Rousing Welcome for Dr. Ogbo as Angwa Ogebe restate support for APC, Ododo »

A prophet is not honoured in his hometown, so goes a popular axiom. But this is not applicable to Dr. Usman Ogbo whenever he visits his country home of Angwa Ogebe in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State. Today being the 16th of September 2023 was no different as the APC chieftain and leader received a rousing reception into Ankpa.

In spite of the heavy downpours all through the morning, drums were rolled out from every nook and cranny of Angwa, especially Angwa Ogebe to welcome their son. The visit, which could be likened to a “triumphant entry,” was Dr. Ogbo’s “Thank-you” visit to appreciate the people for supporting the New Direction government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello and to encourage them to sustain their support for the APC governorship candidate, Alhaji Usman Ododo for consolidation.

Over the years the Angwa community suffered neglect by successive administrations and did not benefit from the dividends of democracy until the Yahaya Bello administration through which Dr Ogbo facilitated block of classrooms, boreholes, employment and other benefits to Angwa.

The crowd of supporters and admirers from all walks of life besieged the Lona Junction entrance to Ankpa town to catch a glimpse. Many of this supporters, who cut across gender, age, religious and political affiliations were clad in branded ankara fabrics or T-shirts with varying inscriptions such as “Angwa Network for Ododo”, “Angwa for APC”, in honour of the APC governorship candidate, Usman Ododo.

Under the canopies mounted at what seems like the center of Angwa Ogebe community were folks, including members of different youths and women groups in a reception said to have been organised by members of the community.

Dr. Usman Ogbo while addressing the crowd said he was overwhelmed by the love showed to him and their support for the New Direction government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

He said their decision to stand by him in his decision to support the governorship candidate of the APC, Alhaji Usman Ododo shows that the people of Angwa Ogebe always pay good with good. He noted that the only Governor in history who brought some level of development to Angwa was late Prince Abubakar Audu who constructed the only road through the community, adding that successive administrations after that neglected the community.

He said the APC government has brought so much goodwill to Angwa through projects, appointments, employments, support for political offices and other dividends of democracy, stressing that the community now feels a huge sense of belonging which should not be mortgaged for those pursing their selfish agenda.

He urged the people to ignore those who don’t mean well for the community and join him in supporting the governorship candidate of the APC as he holds better promise for Angwa community.

The APC stalwart who promised more employment to qualified indigenes of Angwa Ogebe, also pledged to offset WAEC fees for students and to place widows on monthly stipends of twenty thousand naira when Ododo is elected as governor.

On his part the Managing Director Kogi State Rural Water and Sanitation Agency, Hon. Isah Abdullahi who is also an indigene of Angwa Ogebe said the APC government in the state continues to bring development to the people as it has just approved the sinking of another set of 25 boreholes across Angwa communities before the end of the year. He affirmed that with their continued support they will continue to enjoy dividends of democracy in the Area.

Other leaders of APC in Ankpa Local Government Area, such as the former Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Rabiu Isiaka, the Provost of Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa, Dr. Mohammed Kabir, Ankpa Councilor amongst others who addressed the gathering, enjoined the people of Angwa Ogebe to continue to support and pray for the success Dr. Ogbo to enable them continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy beyond the GYB tenure.

Angwa Youth Leader, Comr. Abdulwahab Larry, in his address said the youths of Angwa have benefited significantly through their brother Dr. Ogbo whom the APC government found worthy to serve. He said having suffered neglect by previous administrations, the youths of Angwa Ogebe have resolved to align with the party and administration that has given them a sense of belonging by voting massively for the APC governorship candidate, Alhaji Usman Ododo for consolidation.

Earlier, Dr. Ogbo and his entourage paid a visit to the Chairman of Ankpa Elders Advisory Council, Alhaji Abdul Umar at his residence to intimate him on his visit. The elder statesman who described Dr. Ogbo as a worthy son of Angwa Ogebe, urged him not to be distracted by whatever agenda that some “selfish” individuals were propagating, adding that the entire community is solidly with him.

At the palace of the Onu Ankpa, HRH, Alhaji Abdulmalik Umar, Dr. Ogbo recieved accolades for the numerous jobs and developmental projects that he has influenced to the local government. The traditional ruler praised Governor Yahaya Bello for empowering Ankpa Indigenes who are in turn bringing development to the land. He said the people of Ankpa are solidly behind Governor Yahaya Bello and the APC candidate, Usman Ododo.

Highlights of the event was the presentation of a motorcycle to an ardent supporter of the APC in the community, the commissioning of two separate campaign offices for Ododo, the distribution of bags of rice to indigenes, presentation of award to the Dr. Ogbo for his contributions to the education sector and a special prayer held for Dr. Ogbo and the victory of the APC candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.