To whom much is given, much more is actually expected. This saying does not readily work in the political climate of Nigeria because most times much is given to one and less is gotten in return. A lot of examples of those that much was given and less or nothing was gained readily comes to mind but not for the purpose of this piece. So, when you see a radical departure from the line of non-performing administrators like Governor Ododo Ahmed Usman, it is not out of place to display such a different personality or leader for public applause.
The good and great leadership that a leader provides today is the legacy that he bequeaths and same will be the premise upon which he will be remembered in the years ahead–these years ahead includes the years after office. Good work cum great performance becomes the gasoline that will keep the light of his future remembrance burning, plus an unending flow of accolades.
With the facts on ground and without excessively deodorizing the incumbent or casting aspersions on those predecessors who have done their very best in the running of the affairs of our dear Kogi State, Governor Ododo Ahmed Usman is a performer, 365 days is enough to map out a clear direction that a serious governor or government intends to take. Clearly, he has shown that he is on the lane of consolidation. Of course, the setting out for a robust and enjoyable Sunday begins from a beautiful Saturday.
From the day the calm and underrated flower boy took over the reins of leadership of the state, his calm aura breathed the breeze of peace into the atmospheric condition of the state. His first point of call was to ease the burden on the locals, the main people and the last line in the order of citizenry, yet the most important set of people; those at the local governments and grassroot. What is a state or country without the grassroot? A thriving state will definitely have a thriving grassroot and a thriving youth empowerment, induction and inclusion system. The blend of experience elders interfacing with the vibrant youth helps with a robust continuity and a continuous development in a state.
Governor Ododo took over when the economy of the world at large was shaky, but he has his plans, he is an accountant, he knew where to block the holes and cut down the excesses, he knew where to touch for the IGR to increase, he was ready to lobby at the top just in other to draw more developments to his state, one year after, those gains are beginning to flow in, in multitudinous. Incase you can do a tour around the length and breadth of the state, you will agree with me that there is not one local government that something is not being done. In case you cannot do a statewide visit, a visit to the state capital alone is enough to convince you.
One after the other, he has touched and is able to redirect all the sectors of the state towards his consolidation agenda, a look into those sectors and the much he has been able to do gives us a peep into how his four years of first tenure will end. Let’s take them one after the other as brief as we can.
On security:
Over 300 operational vehicles and 1000 motorbikes were provided for conventional security operatives, vigilante group and local hunters. These Siena buses are what you see around the local checkpoints when you travel into Kogi State from different areas, they are provided to ease the security mobility of the over 3000 personnel recruited as members of the state vigilante services and local hunters. You can’t but agree that the spate of kidnapping and insecurity has reduced in the state. You will also agree with me that insecurity went on the rise owing to the fact that Kogi State borders so many states of the nation. Criminals from neighboring state flee into the state to seek refuge. By the time they have firmly cooled down, the next thing is to look for how to continue with their criminality in their new domain. Afterall, what else can a criminal do other than commit more crimes.
My findings also made me to know that a certain fund is set aside for the regular clearance operations to rid the state of criminals. Another laudable move is the establishment of forward operational base of the Nigerian Army in Omala Local Government Area. The establishment of Police Quick Response Unit and the reduction in number of security breaches across the state are chess moves that solves a lot of insecurity.
On Agriculture and Food Security:
I am aware that Kogi State use to be among the state that ranks high on cost of food and living, I am also aware that this trend is gradually declining and food is becoming cheaper and more available in the state because of those proactive steps the state governor has taken, since he resumed office. I am aware that over 50 Billion naira was spent on Agricultural Mechanization, Seedlings and other inputs.
I and my boss were at the tractor repairing site at Felele in Lokoja, where recovered tractors where been repaired, upgraded, remodeled and put back to full use. I was also at different farm sites which are scattered all over the state. From Ibaji to Bassa to Ejiba to Odo-Ape to Giriyan amongst many other places were these clusters of rice and other crop farms are located. Over 10,000 hectares of land where cultivated by 10,000 farmers in over 70 farm clusters established across 21 local government areas in the state. I am aware that over 50 trucks of fertilizers were also delivered to farmers in growing their crops. Also, over 20% reductions in price of staple food items is now guaranteed in the state.
On Infrastructure, Strategic Partnerships and Business Promotion:
The performing governor has completed 5.5 kilometers zone 8 roundabout-crusher road in Lokoja the capital of Kogi State. This was an ongoing project by the former Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello. This shows the love and insistence of Mr. Governor on consolidation and resuscitation of dead or dying projects. In the same vein, the flower boy has completed the 9 kilometers zone 8 roundabout-GYB junction road also in Lokoja.
Not resting on his oars, he has also completed the 8 kilometers Okaito-Obangede road with spurs from Obangede to Ogaminana and Obangede to Ihima. He has also completed over 100 kilometers of township roads and 65 kilometers of rural roads across the 21 local government areas. Within one year, he has established Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Kogi State Solid Minerals Development and Marketing Agency, Commodity Exchange, Export Processing and Marketing Agency and two new ministries, namely; The Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Livestock. All these ministries and agencies are created to shore up the administration’s performances and ameliorate the suffering of indigenes of the state.
The revamping of the banquet hall, building of a new conference hall, security command and control center, the new media center at the government house, Lokoja are all top ups and icing on the developmental cake.
On Education, Health Care and Social Welfare:
The governor was quick to implement the minimum wage announced by the Federal Government with a slight top up. N72,500 was announced, approved and now operational as the minimum wage for civil servants in the state. As if that is not enough, he pays the workers salary unfailingly on the 25th of every month. He recently announced the immediate payment of backlogs of arrears for Local Government staff from year 2020 to date. He also announced the payment of severance package for those appointees that worked with former Gov. Idris Wada. He has also revitalized over 150 Primary Health Care Centers in the state, where over 1000 pensioner now enjoy free health care services.
Over 300,000 civil servants and others are now covered by the state health insurance scheme. All orphans, care givers, widows of ex-service men, pregnant women, children aged 0-5 years and people living with disabilities now enjoy free insurance cover.
On education, Gov. Ododo has paid over N600 million fees for Senior Secondary Examination Certificate (SSCE), for final year students in public schools and plans are in the pipeline to do more. There is also the restoration of subventions to all youth and students’ associations.
On Environment and Sustainable Development Goals:
I learnt that N29.9 billion erosion control contracts were awarded for locations in Kabba-Bunu, Ankpa and Okene local government areas, I also learnt that over 3 billion naira community revolving fund was approved to support farmers impacted by climate change. If this is not heartwarming, nothing may be again.
Another interesting thing that I noticed is the improvement in governance, service delivery and ease of doing things. This is because the Ododo administration had established the Governance Delivery Unit, he also created the Key Performance Indicators [KPI], for all government officials.
The Promotion and provision of official vehicles for judges in different categories of courts in the state judiciary is welcoming. And to keep the civil servant up to date, he has approved the continuous professional development training for civil servants, and public office holders for improvement and overall service delivery. All these and many more in 365 days.
With the way he is going about his work and his love to please his people, albeit his efforts to unit every faction, tribe and group in the state, one won’t be surprised at the seamlessness in the way he will flow into his second term in office seeing the quantum of acceptability he daily gets.
Babajide Obafemi is a public affairs analyst, Political Editor of Lagos Indicator Magazine and the Managing Editor of NewsHub Mag!
