Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has called on leaders and stakeholders of Ajaokuta local government area to close ranks and work together in order to fully harness the economic potential of the area for the benefit of the people.
Governor Ododo made the call during an interface with critical stakeholders from the local government area at the Government House in Lokoja.
The governor noted that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is making deliberate efforts to restore the lost glory of Ajaokuta as an industrial hub, stressing that division among the people could hinder the development of the area.
He described the practice of rallying behind leaders to fight one another by supporters as unfortunate and counterproductive, warning that such actions could undermine genuine commitment to the progress of the community.
Governor Ododo emphasized that Ajaokuta is richly endowed with mineral resources capable of transforming the fortunes of the people, but lamented that personal and selfish interests among individuals and leaders have continued to impede progress.
He urged stakeholders to caution their followers and maintain peace, assuring that his administration would not play politics with the lives and wellbeing of the people.
The governor also warned traditional rulers against allocating land to individuals without due diligence, stressing that any monarch found collaborating with criminal elements would be removed and made to face the full weight of the law.
Vgovernor Ododo advised youths in the area to remain responsible ambassadors of their communities and to respect elders, reiterating that his administration remains committed to youth-friendly policies and programmes.
In his remarks, former member of the House of Representatives for Ajaokuta Federal Constituency, Hon. Lawal Idris, commended the governor for his developmental strides and assured him of his support and alignment with the development agenda of the administration.
Also speaking, the member representing Ajaokuta Federal Constituency, Hon. Sani Abdulraheem, called for greater unity among the people of Ajaokuta and stronger collaboration with the state government to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people.
He expressed appreciation to the Governor for ongoing road projects in the area, noting that additional road projects are already in the pipeline under the leadership of Governor Ododo.
The Zonal Security Adviser for Ajaokuta Federal Constituency, Mustapha Akaaba, said the stakeholders were at the government house to appreciate efforts by the Governor in securing approval and attracting investors for the Ajaokuta Free Trade Zone, as well as initiating road projects in the area.
He also commended the ongoing security operations in the constituency, stressing that Ajaokuta would not serve as a haven for criminal elements under the administration of Governor Ododo.
Other stakeholders at the meeting reaffirmed their commitment to unity and support for efforts to accelerate development across the local government area.
