Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has called on the people of Ajaokuta Local Government Area to put aside past political differences and embrace unity for the progress and development of the area.
Governor Ododo who was represented by the Accountant General of the State, Dr. Habibat Oyiza Onumoko made the appeal during a thank-you visit to communities in Ganaja, Ajaokuta village and Geregu wards over the weekend.
The Governor noted that the visit was aimed at appreciating the people for their support during and after the last general elections and in fulfillment of his promise to take governance closer to the people at the grassroots to ensure all-inclusive development.
He assured residents that pressing concerns, particularly as it relates to electricity and water supply were receiving attention, and promised timely intervention by the state government.
He enjoined past and present political leaders in Ajaokuta to close ranks and work together in the interest of the people.
While commending traditional rulers and other stakeholders for promoting peace in the area, Governor Ododo described the current political atmosphere in Ajaokuta as more united than ever.
“We are no longer speaking with different voices. We are one today. Let us build on this reconciliation and move forward together,” he said.
He further encouraged continued loyalty to the ruling party, assuring that such commitment would attract greater inclusion in governance and more development to the area.
In their separate remarks, Onu of Ajaokuta, HRH Alhaji Mustapha Ayeniba ll, Anaja Gaku of Ganaja, HRH Abubakar Jibril Yakubu and the Etsu Geregu, HRH Haruna Aminu Manayi The lll, thanked the Governor for the visit.
They praised Governor Ododo’s commitment to his campaign promises, particularly the prompt payment of salaries and allowances to civil servants, which they said has restored public confidence in government.
The royal fathers also appealed for more employment opportunities for youths in the area, as well as the rehabilitation and construction of roads and other social infrastructure projects in different parts of the local government area.
The visit also saw presentations of clothes and cash gifts to women, the elderly, and other vulnerable members of the communities by the State Accountant General in line with the Governor’s compassion for the less privileged in the state.
The Accountant General was accompanied on the visit by a high-powered delegation comprising prominent serving and former political office holders from Ajaokuta.
Among them were the current Member of the House of Representatives for Ajaokuta Federal Constituency, Alhaji Abdulraheem Sani Egidi; Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Taiye Abanika; Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr. Yahaya Farouk; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Relations, Prince Haruna Ganaja.
Also present were former Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Lawal Idrisu, and Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Dr. Adams Adabenege.
Other dignitaries included the General Manager of the Rural Water and Sanitation Agency, Hon. Ibrahim Abdulsalam; AGILE Project Coordinator, Alhaji Tijani Oricha; former Chairman of Ajaokuta Local Government Area, Hon. Mustapha Aka’ba; Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Hon. Ismaila Isah; and former Commissioner for Works, Hon. Samson Bako.
