By Dada Ahmed in Okene
With peaceful celebration of the annual cultural festival- Ekuechi in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi state, Hajia Bilkisu Aliyu, the Vice Chairman of the local government, has urged the people of the area to be optimistic for a fulfilled and greater 2021 in all ramifications.
Aliyu, who gave the advice in a statement in Okene, expressed the hope that despite the difficulties of 2020, the new year would be fulfilled, if government at all levels make the people, the centre point of theirpolicies and programmes.
She acknowledged the resilience, commitment and perseverance of citizens of the area in the midst of socioeconomic and political difficulties in 2020 and urged them to reignite their undying spirit and enter 2021 with vigour and hope.
The Vice chairman,however,expressed confidence in the ability of the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello to continue to impact positively on the lives of the people of Kogi State.
According to her, the present administration in the state government left no stone unturned, in its avowed determination to develop the state and improve on the lives of the people, most especially women.
Meanwhile, the lyrics and tone of songs that transpired in the just concluded Ekuechi festival centred on the need for the people of Central Senatorial district to unite for a common goal to move the district to the next level of development.
Musa, the custodian of Oganireba masquerade, urged political leaders from the district on the need to put the welfare of the people as the cardinal principle of their programmes, with a view to bringing dividends of democracy to the larger population, especially at the grassroots.
He commended Governor Yahaya Bello’s Government for its achievements for the state and urged Nigerians to support him,in his bid to be elected the president of Nigeria, come 2023.
One of the celebrants of the festival, Alhaji Mohammed Chatta, who spoke with our correspondent in Okene, described the 2020 edition of the luna calendar festival as most peaceful.
“To the best of my knowledge, as one those that witnessed the festival, there was no any crisis of sort any where in Okene or its environs while the festival lasted,” he said.
The Reporters correspondent, however, observes that operators of some external social and economic activities in the area, especially the transporters and owners of hospitality outfits, cashed in on the festival to make brisk business with increased service charges.
