The history of the world is full of men who rise to leadership by sheer force of self-confidence, bravely and tenacity leading their race and nation.
Suffices to say, that, Yahaya Bello is cast in the molds of great leaders like Napoleon Bonaparte, Alexander the great and Louis(xv) the sun king of medieval France who were able to lead their nations, chart a new course of action for their States by bringing peace, prosperity, joy and greatness to their countries.
The emergence of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as the Executive Governor of Kogi State on 27th July connotes a new dawn in the political history of the State.The New-Direction government of Bello heralded a new hope for the marginalized and neglected masses.
Bello, a very young man brought about a paradigm shift in the way and manners the minorities are treated in the state .
In a very recent past, the Okun leaders under the leadership of Prof. Eyitayo Lambo visited the immediate past Governor of the State, Alhaji Idris Wada to present their complaint over the apparent marginalization in the employment and appointment of Okun people into political offices coupled with visible lopsided distribution of government projects to the disadvantage of the people of Okunland.
For years, Okun-Yoruba of Kogi State have been hugely marginalized and treated as no partner in the Kogi project. The cry of Okun people for government presence in their territory with particular preference for a University with a view to correcting the noticeable imbalance in the distribution of states resources among the tribal components of the State appeared to have fell in the deaf ears of the past administrations until the emergence of Yahaya Bello.
The agitation for the establishment of a State-owned University no doubt has continue to be a mere illusion until recently when a game changer, an history maker, Yahaya Bello announced his decision to establish a State University in Okunland .
This announcement came as a magic and surprise to all because it came at a time when all hope was almost lost and within a very short time, all the necessary legal and administrative framework was concluded with the National Universities Commission(NUC) announcement of it’s approval and issuance of Licence for University take-off, which is to be known as Kogi State University, Kabba, Kabba, Kogi State. This is better late than never.
The reality of Kogi State University, Kabba is a legacy of Yahaya Bello’s good leadership
Another milestone achievement of Yahaya Bello is that in the entire African history, he became the first and only governor to surpass the 35%,affirmative of Beijin conference in the appointment of women into position of authorities.
Bello remain the first African leader who has achieved the impossible, through open and accountable governance, breaking barriers inhibiting the development, recognition of women as instrument and agents of positive change, inclusive and good government which is the essence of representative liberal democracy
It is worth mentioning that the vice chairmen and Leaders of the legislative council of the 21 local government Areas of Kogi State are women.
Under the leadership of a programmatic leader, the women gender is lifted to an enviable status in the schemes of things in Kogi state. This is another legacy of Yahaya Bello’s good leadership
One great aspect of this great Nigerian is his quest to involve the youth in the governance of the state. He found with pains that the past leaders ate deeply into the future of the youth and this has affected their psyche and brought timidity and lack of growth to the youths in Kogi state.
The volume of frustrations occasioned by lack of jobs and restlessness of the youth caused by their inability to fend for themselves have caused them to be dejected and feel rejected.
To this end, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State took the bull by the horns and decided to give the youths of Kogi State a sense of belonging, placing them in their right path. As it stands today, Kogi youths have finally seen light at the end of the tunnel as a result of the spiritedness of Yahaya Bello. Herein lies his greatest achievement and accomplishment, the legacy of Yahaya Bello’s good leadership.
The foregoing and many more suggest good leadership of His Excellency, the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello , which are outstanding legacies that are lacking in our polity.
Today in Kogi State under the leadership of Yahaya Bello New Direction Government, his outstanding performance and sense of equity and fairness has astounded even his most outspoken critics and a testimony to his legacies of good leadership.
Toba Abraham is a publisher of Confluencelink Publications. 08133543062