The Kogi State Executive Council has ratified a series of strategic infrastructure projects, reaffirmed progress in security, and aligned more closely with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as part of efforts to deepen development across the State.
The decisions were reached at the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday in Lokoja, presided over by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, disclosed that the Council expressed satisfaction with the improving security situation across the State, following sustained interventions by the Ododo administration.
According to him, the Governor noted that the gains recorded so far would be consolidated, with a clear focus on achieving enduring peace and ensuring the safety of lives and property across Kogi State.
The Council also underscored its commitment to leveraging the economic opportunities embedded in the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government. Governor Ododo charged members of the Council and other public officials to translate national economic policies into tangible improvements in the living standards of the people.
A major highlight of the meeting was the ratification of the construction of a dual carriageway leading to the Kogi International Airport. The road project, awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), is expected to boost connectivity to the facility while strengthening its cargo operations, a key component of the State’s economic vision.
In the same vein, the Council ratified contracts for critical components of the airport project, including the construction of the main airport infrastructure and the perimeter fencing. While CCECC will handle the core construction works, Gamji Nigeria Company Limited is responsible for the perimeter fencing. The Council stressed strict compliance with global best practices in delivering the projects, especially given the technical standards required in the aviation sector.
The Executive Council also received update on the progress of the Kogi State Innovation Hub, described as a transformative initiative aimed at positioning the State as a center for technological advancement and digital enterprise.
The project is expected to provide a platform for young people to explore innovation, research, and entrepreneurship.
Officials noted that beyond its economic benefits, the Innovation Hub is designed as a non-kinetic strategy for crime reduction by productively engaging the State’s youth population.
The Council reiterated the commitment of the Ododo administration to impactful governance, with a focus on infrastructure development,
consolidation on gains in security of lives and property and inclusive economic growth.
The session also featured the formal swearing-in of the new Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abdullahi Bello, and the new Head of Civil Service, Falilat Yusuf, as members of the State Executive Council.
