By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has tasked people of the state to join hands with him and his team to develop Kogi to an enviable level of attainment.
Ododo who made the call in his maiden speech to the people of the state shortly after his inauguration at the Muhammadu Buhari Event Centee on Saturday in Lokoja said his predecessor had laid a solid foundation for the state to grow.
He said that as tasking as it might be to till the land and prepare it for crop production, the immediate past governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello had prepared the land, cultivated it and planted the seed.
“It is now our responsibilities to water the seed into fruition and plant new ones for a bumper harvest. Kogi can only get better. We have we have trained our mentality and we will up our determination to make Kogi State greater.
“A lot needs to be done to keep our communities safe and secure, help our young people find jobs, keep families in businesses, keep pupils in school and our teachers looking forward to the next school day.
“Connect our farmers to market even as we sustain food sufficiency in all parts of the state. Get corporate organization into partnership that work for our communities and help our pensioners to live dignified and fulfilled lives.
“In our determination, our administration will be aggressive, deliberate and strategic in making our business environment attractive”, he said.
The newly inaugurated governor said Kogi had all it takes to fulfill Nigeria’s dream of becoming the industrial hub of the global south adding, “We are one of the most endowed states in Nigeria with abundant mineral resources and many gifts of nature.”
“Kogi is where two of Africa’s biggest rivers, Niger and Benue form a confluence. The huge water bodies can serve in the areas of Transportation, Agriculture And Tourism.
“We have all it takes with the many rivers and dams in the state to produce food all year round.”
Ododo said that the state has to adopt a mantra, “We must produce what we eat, eat what we produce and produce what others eat” aside the very valuable mineral resources our state is blessed with to boost the state economy.
“We have no excuse not to be the food basket of Africa with the robust Agriculture platform already put in place by my predecessor, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello (CON).
“I therefore call on the global investment community to see Kogi as the destination of choice. Our environment is safe for investment, our policies are friendly, we will protect the investors and the interests of our people.
“In the next couple of months we are hopeful that the world will make Kogi their tourism destination of choice.
“As your governor, I will be at the forefront of our investment drive and we shall put in place a Diaspora Investment Platform to make every Kogi around the world our investment ambassador.
“It is economically imperative to build an economy that is vertically driven by the private sector”, he added.
Ododo promised to govern the state with the fear of God Almighty, to be just, fair and equitable in all my dealings with all men and women irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliation.
“It is a big challenge to take over from a goodly successful administration. Well, the GYB himself has prepared us mentally, administratively and politically for the task ahead. I will not fail the people of Kogi State.
“Our government will be transparent, accountable and we shall reward honesty, hard work and courage while promoting tolerance, loyalty and fairness.
“To the opposition political parties in the state, I invite you all to work with us to build an even greater state, based on mutual respect and in the overall interest of our dear people. Fellow Kogites, I promise you all I will not be an ethnic governor.
“I will be the governor of Kogi State. Let it be said by our children’s children that once upon a time when our collective resolve to remain united and indivisible state was tested, we refused to let this journey end.
“That we did not turn back nor did we falter and with eyes fixed on the horizon and by God’s grace upon us, we carry forth that great gift of unity in our diversity to deliver a better future and the best of our days that are ahead the future generation of all Kogites.
“My brothers and sisters, join me. Come join hand with me as we hit the ground running to deliver Kogi of our dream”, he said. (Ends)