TRANSITION: Gov. Ododo promises to make Kogi attractive destination for local, foreign investors »

…assures hitting the ground running with people-oriented programmes, projects.

…makes immediate appointment of commissioner designate, top aides.

The newly sworn in governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has promised to make the state a more attractive investment destination for local and foreign investors, adding that under his leadership the state’s economy would witness remarkable improvements, on the back of the solid foundation laid by the administration of his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

The governor made this known on Saturday while delivering his inaugural speech where he also added that his government shall hit the ground running with people-oriented programmes and projects delivered with utmost focus on the wellbeing of the people while they will govern with transparency, probity and accountability at all times.

The governor said “As we grapple with challenges of the past, we must reckon that it is indeed a new beginning and we must therefore work together to stem the tide of greed and irresponsibility in whatever guise, shape or form”.

Governor Ododo asserted as a government they must be prepared to make hard choices in a collective efforts to birth a new day in our state while alluding that the unity and cooperation of everyone will greatly contribute to the peace and progress of the state.

He added that in this new era, more homes shall be built, more jobs will be created, businesses would blossom and farmlands will thrive.

“Our health care system will witness massive improvement in scale and efficiency; our schools will be filled and our teachers will have more reasons to smile on their way to the classrooms; our youths will find more avenues to build skills for innovation and creative enterprises and the welfare of our women shall be the utmost priority of this administration”, he added.

While the governor acknowledged that there were existing challenges in the nation’s economy, particularly with regards foreign exchange, unemployment and inflationary trends, he said his government must dig deep and roll up its sleeves to confront these challenges in the real sector as a sub-national government ready to make a difference.

He affirmed that these effort would require the state to look at the low hanging fruits such as completing all the critical infrastructural projects of the immediate past administration that are dear to the wellbeing of the people and by tapping into existing opportunities for partnership with the Federal Government.

The new governor pointed out that it would focus more on its areas of comparative advantage such as solid minerals and steel development, agriculture, marine and blue economy; tourism and creative economy, as well as information technology and digital economy, where the youths population with tremendous energy could be hugely mobilized to become key players in the value chain.

He pointed out that as a the state governor, his government was extremely optimistic and they have very high ambition which may not be met easily or in a short span of time.

But he assured that with guidance from God Almighty, a support from the elders, the enterprise of the men and women who will serve in his administration, and with the full cooperation of the people, their expectations would be met.

Gov. Ododo said, Kogi State, which has been rated in the top 10 category under Governor Yahaya Bello by both local and international organisations, as far as growth indicators were concerned, would perform even better because the leadership would be more inventive, workers more productive across sectors and the productive capacity would remain undiminished under the new administration.

Speaking Earlier the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shetima commended the outgoing governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for laying a strong foundation for the new administration of Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo to take off from, noting that the President Tinubu administration was poised on deliberate partnership with state governments in a bid to deliver on the renewed hope agenda of the Federal government.

The highpoint of the occasion was the immediate announcement of the appointment of members of the State Executive Council, including the Secretary to the Government of Kogi state, the Chief of staff to the governor, the special Adviser to the governor on media, the Chief Press and some commissioner-designates.