Ex-Governor Bello’s achievements and referendum waiting to happen in Kogi central
By Felix Udebu
No doubt Governor Yahaya Bello came, saw and conquered as the fourth executive governor of Kogi state. He came to power on the 27th of January , 2016 by divine intervention.
However Governor Yahaya Bello’s eight years of governance in Kogi State had recorded tremendous achievements across the state particularly in the central senatorial district where he originated from.
Security :
Kogi Central being the gateway between the north, south and western parts of the country was prone to all forms of criminal activities.
Alas, for many years, statistics shown that the district was one of the zone well known for its high rate of insecurity, but in 2016 when Governor Bello took over the mantle of leadership as the Chief Executive of the State, he promised to end the incessant security problems in the district and indeed the entire state to enable his kinsmen and other kogites sleep with their two eyes closed and as well engaged in their legitimate businesses.
The governor who hit the ground running considering the enormous challenges he inherited from previous administrations. Without delay he immediately established Nigeria Army Forward Operations base at Achoze in Okene local government area which has significantly reduced crime to the barest minimum as Kogi Central Senatorial District which hitherto used to be the headquarters of kidnapping and armed robbery in the state is now free and peaceful.
This effort was also in addition to the establishment of Kogi State Vigilante Service and the engagement of hunters to safe-guard the people of Central Senatorial District.
Education.
Education is the bedrock of societal development, and it is believed that no amount of money expended by a country or state in educating it’s people that can be considered too much considering the importance and significance of the sector.
It is in realization of this, that Governor Yahaya Bello set his priority right from the very beginning as to what he wanted to achieve for the people of Kogi Central. In eight years of his administration, the district has witness significant achievements in education sector.
Aside numerous renovation and construction of classrooms in both primary and secondary schools across Kogi Central, and the revitalization of College of Nursing Obangede, former Governor Yahaya Bello established a world class Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) Osara a tertiary institution many political analysts still described as miracle university.
In the past students from the district had to traveled far to seek admission and in most case they end up studying courses that are not their choices, but today the university has commenced graduating students who are found in character and learning.
Health.
In the area of health, the former Governor believe that health is wealth and in supporting the statement he constructed a 250-bed Reference Hospital in Okene which has now been turned into CUSTECH University Teaching Hospital.
Aside this remarkable achievement in the health sector in Kogi central, former Governor Yahaya Bello embarked and completed renovation of primary healthcare centres in all the political wards that formed Kogi Central Senatorial District.
These he did to take quality healthcare to the door steps of his people.
Road Construction.
It is also worthy to mention here that before former Governor Bello took over as the fourth Executive Governor of Kogi State, township roads across Central Senatorial District were in dilapidated condition demanding for attention.
Irked by this ugly situation, Bello embarked on construction of Agasa-Ukpogoro Road, Ogaminana/Ebogogo/ Total Road, Obehira/Ihma road. All these and completed all these roads before leaving office. Today this roads have created easy movement from one local government to another within the district.
No wonder, these avalanches of achievements former Governor Yahaya Bello recorded for his people has motivated them to call him once again to represent the district at the red chamber come 2027 to senatorial election.
The agitation for him to accept the mandate became so tensed that the Paramount ruler of Ebiraland has to prevailed on him to accept the offer so that he the former governor can used his wealth of experience to represent the district at the National Assembly.
Speaking on this development Mallam Yusuf Ondeku Ibrahim from Obeiba, Ihima in Okehi local government said “what former Governor Yahaya Bello did for his people in Kogi Central it is only Almighty God that can pay him back.
“We are all aware that before Bello came on board no body in any part of the district can organize wedding, naming ceremony and other occasions without taking permission from the so called ‘Area Boy’ otherwise they will come there and disrupted the occasion.
“Former Governor Bello came and end such ugly incident that had really tarnished our image as people. Secondly, he fought insecurity to the barest minimum within his eight years in office. Kidnapping then became order of the day to an extent that the hoodlums move from house to house in a broad day light to pick their victims. We can not thank Yahaya Bello enough for wiping out bad elements in the district.
“It is now a clarion call for him to contest the senatorial seat of Kogi central and by God grace we will support him with all our myth to once again be in a position to help the district” he said.
Also speaking, a human right activist and community leader from Okene local government Chief Haruna Ahmed Osike, said Governor Bello deserved another appointment to enable him continue his good work for the people of Kogi Central.
“Former Governor Yahaya Bello has liberated us from so many things that before work against the progress of this district. The road from Itakpe junction through Eika down to Kuroko-Okene was awarded to contractors on several occasion by previous administration but nothing was done until Governor Bello came and completed the road.
“The peace we are enjoying today across the district is the handiwork of the former governor. He tried his best to ensure that Central Senatorial District developed. Therefore it is not out of place if we call on him to represent us at the senate comes 2027”.
Hon. Abdulhamid Omeiza Aminu, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo on Social Investment Programmes while lending his voice , said the former governor Yahaya Bello grew up in the central senatorial district and knows the challenges facing the district, saying as a governor for eight years he was able to solve many of the challenges.
He said former governor Bello understood the security situation of the district and through his effort the district known for kidnapping and armed robbery is today free of such security challenges.
He added that Bello’s effort in education have endear him in the heart of his people as the establishment of two universities in both central and western districts have brought quality education to the door steps of the people.
He described former governor Bello as a nationalist that deserved to represent Kogi central senatorial district to use his contacts to bring more dividend of democracy to the people.
Speaking further he assured that the former governor will win the election landslide as the ruling party APC he belong control the majority of votes in Kogi Central.
In the opinion of a retired head teacher Mrs Omeiza Anataku, Yahaya Bello’s achievements particularly in the central senatorial district has endeared him into the heart of many people. The clarion call on him to represent the district at the senate is never a surprise.
According to her, Bello’s wealth of experience will enable him to attract many benefits to the district.
“I am optimistic that former Governor Yahaya Bello will triumph at the poll if he eventually agreed to contest the election. He will be a worthy representative because he has demonstrated that as governor” she said.
By Felix udebu
Publisher Thereflection Newspaper
Lokoja,Kogi State
08065335338
0705 477 7434
