By Joan Jones
Forum of Ex-Political Office Holders in the 21 Local Government Areas of Kogi has applauded the rare leadership style of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, describing him as a true servant leader.
In the group made up two sets between 2004 and 2011, said the Governor has continued to govern in a manner that has made him earn the harm warm support of the people of the state irrespective of tribe, religion or creed.
The group in a statement signed by over 80 representatives of both sets, said, “Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has been in public service for sometime and living his private life without much publicity. When the primaries for APC governorship candidates began, Kogites were expecting names like former Deputy Governor, former Chief of Staff and former Commissioners to emerge as our Governor.
“However at the end of the exercise, the name Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo emerged as the victorious candidate.
“Majority of Kogites were surprised because the name had never rang bells in government circles but little did we know that Almighty God has decided to rewrite the history of Kogi State through this very simple, very active, very humble, very kind, very firm and highly understanding gentleman in the person of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Unman Ododo.
“That is why shortly after he was sworn in as the Governor, the narratives of Kogi State started changing for the better. He started by tackling the most nagging issue of the civil servants which had hitherto given the state a very bad image nationally and internationally.
“He started prompt payment of salaries of all civil servants in both the state and local governments as well as payment of pensions and gratuities to retirees. “Governor Ahmed Unman Ododo was the second Governor in Nigeria to approve the implementation of new minimum wage and also increased it to N72, 500. per month. He commenced the implementation immediately and today, civil servants in the state are very grateful to the Governor for turning their lives around for the better.
“Having settled the civil servants, the Governor now faced education and other sectors of the economy. When he noticed the hardship many parents face in educating their children, he promptly approved the payment of WAEC fees in all public schools in the state and tackled the problems in the higher education sector too.
“Recently, he approved N8 billion for infrastructural development at Kogi State University, Kaaba and not leaving out the Confluence University, where he has modernised and approved the Specialist Hospital Okene as the Teaching Hospital.
“Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had earlier approved roads construction in many towns across the state and the projects are all ongoing. The State Capital, Lokoja has also won the attention of the Governor and his development strides in Lokoja is turning Lokoja into a modern city and one of the cleanest state capitals in Nigeria.
“One area the Governor has invested so much is the security of the state and that is why the general insecurity in the state is improving by the day.”
While urging that Governor to consider settling outstanding entitlements of their members, the group recalled that, “it’s pertinent to note that, during the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello, both sets were paid part of their outstandings entitlements.
“We hereby plead that Your Excellency, look into our case and approve payment of our outstandings, which will leave indelible marks in our minds.”
The group further pledged its unalloyed, sincere and profound loyalty to the administration of Governor Ododo.
