…Plans Kogi Hall of Fame for State Founders
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has unveiled a roadmap for the implementation of the Kogi State Development Plan 2024–2056, with emphasis on unity, shared prosperity and stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
Ododo disclosed this in his 35th Anniversary Broadcast on Thursday, marking the creation of Kogi State on August 27, 1991.
As part of the roadmap, the Governor proposed the establishment of the Kogi Shared Prosperity and Transformation Council to support the implementation of the long-term development plan and bring key stakeholders together around a common vision for the state.
He said the proposed council would comprise accomplished Kogites, political leaders, development experts, academics, professionals, entrepreneurs and young people who could contribute their expertise and experience to the state’s development.
“I am proposing the establishment of the Kogi Shared Prosperity and Transformation Council to support the implementation of the Kogi State Development Plan and bring our people together around a common development vision,” he said.
According to Ododo, the council would also help rebuild trust and strengthen consensus across political, ethnic and sectional lines, with membership based on integrity, competence, experience and the ability to contribute meaningfully to Kogi’s progress.
The Governor stressed that Kogi’s diversity should be regarded as a strength, noting that unity was essential to attracting investment, maintaining peace and achieving sustainable development.
“Fairness creates confidence. Confidence creates trust. Trust strengthens peace. Peace attracts investment and supports development. This is why unity is an economic necessity,” Ododo said.
He said the development plan was anchored on projects and initiatives designed to transform the state’s economy, improve infrastructure, create jobs and position Kogi as a competitive economic hub.
” the construction phase of the Kogi International Airport at Zariagi, the proposed Kogi-Hunan Special Economic Zone in Ajaokuta and the reconstruction of strategic roads across the state”.
Ododo said the projects would improve connectivity, attract investment and support manufacturing and mineral processing, with the broader ambition of ensuring that goods could be produced, processed and transported from Kogi to markets within Nigeria and beyond.
The Governor also disclosed that 728 public schools were undergoing renovation, while more than 200 Primary Healthcare Centres across the 21 local government areas were being upgraded and remodelled.
On the state’s history, Ododo announced plans to establish a Kogi Hall of Fame to honour the founders and other major contributors to the creation and development of the state.
He said the history of Kogi’s creation would also be documented to preserve the contributions of those who played significant roles in the state’s journey.
The Governor called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, political leaders, business leaders, professionals, farmers, workers, women, young people and Kogites in the diaspora to take ownership of the state’s next development journey.
He urged the people to turn their diversity into strength, resources into opportunities and unity into a force for sustainable development and shared prosperity.
