From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
As governor Usman Ododo marks his first year in office today, prominent individuals and stakeholders are felicitating with the governor commending him on the achievements so far recorded.
Among them is a Kogi State born technocrat Dr. Patrick Adebola
who is the Executive Director, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, CRIN, who commended Ododo administration for working round the clock to improve human resources and infrastructure in the Confluence State, the fruits of which he described as visible to all in the state and beyond.
In a press statement made available to newsmen in lokoja,
Dr Adebola listed timely payment of salary, implementation of the minimum wage, payment of the West African Examination Council, WAEC fees, and bursary awards, road constructions, and prompt attention to ecological problems as part of the positive things that herald the Ododo stewardship and urged him to remain focused on his style of uniting the people through purposeful leadership.
“I am delighted to say that just as President Tinubu is restoring hope back in Nigeria through his transformation agenda, Ododo has not left anyone in doubt about his preparedness for leadership. The first year was a very promising start. He has prioritised security, education, welfare, and social investment programs.
“His dedication to infrastructure development in the newly established Kogi State University, Kabba, is a game changer, especially for the area and the entire state.
“One will like to see more activities in agriculture since it is the main occupation of our people. The administration should also look at the solid minerals subsector as a veritable means of industrialising the state.
Also a former PPD governorship aspirant and a data scientist, Chief Momoh Obaro has felicitated with the State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, his Deputy, Joel Salifu Oyibo on the occasion of their first anniversary in office pointing out that the visit of President Bola Tinubu is eloquent that things are on the right track, and charged the administration to remain committed to peace, infrastructure development and other ideals of good governance.
Obaro, who is also the Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the United Kingdom, said the governor has started well and thus far proven to be sensitive to the yearnings of the citizenry. He noted that the governor seems well prepared and determined to succeed in his public service career, adding that his steps have again rekindled hope and the dreams of our founding fathers.
‘It is a good thing that you have restored hope through the full payment of salaries and being the first to implement the N72, 000 minimum wage to the State and Local Government workers. No one will also ignore your payment of the West African Examination Council, WAEC fees, and bursary awards to tertiary institution students’ policies
“One is also impressed by the news about the equitable distribution of projects across the three Senatorial Districts. Without doubts, you have proven that you came to serve Kogi State selflessly, putting smiles on the faces of the masses.
“Don’t be distracted, and don’t let the accolades get into your head. There is yet so much work to be done to make our economy competitive and self-sustaining. Mechanised farming and harnessing the vast mineral potentials beneath our soil may be the way to go if our state must truly excell.
“As I urge the people to continue in their unalloyed support for the government, it is my prayer that God will use the lessons of the past year to guide you in making the right choices for our dear state” . He added