Kogi'll Witness More Development Under Ododo When Elected

…Urges Citizens to Shun Ethnic Bias

The Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman has called on the people of the state to continue to support the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the November 11 gubernatorial election, Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman as he is convinced the candidate of the ruling party would consolidate on the gains the state has recorded under the present administration of His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello.

Dr. Usman stated this on Wednesday in an interview with FMT in his office in Lokoja.

Dr. Usman used the occasion to speak on many important burning issues on governance in the state, and used several instances to buttress why he is convinced on his points.

He said the state cannot afford to waste another tenure where a new occupant of Kogi State Government House would have to use his first tenure to ‘learn on the job’ while important governance matters suffer neglect, stressing that Alhaji Ododo has been part of government since over seven years of the current government, hence he would not have to learn but consolidate on achievements across sectors.

He said Governor Yahaya Bello has recorded tremendous developmental strides in education, security, healthcare, employment opportunities, infrastructural provision and others, adding that the Alhaji Ododo would build on it.

He mentioned the construction of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, and the Kogi State University, Kabba as major achievements, noting that the education policy put in place by the administration has ensured a predictable academic calendar and resulted in the state having more graduates undergoing the mandatory National Youths Service corps (NYSC) scheme during orientation since the administration came on board as the higher institutions record more number in graduate statistics in Nigeria.

To him, the combination of Ododo Ahmed Usman and Joel Oyibo Salifu would further strengthen the basic education sector as the Deputy Governorship candidate, being a classroom teacher, understands the plight of his colleagues at that level and would make case for them in the state executive council.

Dr. Usman also mentioned the construction of the Reference Hospital, Okene, the standard Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital, Anyigba, expansion of the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, building of new ones in Ajaokuta, Gegu and others as evidence of legacies that Alhaji Ododo would build on when elected.

He also referenced the economic vision of Governor Bello which guided his decision not to tow the path others did during the COVID-19 saga which made the entire world to shut down and introduced wearing of face masks, stating that Governor Bello has been justified and that the World Health Organisation owes the Governor a medal and an award on his position.

Dr. Usman further mentioned the tremendous achievements in security which has made Kogi State to remain strong despite being sandwiched in the country’s geography by many states suffering from one form of security challenges or the other.

He used the example of Lagos State where President Bola Tinubu had to use the first four years of his administration as Governor to study governance and built on it in his second and his policy of ensuring someone within his circles succeeded him to consolidate on his legacies, noting that similar approach was necessary to ensure sustained development in Kogi State.

He distanced himself from the promotion of any parochial and religious sentiments cum agenda that are not issue based, and called on political actors to jettison any narrow-minded issue that seeks to divide rather than unite the state.

Dr. Usman assured the people of the state that the APC would win the November 11 gubernatorial election and that Alhaji Usman Ododo would ensure tremendous development across the state.