Ododo Hails Tinubu’s Leadership as Kogi Youths Back President's Second Term »

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has showered glowing praise on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing his leadership as bold, visionary and unprecedented in youth empowerment, as Kogi youths overwhelmingly endorsed the President for a second term in office.

Speaking at a massive youth rally held in Lokoja to mark two years of his administration, Governor Ododo said the show of support by Kogi youths for President Tinubu was a clear reflection of confidence in the President’s performance and the Renewed Hope agenda of the Federal Government.

The rally, which attracted party leaders, youth groups, students, persons living with disabilities and other stakeholders from across the state, climaxed with the donation of ₦100 million by Kogi youths to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Governor Ododo described the endorsement as “informed and courageous,” noting that it was anchored on tangible achievements rather than political sentiment.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated uncommon courage in taking far-reaching economic decisions that are already yielding positive results. His administration has created pathways for youth inclusion, skills development, economic participation and national growth,” the Governor said.

He stressed that no administration in Nigeria’s history has prioritised youth empowerment like that of President Tinubu, citing federal interventions in agriculture, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, social investment and governance participation.

Governor Ododo also commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her humanitarian efforts through the Renewed Hope Initiative, which he said have significantly impacted women, youths and vulnerable groups in Kogi State.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development and Chairman of the Central Organising Committee, Hon. Aridaojo Monday Anyebe, said the rally was a bold statement of youth confidence in both the Ododo-led administration and President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

He explained that Governor Ododo has deliberately placed youths at the centre of governance through strategic appointments, empowerment programmes, skills acquisition initiatives and sustained engagement with youth and student bodies across the state.

According to him, over 200 youths have been trained in specialised skills such as CNG conversion, welding and fabrication, electrical engineering, plumbing and systems maintenance. He also highlighted the hosting of the maiden Kogi Youth Summit, town hall meetings across the 21 local government areas, and the distribution of empowerment tools to young people.

Hon. Anyebe added that sports development has been revitalised under the Ododo administration as a vehicle for unity, talent discovery and economic opportunity, with Kogi athletes regaining visibility at regional and national competitions.

He called on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to remain united and focused, stressing that collective effort was required to ensure the re-election of President Tinubu and the consolidation of gains recorded under Governor Ododo.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the APC National Youth Leader, Hon. Dayo Israel; Kogi APC Youth Leader, Hon. Mohammed U. Mohammed; Chairman of Persons Living with Disabilities; and the Kogi State APC Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Bello. They all praised the youths for their organisation, loyalty and steadfast commitment to the party.

The high point of the rally was the formal presentation of a ₦100 million donation by Kogi youths in support of President Tinubu’s re-election, a gesture speakers described as a powerful vote of confidence in his leadership and vision for Nigeria.

The event concluded with chants and solidarity songs as youths pledged sustained support for the APC and the Renewed Hope agenda at both state and national levels.