*Pledge to establish Primary Healthcare care center in Apata
By Kehinde Erin
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, has praised Olu of Apata, Oba Frederick Balogun, for his outstanding achievements during his decade-long reign.
The Governor’s commendation came during the 10th Anniversary Coronation Ceremony of Oba Balogun, which took place at Apata Arena in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State recently.
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The event was marked by the conferment of chieftaincy titles on nine distinguished personalities, including the governor, renowned businessman Alh. Aliko Dangote, Mr Edwin Devakumar, and Mal. Dauda Momoh.
Additionally, a N500 million skill acquisition and multipurpose center was launched, thanks to generous donations from governments, individuals, and corporate organizations.
Governor Ododo pledged to establish a Primary Healthcare Center in the Apata community, a commitment aimed at enhancing the well-being of residents. This promise was made through the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Folashade Ayoade who represented the Governor.
The Governor also commended the Oba’s leadership, recognising its role in driving significant growth and development within the Apata community and Lokoja Local Government Area.
Oba Balogun expressed heartfelt gratitude to God for the remarkable communal efforts he spearheaded after assuming the throne, which have yielded unprecedented success and transformation in the community.
The royal father said: “It is my firm belief that if we continue in this spirit, we will remain a positive reference, and our community will keep expanding rapidly.
“Upon assuming the throne, I made the security of lives and properties in our community a top priority,” he said.
Oba Fredrick Balogun, the traditional ruler of Apata, reflected on his achievements, including establishing a police post in 2015, constructing a four-classroom block for L.G.E.A. primary school, and an additional two-classroom block.
He commended former Governor Yahaya Bello, for his dedication to enhancing living standards, which fostered peaceful coexistence and development in Apata community.
Oba Balogun praised Governor Ododo, who made history as the first Kogi governor to visit Apata, for his remarkable contributions to the community’s growth adding that the Governor’s administration has made significant strides in enhancing security, notably by employing young men as vigilantes, donating a patrol van, and providing motorcycles to safeguard lives and properties.
“I assure Alhaji Aliko Dangote and all our visitors that we have reserved land for development. You should seize the opportunity to establish businesses here,” he said.
He expressed his gratitude to Dangote Cement PLC for their numerous contributions to the Apata community, including the provision of electricity through the donation of transformers and illumination of the community.
The company also demonstrated its commitment to improving the lives of community members by constructing boreholes to provide clean water, building classrooms to support education, and creating access roads to facilitate transportation. Additionally, Dangote Cement PLC constructed culverts and drainage systems to enhance the community’s infrastructure.
