By Dada Ahmed
Barely a week after his inauguration as the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Chief Edward Onoja is set to commission more projects in Kogi East before February runs out.
Mr Promise Emmanuel, the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, disclosed this in a statement in Lokoja on Tuesday.
This is against the backdrop of some of the infrastructure the present administration of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello put in place for the improvement of the social and economic life of the people of the state, according Emmanuel.
These include boreholes located in communities such as Ochaja Ogoh, Emonyoku Ochaja, Ofode Ogugu, Ogene Ogugu, Ogodu, Ogene Oforachi, Open Market Emagaba, Adupi Emoriko, the chief Press Secretary said.
Others are in Odagba in Ankpa, Emakwuracha, Sabongari Ogugu, Ugbamaka Igah, Ofakaga in Ofu, Adumu Igah, Amaka in Igalamela Odu, Ajaka, Ankpa and Ega Orinono.
Also commissioned is the Adupi Emoriko Town Hall with others nearing completion for commissioning later in the month.
On religious intervention, the number two citizen of the state has also facilitated pilgrimages that covered the three Senatorial districts.
As at last count, about 30 persons were sponsored to Makkah for the Hajj Pilgrimage by Muslim faithful, Onojs from the three Senatorial districts of the state.
Also, 32 Christians were sponsored to the Holy Land in Jerusalem from the three Senatorial districts.
On religious infrastructure intervention, the Deputy Governor also galvanized the strength of his network to see to the completion of the Okpo Central Mosque in Olamaboro Local Government Area.
The United Evangelical Church Odo Eto also recieved the same gesture. Besides this, other UEC churches across the Area Conferences also benefited from his intervention.
This month, UEC Lokoja Area Conference is to receive a brand new 18 Seater Hiace Bus.
About nine (9) buses were also donated to UEC, Christian Association of Nigeria, Kogi Youth Wing.
The same support was extended to different Muslim Youth Groups such as Albayan Educational Institution in Ankpa, Cuncil of Ulammah in Ankpa and National Council of Muslim Youths Organization. Other supports ranging from cash to renovations also cut across Kogi state.
At Anyigba, Chief Onoja galvanized friends, associates, political colleagues, legislators and well meaning Kogites, to contributedl immensely to the rebuilding, remodeling and expansion of the 1,000 capacity Igala Unity House, with topping of 11 Room Guests Lodge.
This Onajo did with the active of his boss, Bello.
In the same mien, the Ogugu Town Hall building foundation has been laid.
He has also completed all necessary plans to drive support of funding for the construction of two ultra modern Guest Houses for the Attah of Igala, HRM, Dr. Idakwo Michael Ameh Oboni II, at Ankpa and Anyigba respectively.
The aged and vulnerable are not also left out, within the time under review, 5 Houses were built for senior citizens who had no roofs over their heads.
Hundreds of health interventions, which include direct funding and government assistance were also recorded for many Kogi indigenes.
On education, in 2019 alone, Edward Onoja paid Law School Fees for Kogi state students across the 21 local government areas of the state.
University tuition fees were also paid in their hundreds along with JAMB, NECO and WAEC fees for many college students who could not afford payment.
In his magnanimity and visionary nature, he has also given capital-seed support to many Kogi indigenes, to set up small scale businesses.
These crisscross artisans, market women and other brown collar hustlers are happy with his project toward their well-being.
He has also facilitated hundreds of jobs for Kogites at the Federal, state and private organisations, leveraging on the influence of his office.
Not tired on the Let’s Do More focus of the New Direction Government for the next 4 years, Onojs is also set to begin another era of commissioning more projects soon.
They include Boreholes at Adeh Open Market, Ofa/Etutekpe, Inele, Anyigba Ogugu, Emakpe Iyagwu and Imane.
Others are town halls at Imane Odidoko, Emedugwu Youth and Emoyonku Ochaja.
According to Onoja, one of the Halls will be named after Governor Yahaya Bello as a mark of honor and appreciation for his love for his Deputy and confidant over the years.
This Onoja the Governor unequivocally re-emphasized on the 27th of January 2020 during his inauguration and swearing-in into office for second term.
” I thank my team in the New Direction Administration, most especially His Excellency, Chief Edward Onoja, my siamese twin and the Deputy Governor of Kogi State,” the governor said.
Bello said his love for Onoja was based on his hard work and loyalty as well as followership which enabled him to pilot” this ship with minimum distractions.
He described Onoja as a Godly politician, an astute visionary and a talented strategist who had proved his worth to him, to Kogi state and to our party, APC,again, first as my Chief of Staff and now as my Deputy,” Bello added.
According to the Deputy Governor, the next 4 years of the New Direction administration would be serious work, to consolidate on the existing efforts so far achieved as a sign of appreciation to Kogi indigenes for renewing the GYB/CEDO mandate.
On his resolve to focus on rural water infrastructure, he disclosed that his passion stemming from his background as a geologist which availed him the knowledge and importance of water to man.
He said seeing vulnerable rural people trekking many kilometers to access stream water which for domestic use worried greatly.
He said the plight of the rural population, yearning for potable water propelled the New Direction Government in digging over 300 boreholes in Kogi State, mostly in rural Kogi East.
“Water is life thus when people have access to clean water, it reduces fatal health issues accruing from consumption of unclean water which causes preventable waterborne diseases.
