By Ojotule Romanus
As Kogi State marks it’s 35th anniversary, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, has called for greater collaboration among citizens and stakeholders to drive the state’s next phase of development.
Ododo made the declaration in his 35th Anniversary Broadcast on Thursday, marking the creation of Kogi State on August 27, 1991.
The Governor proposed the establishment of the Kogi Shared Prosperity and Transformation Council to support the implementation of the Kogi State Development Plan 2024–2056 and provide a platform for accomplished Kogites, political leaders, development experts, academics, professionals, entrepreneurs and young people to contribute to the state’s development.
“I am proposing the establishment of the Kogi Shared Prosperity and Transformation Council to support the implementation of the Kogi State Development Plan and bring our people together around a common development vision,” he said.
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According to him, the Council would also help rebuild trust and strengthen consensus across political, ethnic and sectional lines, with membership based on integrity, competence, experience and the ability to contribute meaningfully to the state.
Ododo said Kogi’s diversity should be regarded as a strength, stressing that unity was essential to attracting investment and achieving sustainable development.
“Fairness creates confidence. Confidence creates trust. Trust strengthens peace. Peace attracts investment and supports development. This is why unity is an economic necessity,” he said.
The Governor highlighted major projects and initiatives of his administration, including the construction phase of the Kogi International Airport at Zariagi, the proposed Kogi-Hunan Special Economic Zone in Ajaokuta and the reconstruction of strategic roads across the state.
He said the projects were designed to improve connectivity, attract investment, support manufacturing and mineral processing, create jobs and position Kogi as a productive economic hub.
“Our ambition is to see goods produced in Kogi, processed in Kogi, transported through Kogi and sold to markets within Nigeria and beyond,” Ododo said.
He also disclosed that 728 public schools were undergoing renovation, while more than 200 Primary Healthcare Centres across the 21 Local Government Areas were being upgraded and remodelled. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, regular payment of salaries and pensions, and improved retirees’ benefits.
The Governor paid tribute to successive administrations and individuals who contributed to the creation and development of Kogi State, announcing plans to document the history of the state’s creation and establish a Kogi Hall of Fame to honour major contributors.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support for Kogi, particularly in security, transportation, infrastructure and economic development.
Ododo called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, political leaders, business leaders, professionals, farmers, workers, women, young people and Kogites in the diaspora to take ownership of the state’s next development journey.
“Our founding fathers fought to give us a state. Our responsibility is to make that state prosperous. They sought to bring our people together. Our responsibility is to deepen that unity,” he said.
He concluded by urging Kogites to turn their diversity into strength, resources into opportunities and unity into a force for development.
