By Ojotule Romanus
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has been honoured with an Award of Excellence as the “Ambassador of Safety and Best Safety Governor in Nigeria” by the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON).
The honour is in recognition of his administration’s commitment and contributions to safety standards, occupational health and responsible governance within his first two years in office.
The award, was presented to Governor Ododo in Lokoja during activities marking his second anniversary in office celebrations and endorsed by ISPON’s Governing Board.
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Speaking during the presentation of the award, the National President of ISPON, Chief Udezi Ste, said the Institute deliberately chose Kogi State to identify with as a result of what he described as Governor Ododo’s “credible, quality and people-focused leadership.
He acknowledged that Governor Ododo’s performance in the last two years , has defied early doubts surrounding his emergence by delivering stability, growth and responsible governance.
According to ISPON, Governor Ododo’s leadership has placed Kogi State on the right pedestal of development, particularly in promoting safety consciousness across government operations, industries and the workforce.
The Institute, established by law to regulate and standardise safety practice in Nigeria, said its endorsement was a clear affirmation of the governor’s efforts to reduce occupational hazards and entrench global best practices in safety management.
The ISPON president also announced the donation of a fully completed and furnished Secretariat to Kogi State, alongside a temporary office ready for operations.
The initiative, he explained, is designed to support the Ododo administration in consolidating safety standards and institutionalising compliance across public and private sectors.
Governor Ododo, who received the Ambassadorial Gold Medal Lapel Award, an honour recognised by international and diplomatic organisations including the United Nations was commended for creating an enabling environment for safety regulation and enforcement in the state.
ISPON further disclosed that its leadership would return to Kogi State by the end of February 2026 to officially open the Institute’s temporary office, during which selected members of the State Executive Council and other stakeholders who have contributed to safety advancement would also be honoured.
The Institute also praised Governor Ododo’s collaborative relationship with the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, Hon. David Zakaria, describing it as critical to strengthening safety enforcement nationwide.
Chief Udezi appealed to the Governor to direct all ministries, departments and agencies, as well as companies and industries operating in Kogi State, to comply fully with the ISPON Act of 2014, pending the domestication of the law by the State Government.
In his response, Governor Ododo thanked ISPON for proper evaluation and acknowledgement of his performance in the year under review.
He however attributed his success to the enabling environment created by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who he said, is leading from the front.
The award The Graphic Newspaper gathered, adds to a growing list of recognitions earned by Governor Ododo as his administration continues to position Kogi State as a model of responsible governance, institutional reform and people-centred development, two years into his tenure.
