Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State— The Governor Ododo Ahmed Usman example.
By Otori Ozigi
There is no gainsaying that the administration of Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman has shown his total commitment to translate his campaign promises into reality, beyond mere proclamations.
Events unfolding since his inauguration on the January 27,2024, have clearly defined the visionary and purposeful leadership qualities of the the dynamic and pragmatic governor.
The uncommon trajectory playing out from the seat of power in Lokoja, the state capital, is that the administration of Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman would be doing things differently,in the years ahead.
It is on record that the youthful governor is the first governor in the history of Kogi State who named and sworn-in his cabinet members and other principal Staff within few days after inuaguration.
That is a testament of his seriousness and dogged political sagacity to hit the ground running with a clear vision and unwavering commitment to translate his campaign promises into quick actions and reality.
First, the government of Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman had set his eyes on rejigging the economy of the state by seeking ways to improve tax administration in the state.
In view of the above,he has set a new record of IGR performance target of over N35b for the State Internal Revenue Service, KGIRS, for this year.
This is in keeping with the resolve to complement the monthly allocations from the federation account committee, FAC.
Secondly, the government is leaving no stone unturned to improve the infrastructure architecture and human capital development by impacting on the lives of the citizens through life changing policies and programs.
In keeping with the foregoing,he had commenced the the first phase of the quarterly distribution of palliatives targeted at the lower echelons and the poorest of the poor, in all the wards of the 21 Local Government Areas of the State.
This is in direct response to the current economic hardships being experienced by all segments of the country.
On efforts to harness the tourism potentials of the state, the government has commissioned a team of tourism experts to commence on the spot assessment of all tourism sites across the three senatorial districts of the state.
The team are presently on the guided tours of tourism potentials in the state.
As at this morning, the team had visited Kogi West and some parts of Kogi central as part of the ongoing extensive tour.
On the area of Environmental services and Waste management, the administration of Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman had given directive to the Ministry of Environment to ensure a cleaner and healthy environment in the state capital, Lokoja and it’s environs, while efforts would be made to extend their campaign and activities to all rural communities across the state.
Another efforts of the state government in the last few weeks in office is the plan to deliver no fewer than 100 key projects in the rural areas within the first 100 days in office.
These projects which are at various stages,would be completed before the month of May, 2024.
Another efforts of the government aimed at delivering dividends of democracy to the people is the plan for provision of clean and portable water in Ebiraland and Lokoja axis, with the distribution of water treatment chemicals on Thursday,for the Okene water works and the old Lokoja water works respectively.
On the whole, it is evidently clear that the youthful governor is on course to deliver quality and purposeful leadership in the state.
And he looks very much in a hurry to achieve total consolidation and continuity of the legacies of the immediate past governor of Kogi State Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello,in the years ahead.
Let’s play our individual and collective supportive roles to the government of Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman to achieve a robust economy and prosperous state that would be a pride to all Kogites.
The task of good governance is our collective responsibility.
The government can not do it alone.
Otori Ozigi, a veteran journalist and PR Consultant, writes from Okene, Kogi State.
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