A PUBLIC STATEMENT BY DR MATHEW KEYI , ECONOMICS DEPT,.FEDERAL UNIVERSITY, LOKOJA ( FORMER CHAIRMAN, OGORIMAGONGO LGA)
INTRODUCTION
The creation of Kogi State on August 27, 1991 was an age- long fulfilment of the dream of the people of the old Kabba Province to have a State that would bring socio-economic development to the people after years of neglect and deprivation.
To a limited extent , the creation of Kogi State as a statutory entity in the Nigerian federation has brought profound changes in the development quest of the people. In the last 32 years, the State has had the opportunity to be governed by both military and civilian administrators. Each of them had tried to contribute their quota to the development of the State given different prevailing circumstances. Their cumulative efforts account for the current state of affairs in the Confluence State.
At 32, Kogi State is still a work in progress. The dreams of the agitators and founders of the state are yet to be realised. Compared to its contemporaries created on the same day, kogi State is burdened by a myriad of basic social and economic challenges. On the political pedestal, the State is yet to develop an acceptable template for an equitable power rotation. This has created and fuelled ethnic tension, distrust and disharmony amongst the three major ethnic groups in the State. The State has therefore been deprived of basic pre-condition needed for peace and progress.
WAY FORWARD
1. The next government should revisit the issues that were fundamental in the quest for the creation of kogi State.
2. More attention should be placed on the implementation of people-centred programmes to fight poverty and for sustainable development.
3.The State should develop a template backed by constitutional statute for power rotation in the spirit of equity and fairness.
4.Present and future governments of kogi state should remain guided by constitutionalism and respect for public institutions. Recourse to self-help and appropriating the instruments of governance for self-agrandisement is inimical to the tenants of democracy.
Dr. Mathew Keyi
August 27, 2023