Ali Bello: A Dedicated Public Servant, Philanthropist »

Alhaji Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State, is one of the unseen pillars behind the unfurling success story of the Kogi government.

One of the ironies of our system is that the skills and attributes that put someone in office are usually not the skills needed for success once they are there. But there have been exceptions to the norm, one of which is domiciled in the public service of Kogi State where Alhaji Ali Bello holds sway as the Chief of Staff to the Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo.

Hon. Ali Bello has severally been described as a quintessential leader, full of diligence, instincts, and credible actions to propel the state affairs in the right direction and above all, humility. In a world that promotes outward success, humility is one of the most difficult human virtues to achieve and develop.

In truth, time has proven that humble leaders have more influence, attract better people, and earn more confidence, respect and loyalty than those who rely upon ego and power. Therefore, the strategic choice of a man who is garbed with eloquent accomplishments both in public and private, cannot be an accident but a divinely crafted design, especially for a state that is in imperatively urgent desperation to build on the solid foundation inherited from the immediate past administration.

Ali Bello who is equally God-fearing and loving, trustworthy and reliable, captures the essence of truth, displays sincerity, candor and practises what he preaches. He loves people with all his heart, might, mind, soul and striving to help them every step of the way.

His academic and professional achievements, along with all other accruements prepared him to shoulder the enormous responsibilities of the Chief of Staff to Governor Usman Ododo, the current governor of Kogi State. And as the COS, he is automatically the Chief Operating Officer of Kogi State whose duty is to ensure the governor’s vision and programmes are understood, advanced and implemented. He devotes considerable attention to make sure the governor’s staff, administration officials and state employees are focused on the governor’s priorities.

He also has a formal role in the governor’s office plan for emergencies, which includes developing the standard processes for managing crises, putting together an ad hoc team to address the specifics of any given emergency, and rationing the governor’s visibility in a crisis.

He acts as the Chief Policy Adviser to the governor as the latter inevitably relies on him for advice on a wide range of policy issues and also ensures that the governor receives the information, analyses, and views necessary to make a decision. He also may develop the key themes and directions of the governor’s budget or legislative message, leaving details to the budget or policy director. Good to know that he is discharging all these meritoriously as the government of the day in the right direction to fulfill its consolidation mantra.

Despite these huge tasks placed on his shoulders by the state, Ali is a natural philanthropist who always tends to be empathetic toward the struggles of others. He constantly empowers widows and young men and women. This particular distinctive trait stands him apart from the bunch as a truly emerging leader of the people. He is a committed supporter of universal human values and an advocate of support for the less privileged. He has strong belief in empowerment and in the opportunity of prosperity for all. He is involved in many charities and initiatives to help the poor and the sick. He is also dedicated to helping young people for whom he strives to be a model. His main aim in life can be summarised as working hard to be considered by others as a life of giving and a God-sent to many, especially the less privileged.