The essence of democracy is, first of all, its people-oriented nature, meaning it is people-centered, rather than representing a specific group.
Democracy thus strives to alleviate the conflicts among various classes, rather than increase or even create them. It is this essence that endear such a system of government to the good people of Kogi state as they not only embrace it, but work to enthrone and sustain it with vigour.
The need to continue to maximally enjoy the fruits and benefits of democratic governance motivates the need for Inclusive governance, which goes beyond mere representation to actively involve marginalized groups, such as women, in policy design, implementation, and evaluation. It entails creating an environment where diverse voices are valued, respected, and integrated into all phases of the policymaking process.
Inclusive governance strongly stresses equitable participation, recognizing the exceptional experiences and needs of marginalized groups. It ensures that their perspectives are heard and actively shapes policies, fostering more inclusivity.
It is this realization that prompted the people of Ogori Magongo Local government to continue to yell out in the sea of drowning voices and under the heavy weight of marginalization and exclusion from all forms of empowerment in Kogi state.
For several years now, democratic governance has come to stay in Kogi state along with its possibilities and challenges; the present democratic governance birthed in Kogi state, with election of governors and leadership at all other level. It is also accompanied with other appointment so as to give the people a true sense of belonging and oneness. Kogi state is one of the states with multiple ethnic groups, it thus becomes very important that government policies and programmes be design to carry everybody along and, in the process, give them sense of worth and inclusion.
By amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, inclusive governance encourages equity, reinforces democracy, and leads to more effective and sustainable policies. It is through inclusive governance that we can build a society that truly values and respects the rights and aspirations of all its citizen. Sadly, the essence of inclusive governance has not been rooted, particularly as regard the involvement of marginalized communities in the state.
Realizing these benefits, we need to and must continue to prong the leadership to promote inclusive governance and give everyone a true sense of belonging.
Sadly, with the new government in Kogi state and the presence of multiple ethnic groups, the recent appointment has been lopsided and generation ill feeling and a sense of marginalization.
From the time immemorial, political appointment in Kogi state has been fairly distributed across the state and along the ethnic and other interest groups. The case of small local government like the Ogori Magongo was taken into consideration and the people were happy, to say the least; in the defunct Kwara state and some parts of Niger and Kaduna States during the Second Republic, many of the Ogori Magongo indigenes were appointed as Commissioners and served as Permanent Secretaries in various ministries in the aforementioned states.
The consequence of this policy was that the people were happy and wholeheartedly contributed to the development of the domiciled states.Ogori Magongo is one of the local government in Kogi state, people with men and women, who had made and still making their impacts in all fields of human endeavor. Its headquarter at Akpafa,provides a veritable group, where men and women of like and great minds have emerged and continue to emerge to make national and international impacts.
Today, the local government remains one that has contributed immensely to the development of Kogi state and Nigeria. Today, it is one local government, who’s the impacts and achievements of her people in all field of human endeavor has continue to add value to our dear nation and giving us positive branding in the process.
The policy of the success leaders in the state has sort of dismembered the people and stripping them from the ability to make more meaning to their lives and stations in life. The people are not politically empowered nor are the economically empowered, clearly demonstration a threat level of marginalization which the people have been subjected to.
Politically, in their quest for a seat in the national assembly to represent Okene/Ogori Magongo Federal constituency, the zone suffered marginalization, the same with its attempt to occupy the Kogi Central Senatorial Zone. When the issues of the governorship or the deputy is considered, the Ogori Magongo,was also left out in the whole representations.
To add more salt to already pained injuries, the recent appointment by the newly sworn in Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo,has shown that the marginalization of the Ogori Magongo people was deliberate and the government care less about the welfare and the feelings of the people.
For out of the newly swore in commissioners, while seven were from Ebira tribes, three came from Okene local government, another two came from Okehi local government while only one came from Adavi, and another one from Ajaokuta local government, thus, leaving Ogori Magongo local government to wallow in marginalization. What was our crime? What have we done to deserve such a punishment.
The pains in the hearts of our people are much and deep, it can only be assuaged by social justice, inclusive governance and fair representations. To empower the people is to empower the state with consequent development.
To empower the people is to help address most of the challenges facing the state, as the people will put in their best to help government fight insecurity and underdevelopment.
All hope is not lost, the need government can expand the portfolio of Commissioners in the state, so as to accommodate more of the marginalized groups in the state.
The state government can also work with the federal government so as to help more indigenes to get federal and ambassadorial appointments as a way to assuage the feelings of the marginalized groups.
With these done and the people empowered, I can bet it that the Ododo’s administration will be one of the best things to have happened to Kogi state.
OKENE/OGORI MAGONGO FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY:
1999-2003 – Hon. Sani Stephen- Okene LGA
2003-2007- Hon. Abdulazeez Idris King
Okene LGA
2007- 2023 (12years)
Hon. Yusuf Ahmed Tijani
Okene LGA
2023 till Date
Hon. Tijani Muhammed Ozigi.
Okene LGA
SENATE KOGI CENTRAL (Okene,Okehi, Adavi, Ajaokuta and Ogori Magongo LGA)
1999-2003
Senator Ahmed Tijani Ahmed
Okene LGA
2003-2007
Senator M.S. Ohiare
Adavi LGA
2007-2011
Senator Otaru Ohize
Okene LGA
2011-2015
Senator Nurudeen Abatemi
Okene LGA
2019-2023
Senator Yakubu Oseni
Adavi LGA
2023- till Date
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Okehi LGA
PRESENT KOGI STATE COMMISSIONERS FROM KOGI CENTRAL
1.Barr Muiz Yunus Abdullahi – Attorney general (Okene)
2. Dr Adams Abdulaziz- Health (Okene)
3. Mohammed Adbulmutalib – Rural Development (Okene)
*Okene LGA = 3*
1. Salami Ozigi-Deedat (Okehi) – Local government and Chieftaincy
2. Fatima Momoh (Okehi) – Women Affairs
*Okehi LGA = 2*
1. Engr Mohammed A Yusuf – Works (Adavi)
*Adavi LGA = 1*
1. Abanika Taye (Ajaokuta) – Transport
*Ajaokuta LGA = 1*
PAST KOGI STATE GOVERNORS
Prince Abubakar Audu considered Ogori Magongo for Commissioner ( Kogi East)
Alh. Ibrahim Idris considered Ogori Magongo for Commissioners (Kogi East).
Capt. Idris Wada considered Ogori Magongo for SSG ( Kogi East)
Alh. Yahaya Bello (8 years) no commissioner from Ogori Magongo LGA (Kogi Central)
Alh. Usman ODODO incumbent Governor out of 17 Commissioners none from Ogori Magongo (Kogi Central).
Signed:
MR MOSES ADEDEJI
Convener- Climate Justice Activist
Civil Societies Organization
Ogori Magongo LGA, Kogi State, Nigeria
Tel:08030415288
05 February ,2024
