaffirms the importance of the constitutional collaboration amongst the three Arms of Government, a necessary coaction that embodies the cornerstone of democracy and fosters mutual respect and cooperation in the implementation of policies and programmes that enhance the welfare and aspirations of our citizens.
The 2025 Budget Estimates you are about to present will soon receive the attention of this august House. As representatives of the people, it is our sacred duty to scrutinize the budget proposals to ensure they reflect the financial plan, vision, priorities and commitment of the State Government in addressing the welfare, needs and aspirations of the citizens of Kogi State through inclusive development, economic growth, social security and justice. This process symbolizes our shared commitment to advancing the progress of our dear State through effective governance.
Your Excellency, under your leadership, this House has continued to fulfil its legislative mandate through meaningful deliberations and the enactment of laws aimed at improving the lives of our people.
As we proceed with the process of passing the Appropriation Bill, I urge my honourable Colleagues to approach this significant task with sense of duty and purpose. We shall work together to ensure that the policies and programmes reflected in this budget contribute meaningfully to the progress and prosperity of our dear State.
I call on the Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies to cooperate fully with the relevant committees during the budget defence process. Your prompt responses and comprehensive engagements will facilitate a thorough and efficient review of the 2024 approved budget and passage of the 2025 proposed budget to guarantee successful implementation.
In the last 17 months, we have every reason to appreciate you and Your Excellency’s predecessor, our Leader, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the former Executive Governor of Kogi State for the friendly support in ensuring good governance in our dear State.
We appreciate Your Excellency’s continued support to the House since your assumption to duty. On behalf of this august House, I extend our deepest gratitude to you for gracing us with your presence today and for your sincere commitment to upholding the dignity of this institution. Thank you for the many initiatives and approvals that have significantly enhanced the functioning of the State House of Assembly.
Notably, we thank Your Excellency for the approval granted to the House to enjoy additional subvention ushering in the financial autonomy to the State House of Assembly. We thank Your Excellency further for granting the request to improve the infrastructure within the Assembly Complex and other House of Assembly premises, including the digitalisation of this Chamber to make it modern and comparable to any standard hallowed chamber for plenary session.
We also recognize Your Excellency’s commitment to fulfilling the expectations of the leadership and members of the State House of Assembly, membership of the State House of Assembly Service Commission and the respective management officers and staff of the legislative service. We all are looking forward to Your Excellency’s actions with deep appreciation, particularly the assured provision of buses to ease the pains and difficulties of daily transportation, the back-up and escort vehicles to the leadership of the House.
Furthermore, we are grateful for the ongoing efforts to construct the 4km road within the Assembly Quarters, complete with street lighting to ensure security and accessibility. The support for capacity building to the management and staff of the State House of Assembly, and for the membership of this esteemed House to attend to official and personal matters within and outside the shores of our dear country is here mentioned to appreciate Your Excellency in ensuring effective legislative service in Kogi State.
Once again, I warmly welcome Your Excellency to this august House as we look forward to your presentation. We are confident that your address will undoubtedly inspire us and provide valuable insights for the tasks ahead.
Now, with great honour, I invite Your Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, to lay before this esteemed House the 2025 Budget Estimates and address this honourable House accordingly.
Your Excellency Sir.
RT HON Aliyu Umar YUSUF,
SPEAKER
