Yahaya Bello came, he saw and he conquered!
I don’t want to remind us of the circumstances that led to his emergence as the 4th Executive Governor of Kogi State but from all indication, it was clear that the Former Governor, Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello is a Child of destiny and a Messiah sent to Govern Kogi at the appointed time.
Former Governor of Kogi State
We all knew how Kogi State was before the game changer, Yahaya Bello came on board and and without mincing words, he has indeed, changed a whole lot of narratives for good within his Eight years of serving as the Executive Governor of the Confluence State.
The Administration of His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello (27th Jan., 2016 to 27th Jan., 2024.), yielded numerous achievements across various sectors in Kogi State. I will remind us again from the key highlights below:
* TACKLED SECURITY CHALLENGES: Kogi, a State that suddenly became a safe haven for criminals from neighbouring States, carrying out organized crimes within and outside State, causing unrest to both citizens and travellers, witnessed unexpected transformation. Under Yahaya Bello, Kogi became one of the most safest States in North Central Nigeria for both citizens, travellers, businessmen/women including investors to thrive. The citizens could once again, sleep with their two eyes closed and go about their businesses comfortably because the security conscious Governor took the battle to them in their hiding places and flushed them out of the State.
He Improved security with 200 patrol vehicles for security agencies and established Kogi State Vigilante Service. For space factor, we all knew that he received several Awards as Best Governor in terms of Security Consciousness.
* INFRASTRUCTURE: His Excellency rehabilitated and constructed roads, including the Ikeje-Ogugu Ette Road and Ankpa Township Road. He Increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N150-200 million to over N1 billion monthly through the construction of the Kogi Revenue House.
From the State Capital, Lokoja to Idah, Gegu-Beki, Anyigba, Ogugu, Okene, Kabba, the signatures of His Excellency are everywhere. And these are legacy projects.
* EDUCATION SECTOR: Yahaya Adoza Bello during his tenure, declared free education from primary to secondary school levels in public schools, covering examination fees for WAEC, NECO and JAMB. He Established Confluence University of Science and Technology Osara, Kogi State University Kabba, renamed Kogi State University Ayingba to Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAUU) to immortalise Late Prince Abubakar Audu, a former Governor of the State and also achieved several strides in the Education Sector across the three Senatorial Districts.
He allocated 30% of the State budget to education, exceeding UNESCO’s recommended benchmark
– Trained and retrained teachers across schools
– Renovated 833 classroom blocks and constructed 1,800 new classrooms, and lots more.
* HEALTHCARE: He constructed the Reference Hospital in Okene and three state-of-the-art medical centers across the 3 Senatorial Districts. He upgraded Idah General Hospital to a Zonal Hospital and lots of other achievements in the sector.
* AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY: Alh. Yahaya Bello established a 1,000-hectare farm for rice production and procured 375 Ferguson Tractors
– Built the Confluence Rice Mill with a 36 million kg yearly production capacity
– Created over 15,000 jobs and increased farmers’ income through subsidy on agricultural inputs and micro agricultural loans. The achievements in the agric sector are too numerous and today, Kogi is better for it.
These achievements and more, showcased the commitment of the former Governor, Yahaya Bello to transforming Kogi State across various sectors.
Haven served the citizens well, he handed over power to his worthy successor, His Excellency, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo who is building on the good legacies of his Predecessor with several accolades from all angles.
It is also laughable, how some still went about to speak ills of him not paying salaries during his tenure. It is on record that within the year in review, the Federal Allocation for Kogi State was around 3 billion Naira unlike now that the State is receiving 13 billion. Also, we must set the record straight that all that happened at the Local Government level in terms of percentage salary during his tenure was something that affected all local Government Areas in the Country. Kogi was never an exception.
As a Leader who understands the dynamics of Politics both in Kogi State and at the National level, Yahaya Bello deserves a better treatment and reward for his commitment to the growth of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The efforts of Yahaya Bello while leading Nigerian youth to Campaign for His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, indicates how strong his voice echoes in the heart of Nigerian youths whenever he calls on them.
For a man that has done so much for Kogi State, he deserves a reward
For a man that has remain committed to the progress and growth of the All Progressives Congress (APC) both at State and National levels, he deserves a reward
For a man full of courage, vision and strength to bringing bringing dreams to reality, he deserves a reward!
Why is his reward now coming from a different angle? Why the continued delay in the EFCC VS FGYB’s case?
This young man deserves to rest after serving the State meritoriously for 8years as a Governor. He deserves a path on back for all his efforts.
The clarion call is that the judiciary should do her best, follow the rule of law.
Going by the records, his achievements in the State Speaks volume, let Yahaya Adoza Bello (Olushola Saraki of Kogi Politics) the former Governor of Kogi State, breathe!
* Chief Richard Asaje is the Founder and National Coordinator, Like Minds Alliance Pressure Group
*Acknowledgement:
Online Sources
