Kogi Youths Celebrate Gov Ododo’s Two Years, Endorse Tinubu's Reelection »

Youths across Kogi State on Sunday converged in large numbers for a rally to mark two years of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration, declaring their support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ododo.

The rally, tagged a youths’ endorsement gathering, brought together party leaders, youth groups, students, persons living with disabilities and other stakeholders from across the state. It culminated in the donation of ₦100 million by the youths to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Speaking earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development and Chairman of the Central Organising Committee, Hon. Aridaojo Monday Anyebe, described the event as a clear statement of youth confidence in the Ododo administration and the Renewed Hope agenda of the Federal Government.

According to him, Governor Ododo has placed youths at the centre of governance through deliberate policies, including youth appointments, skills acquisition programmes, empowerment initiatives, regular engagements and sustained support for youth and student bodies across the state.

He listed key interventions to include the training of over 200 youths in areas such as CNG conversion, welding and fabrication, electrical engineering, plumbing and systems maintenance; the hosting of the first Kogi Youth Summit; town hall meetings across the 21 local government areas; and the distribution of empowerment tools to young people.

Hon. Anyebe also noted that sports development has been repositioned as a tool for unity, talent discovery and economic opportunity, stressing that Kogi athletes are once again gaining prominence at regional and national levels.

He called for unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging party members to set aside personal differences and work collectively for the re-election of President Tinubu and the continued success of Governor Ododo.

In his address, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo described the youths’ endorsement of President Tinubu as “informed and courageous,” noting that it was based on performance and leadership rather than sentiment.

The Governor commended President Tinubu for taking bold economic decisions, which he said were already yielding positive results, including improvements in economic stability and social interventions targeted at youths and vulnerable groups.

“No administration has empowered Nigerian youths like that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Ododo said, citing initiatives in agriculture, skills development, economic inclusion and youth participation in governance.

Governor Ododo also praised the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her humanitarian interventions through the Renewed Hope Initiative, which he said had positively impacted thousands of families in Kogi State, particularly women and the less privileged.

He accepted the endorsement of Kogi youths with humility, while urging them to remain united, focused and committed to peaceful political engagement ahead of future elections.

In his goodwill message, APC National Youth Leader, Hon. Dayo Israel, said the energy and unity displayed by Kogi youths reflected the future of Nigeria. “Your support for President Tinubu and Governor Ododo shows that young people are ready to defend good governance with action, not just words.”

On his part, the Kogi Youth APC Leader, Hon. Mohammed U. Mohammed, said the rally confirms that Kogi youths are solidly behind the APC. He said the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has given youths the platform to contribute to national development, adding that youths remain committed to mobilising, organising, and sustaining this momentum until victory is achieved.

Kogi State APC Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Bello, noted that the massive turnout of youths at the event is a clear vote of confidence in the party’s leadership. He added that together, they will consolidate the party’s achievements and secure victory in the coming elections.

The event ended with chants and solidarity songs by the youths, pledging continued support for the APC at both state and national levels.