The Kogi State House of Assembly has passed a vote of confidence on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
In a motion of urgent public importance moved by the lawmaker representing Akpa I, Hon. Lawal Akus, he noted that the present administration under Governor Ododo has performed excellently in health, infrastructure development, improved internally generated revenue, security, amongst others.
Hon. Akus motion reads in part”The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues, recall that our dear Governor, His Excellency Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo was sworn in as the Executive Governor of Kogi State on the 27th January, 2024 after
the successful two (2) terms of our Leader His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya
Adoza Bello.
“The continuity of the New Direction Government led by His Excellency,
hit the ground running immediately with the announcement of his
cabinet and key aides to fast-track the smooth running of the
administration.
” The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues, His Excellency has remained focused on the delivery of his campaign promises to all Kogites. The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues, please permit me to highlight some major milestone of His Excellency, Alh. Ahmed
Usman Ododo the Executive Governor of Kogi State in the last seven (7) months sector by sector in Kogi State.
1. FISCAL DISCIPLINE AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT IN
KOGI STATE.
As a Chartered Accountant, and an Auditor of great repute, His
Excellency, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo has demonstrated fiscal
discipline in the Management of the State Finances as shown in
the last seven (7) months after inheriting a good balance sheet
from his predecessor, His Excellency Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello.
a. REDUCTION IN THE STATE DOMESTIC DEBTS
The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues, the
total domestic debt of Kogi State was reduced from N121 Billion
to N38 Billion which has accorded Kogi State of a FITCH Rates of a “B-” with positive outlook in July, 2024.
“FITCH Ratings is one of the foremost credit rating agencies globally, Established in 1914, FITCH Rating is among the top three credit rating agencies after impartial evaluation of entities ability to fulfill their financial obligations.
“The agency has bestowed high ratings upon Kogi State for its
credit worthiness and financial stability. The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues, these ratings testify to Kogi State prudent Fiscal Management,
Transparency, and Dedication to fostering economic growth.
” The Government of Kogi State led by His Excellency Alh. Ahmed
Usman Ododo has been actively implementing policies and initiatives to attract and support investors. These efforts include
providing incentives, streamlining regulatory processes, and
improving infrastructures.
b. IMPROVEMENT IN KOGI STATE INTERNALLY
GENERATED REVENUES:
The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues, His
Excellency, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo inherited a robust balance sheet from our Leader, His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya
Adoza Bello. I was privileged in my previous career as Business
Development Manager of a Commercial Bank in Lokoja and I’m placed in a good position to speak on the historical facts of our
State Internally Generated Revenues.
” The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues, from a
figure of less than N6 Billion per annum, our Internally Generated Revenues has grown to N23.5 Billion as at 31st December, 2023.
His Excellency, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo is already building on
the legacies of his predecessor, His Excellency Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello.
“The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues, Kogi
State IGR from January – June, 2024 actual is N12.7 Billion, we
are set to break the 2023 records by the end of the year.
2. AGRICULTURE
The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues, Nigeria as a Country is currently facing high inflationary rate on food due to various challenges such as insecurity, climate change and low
output. Kogi State under the leadership of His Excellency Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo is working tirelessly on food security for Kogites and Nigerians in general with massive investment in Agriculture.
” The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues, below are some of the interventions in Agriculture in the last seven (7)
months by his Excellency, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo.
a. Designated and cleared over, 8,000 Hectares of farmland for
the new farming season.
b. N8 Billion has so far been released to farm clusters with
Agricultural inputs.
c. Refurbishment of 200 tractors, saves over N20 Billion in purchasing new ones.
d. The Alape Staple Crops Scheme will soon take off in
collaboration with the African Development Bank.
e. Other stable crops processing zones have been earmarked to
be developed in Ajoakuta and Anyigba and a livestock centre in
Osara. $4.5 Million will be spent on Agriculture transformation
centres across the state with a total sum of $31 Million to be
spent on these centres in the next five (5) years.
f. Establishment of a commodity exchange, export promotion and
marking development agency that will add value to the
Agricultural value chains in the state.
3. HEALTH
The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues, our state witnessed a transformational leadership under His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello in the Health Sector, the Reference Hospital Okene with State of the Art Equipments, Remodeling of the
Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, Ultra-Modern Hospitals in Gegu, Isanlu and Ajoakuta Local Government, upgrading of the Idah Zonal Hospital, Completion of the Teaching Hospital in Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba among others.
” His Excellency, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo is building on the
legacies of his predecessor by investing massively in the overall
wellbeing of Kogites. The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues, below are some of the interventions in the Health Sector in Kogi State in the last seven (7) months.
a. Formal Commencement of Health Insurance Scheme capturing over 30,000 workers in the state with three (3) months advance payment by Kogi State Government with plans to scale up to include pensioners and Local Government workers.
b. The Governor also graciously approved the continuation of Bello
care for vulnerable and PWD’S in the State.
c. Revitalization of over 70 PHC (Primary Health Centres) across
the State in the 1st Phase by Kogi State Government.
d. Distribution of Consumables and Hospital Equipments across all
Public Hospitals in the State.
e. Health train aimed at delivering free Medical Services to citizens
& communities of Kogi State.
f. Complete facelift of the Ministry of Health.
4. SECURITY
The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues, the
primary responsibility of Government is the Protection of Lives and Properties. Security is what stands Kogi State out in the Committee of States due to the Massive Investment and Political will of our Leader, His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello, who is renowned for his great passion and zeal to fighting crimes and criminalities in Kogi State.
“In the last seven (7) months of His Excellency, Alh. Ahmed Usman
Ododo, Kogi State is still adjudged as one of the most peaceful
state in the Country. The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo has continued to provide leadership in the area of security by; a. Engagement of 50 Local hunters and vigilantes in each of the 21 Local Governments in Kogi State with their indebt knowledge
of various communities, they are now providing the much needed intelligence in collaboration with various security agencies. We are already witnessing huge success with this noble initiative of His Excellency.
b. Launch of metropolitan quick response unit to assist in tackling
crimes and criminalities within the State Capital and Environs.
c. Purchase and distribution of 105 operational vehicles and 42
motorcycles for vigilante groups for community policing.
5. INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT
“The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues, recall
earlier in my presentation on one of the success of our Governor,
His Excellency, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo in fiscal discipline by
reducing our domestic debt and improvement in our internally
generated revenues.
“The good rating by FITCH (one of the globally leading rating
agencies) on the positive outlook for Kogi State, contractors are on
various sites because of their confidence in the ability of the state to pay. The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues, Kogi State in the last seven (7) months under the leadership of His Excellency, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo has embarked on massive
infrastructural development across the state.
“Kindly permit me, Mr. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues to
highlight some of them;
a. Erosion Control in Ankpa, Okene and Kabba Bunu Local Governments amounting to over N29.9 Billion. Contractors are
on various sites in the 3 listed Local Government Areas.
b. N10 Billion released for the construction of the road from zone
8 roundabout to GYB junction.
c. Zone 8 roundabout road to crusher which is nearing
completion.
d. Construction of 10km in 8 Local Governments (80KM’s in total)
in 1st Phase. The Local Government are;
1. Yagba East
2. Yagba West
3. Mopa Muro
4. Ijumu
5. Omala
6. Delkina
7. Idah
8. Bassa
6. EDUCATION
The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues, Kogi State House of Assembly enacted a bill in 2023 and was signed into law by His Excellency Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello on free examination
legislation law 2023. Our Leader, Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello started the implementation by paying the West African Examination Council (WAEC) in 2023 for all our student in Government Secondary Schools across the State.
” The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues, Alh.
Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor continued on same path in 2024 by paying the following;
a. Free Jamb for all students.
b. Basic 6, (First School Leaving Certificate)
c. Common Entrance for Primary School.
d. Junior West African Basic Education Certification Examination.
“All the above listed are now free in Kogi State. The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues, the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara is
undergoing massive infrastructural development. The school is one
of the fastest growing Universities today in Nigeria with over 50
approved programs in 2024.
” Total parameter fencing of over 300 hectares for Confluence
University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi State
Polytechnic, Itakpe Campus, Kogi State University, Kabba with
high-tech security gadgets to forestall any form of breach.
” The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues, the
Federal Ministry of Science and Technology through the Energy
Commission of Nigeria recently flagged off Barefoot Renewal
Energy College within the premises of CUSTECH due to the lobby
power of our Governor. This particular project is first of its kind in Africa.
” The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues, Kogi State Government is partnering with development agencies and one of the early results is the investment in our education by World Bank.
“AGILE (Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment). It’s a World Bank Supported Program intended for the advancement of Girl’s Child Education.
” The benefit includes;
a. Renovation of Schools
b. Construction of New Buildings
c. Digital Literacy for Girls
d. Conditional cash transfer for vulnerable families.
“The Rt. Hon. Speaker and my Distinguished Colleagues,
construction of model colleges are at various level of completion as
the government is paying adequate attention to funding them.
PRAYERS:
“That the House pass a vote of confidence on the Executive
Governor of Kogi State, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo on his developmental strides in placing our dear State on a sustainable
path to prosperity”.
Lawmakers in their numbers took turns to eulogize Governor Ododo for his achievement in the last eight months including reforming the Kogi State Civil Service.