Ododo Visits Kupa, Pledges Road, Development Support »

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has visited Kupa in Lokoja Local Government Area to commiserate with residents and the Maiyaki of Kupa Land, His Royal Highness Pharmacist Kabir Isa Dauda III, over a recent crisis that claimed lives and disrupted peace in the community.

Ododo, who was accompanied by government officials, security chiefs and political stakeholders, described the incident as unfortunate and painful, while urging residents to remain united and committed to peaceful coexistence.

The crisis, which occurred a few weeks ago, reportedly started as a disagreement between two individuals before escalating into violence that affected Guchidan, Mikugi and Abugi communities.

During the visit, the governor apologised for the delay in visiting Kupa, saying the timing should not be interpreted as a lack of concern for the people.

He said he visited personally to assess the situation and reassure the community that Kupa remained an important part of Kogi State.

Ododo said the visit also enabled him to assess the security situation, healthcare needs, educational facilities, agricultural activities and road infrastructure in the area.

He particularly expressed concern over the condition of the roads linking Kupa to other parts of the state, noting that the difficult journey from Lokoja underscored the seriousness of the challenge facing residents.

According to the governor, roads from Jamata through Kakanda, Abugi and Egon were already receiving attention, but his experience during the visit had strengthened his resolve to prioritise the road leading to Kupa.

He pledged to personally pursue intervention on the road, expressing the hope that his next visit to the community would take significantly less time.

The governor also commended the traditional leadership of Kupa for maintaining peace and unity among the different ethnic groups in the area.

He urged residents to support the traditional institution and sustain peaceful coexistence, describing Kupa as “a home of all and a land for all.”

Earlier, the Maiyaki of Kupa Land, HRH Pharmacist Kabir Isa Dauda III, thanked the governor for visiting the community, saying the gesture demonstrated the state government’s concern for the people.

The traditional ruler appealed for improved security, healthcare services, agricultural support, additional classrooms and teachers, as well as rehabilitation of the Jamata–Kakanda–Abugi–Egon road.

He stressed that the road was particularly important because Kupa is predominantly an agrarian community, adding that its rehabilitation would facilitate the movement of farmers and their produce to markets, reduce transportation difficulties and promote economic development.

The traditional ruler also commended the recent resolution of the Kogi State House of Assembly on the crisis and thanked the Speaker and members for standing with the community during the difficult period.

He expressed confidence that continued government intervention would help the community recover and return fully to its farming, educational and economic activities.

Also speaking, the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, commended Governor Ododo for visiting Kupa at a difficult moment and for showing commitment to addressing the community’s developmental challenges.

The Speaker reiterated the need for urgent construction of the road leading to Kupa, describing it as the major route used by the predominantly farming community to transport agricultural produce to markets.

He, however, expressed confidence that the governor would fulfil his commitment to constructing the road.