Kogi Commissioners’ Forum Chairman Rallies Colleagues for Grassroots Mobilisation, Tinubu -Ododo Development Agenda

…Says Commissioners are agents of development, growth and political cohesion

…Forum applauds Gov. Ododo’s infrastructural drive, Bassa, Bunu and Ibaji road interventions

…Reaffirms commitment to Tinubu, Ododo re-election in 2027

…15,000 residents to receive ₦100,000 livelihood grants as thousands benefit from cash transfers, public works and agricultural support

The Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning and Chairman of the Kogi State Commissioners’ Forum, Asiwaju Asiru Idris, FCA, has charged Commissioners and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the state to strengthen party unity, work closely with established political structures and take the message of government and its development programmes directly to the grassroots.

Asiwaju Idris gave the charge while presiding over a meeting of Commissioners in the state, where far-reaching decisions were taken on good governance, political cohesion, grassroots development and the collective responsibility of political office holders to strengthen the party and deepen citizens’ understanding of government policies and programmes.

The Finance Commissioner, while conveying the message and direction of the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA, to his colleagues, stressed that Commissioners must see themselves not merely as heads of Ministries and political leaders in their respective Local Government Areas, but as agents of development, growth and political advancement, with responsibilities to the government, the party and the people.

«“As Commissioners, we are agents of development and agents of growth. We must take the message of government to the grassroots, work with our party structures and ensure that our people understand and benefit from the programmes and policies of government.”»

He urged his colleagues to return to their respective Local Government Areas and strengthen engagement with party leaders, ward executives, community leaders, youths, women, farmers and other stakeholders, stressing that effective political leadership must be rooted in constant engagement with the people.

Asiwaju Idris informed his colleagues that the Ododo administration is set to roll out a major welfare and economic empowerment intervention targeting poor and vulnerable citizens, communities and farmers across Kogi State, and charged the Commissioners to take the message of the programme to the grassroots and ensure that the people are adequately informed of the opportunities available to them.

Among the major interventions highlighted is a Livelihood Support Grant for 15,000 beneficiaries, with each beneficiary expected to receive ₦100,000, representing a direct injection of ₦1.5 billion into household livelihoods and small-scale economic activities across the state.

Another 5,000 poor and vulnerable persons are expected to benefit from a Cash Transfer programme, receiving ₦20,000 monthly for one year. This amounts to ₦240,000 per beneficiary over the 12-month period and an aggregate direct intervention of ₦1.2 billion.

Similarly, 3,400 beneficiaries will participate in the Labour-Intensive Public Works programme, under which each participant will receive ₦20,000 monthly for one year, amounting to another ₦816 million in direct support while providing opportunities for productive community-based engagement.

The intervention will also extend to community infrastructure, with 350 communities across Kogi State expected to benefit from development projects focusing on critical areas including health, water and education, valued at about ₦2 billion.

Agriculture will equally receive significant attention, as 7,350 farmers are expected to benefit from agricultural inputs and small farm assets valued at about ₦1.9 billion, aimed at improving productivity, strengthening food security and enhancing the livelihoods of farming households.

In addition, over 300,000 people are expected to be captured in the State Social Register, strengthening the government’s database of poor and vulnerable households and improving the targeting, transparency and effectiveness of present and future social intervention programmes.

The Chairman charged his colleagues to ensure that these programmes are effectively communicated and taken closer to the people, stressing that citizens must be adequately informed about government interventions designed to improve their livelihoods.

The Commissioners also used the meeting to express their profound appreciation to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for the massive infrastructural development being undertaken across Kogi State, describing the spread of projects across the state as evidence of the administration’s commitment to inclusive and balanced development.

The Forum particularly applauded the Governor’s attention to strategic road infrastructure, including the Bassa, Bunu and Ibaji road interventions, noting that improved connectivity in these areas would open up communities, facilitate the movement of people and agricultural produce, stimulate local commerce and improve access to social and economic opportunities.

“We sincerely appreciate His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA, for the infrastructural development across Kogi State and particularly his commitment to the Bassa, Bunu and Ibaji roads. These are strategic interventions that will open up our communities, strengthen economic activities and demonstrate that no part of Kogi State should be left behind in our development journey.”»

The Commissioners noted that the administration’s investment in roads and other critical infrastructure, alongside interventions in education, healthcare, agriculture, security and social protection, provides political office holders with tangible evidence of government performance to take to the people.

The Forum consequently reaffirmed its unflinching support for the Governor and his development agenda, pledging to work collectively with the leadership and structures of the APC to consolidate the gains of the administration.

On the national front, the Commissioners also reaffirmed their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, noting that the economic and fiscal reforms of his administration have strengthened revenues accruing to the federal, state and local governments, thereby expanding the fiscal capacity available for infrastructure, social interventions and other development programmes.

Asiwaju Idris urged political office holders to become effective ambassadors of these reforms by explaining their benefits and demonstrating to citizens how increased public resources are being translated into tangible development.

He stressed that Commissioners have a responsibility to connect public policy with the everyday experiences of the people by taking information on government projects, welfare programmes, empowerment initiatives and other interventions directly to communities.

On the political front, the Chairman urged Commissioners and other political leaders to maintain close engagement with party stakeholders at the local government, ward and polling-unit levels, emphasising that unity and respect for established party structures remain critical to electoral success.

The meeting consequently resolved to intensify grassroots engagement and mobilisation, working with party leaders, local government and ward structures, community leaders, traditional institutions, youths, women, farmers and other stakeholders towards strengthening the APC across Kogi State.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Commissioners reaffirmed their collective commitment to mobilising Kogi State for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, while equally declaring their firm support for the re-election of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA, in 2027.

The Forum maintained that sustaining the present political leadership would provide the opportunity to consolidate ongoing reforms, complete critical infrastructure projects, deepen social interventions and expand the developmental gains being recorded across the state.

«“Our commitment is both developmental and political. We will continue to support His Excellency to deliver good governance, and we will take the evidence of his performance to our people. As a Forum, we are committed to working with our party and all stakeholders towards the re-election of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in 2027 and the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.”»

The Commissioners equally resolved to strengthen cooperation ahead of forthcoming local government political activities and ensure that their engagements remain anchored on unity, consultation, inclusion, development and effective service delivery.

Asiwaju Idris maintained that the strongest political message any government can take to the electorate is the evidence of programmes and projects that directly improve people’s lives.

“Our responsibility is to take development to our people and take the message of government to every Local Government Area, ward, community and polling unit. When our people see the roads, projects, empowerment, social interventions and opportunities being created for them, they will understand that good governance is ultimately about improving lives.”»

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment by the Commissioners to remain united as a team, deepen their grassroots presence, support the Governor’s development programmes and work harmoniously with party structures towards consolidating the APC’s strength across Kogi State.

The Forum further pledged to continue serving as a bridge between the government, the party and the people, ensuring that the dividends of democracy are not only delivered but effectively communicated and felt at the grassroots.

— MAAI Media Team

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