Comrade Abdul's Positive Path for Lokoja LGA on 100 Days in Office »

With well documented and acknowledged contributions to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and servitude to the youth, students and community demographics, Comrade Abdullahi Adamu’s choice as the Caretaker Chairman did not come as a surprise to many. His appointment by the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello was greeted with applause owing to his contributions, dedication and commitment party and community development. Little wonder even after the expiration of the former administration, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and those in the current system have continued to praise the choice of the current transition chairman for the council.

Understanding there was no time to soak up any rays and smell new ambience of the new office, Comrade Abdullahi Adamu hit the ground running immediately after his inauguration on the 9th of January, 2024. The caretaker chairman, being a member of the executive council of the Local Government in time past and with the knowledge of some of the peculiar challenges therein, hit the ground running by convening a Management Staff on 11th of January and then General Staff Meeting where he restated his commitment to improving the welfare of workers and improving their working environment.

Prior to his appointment, the staff of Lokoja Local Government Secretariat had endured a less inspiring workplace because of the practice of improvising as there was lack of electricity supply at the secretariat, a phenomenon that contributed to the low moral and little or no motivation. With less than 2 weeks in office, Comrade Abdullahi had fixed the local government transformer, bringing a huge sigh of relief and ending an eight months blackout. That singular gesture earned him accolades from among all caders of staff in the council.

In the area of security, the chairman inherited a system that threatened to return Lokoja to the old days of insecurity with criminality raring their ugly heads. From petty criminals to kidnappers, armed robbery and others, which he took swift action to address. To do this, the chairman took the bull by the horn by mobilizing and leading a two weeks 60-man joint security operations in Felele and Sarkin Noma communities which led to several arrests to effectively collaborating with the traditional rulers, security agencies, hunters and vigilante to handle the kidnapping and illegal mining that resurfaced in some parts of Kakanda and Oworoland. Till this day, many have continued to express awe at the speed and bravery with which the chairman had nipped the situation in the bud by working round the clock to bring the security threats in those areas to a halt.

Comrade Adamu’s prompt and proactive steps had also brokered peace and prevented communal clashes between Fulani and indigenous people of Kupa, Atsawa and Agatu in Idoji Owara communities, actions that have further imprinted his leadership qualities in no uncertain manner.

Comrade Abdullahi Adamu has committed to rejuvenating and providing support to several community vigilantee and hunter groups across the local government, to ensure they continue to support the security agencies in their operations and a collaboration to end all forms of threats to the citizens of Lokoja Local Government Area.

In a bid to improve the fortunes of the Local Government and improve it’s Internally Generated Revenue, the caretaker chairman has in the last one month, put in place a think-tank working assiduously to see to the actualization of the Ojo Oba market in Felele via a Public Private Partnership arrangement. The market when completed would boost the local government’s economic activities by proving a place of convergence for the sales and purchasing of goods and services which would further open up that part of the town. The socioeconomic gains to both government and the people can only be imagined as it would further create more employment opportunities for more people.

Lokoja Local Government under Comrade Abdullahi Adamu has also, in the last three months, visited some multinational companies like the Dangote Plant PLC, Unicane Industries Limited FZE to explore areas of synergies in providing security, job creation, improved local government revenues and upscaling Corporate Social Responsibility to host communities. Such synergy is no doubt capable of improving the lives of rural dwellers where such establishments are sited for the good of the Local Government.

The Caretaker Chairman has in many fora expressed his appreciation to His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for his exemplary leadership and all the support both in the provision of security vehicles and logistics and has vowed to compliment the State government’s effort by providing additional patrol vehicles for security outfits in the Lokoja local government.

With the support and active participation of all stakeholders, political leaders, community & religious leaders and traditional institutions, Lokoja Local Government Area is once again on the right path, the path of progressive, peace and prosperity.

Iliyasu Zakari
Special Adviser on Media to the Caretaker Transition Committee Chairman
Lokoja Local Government Area