- Shettima: We have absolute confidence Ododo will deliver
The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Josiah Majebi, on Saturday, swore in Ahmed Usman Ododo as the fifth executive governor of Kogi State.
Ododo, who was sworn in at the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre, Lokoja, the Kogi State capital on Saturday, made his first appointments during his inaugural speech.
He took the oath of office and allegiance at 2:25 p.m. after his deputy, Elder Joel Salifu Oyibo, took oath earlier at 2:18 p.m.
The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who represented President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, witnessed the ceremony.
Ododo, immediately after the allegiance oath, took the first salute and review of parade.
Speaking afterward, the Kogi new governor eulogised his immediate predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for giving him the opportunity to govern the state.
The governor promised that the state under his administration would be made a hub for economic growth in line with President Tinubu’s renewed economic policies.
The governor urged the people of the state to stem the tide of greed and be prepared to make hard choices with unity and cooperation, assuring that it is a new dawn for the people.
Ododo assured the people of the state that he would work to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people, stressing that the era of bitter politics was over.
He said: “There would no longer be politics of bitterness in the state, as taught by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu. I urge all the people of the state to join hands with me in building a vibrant Kogi State.
“I will build on the solid foundation of unity existing in the state. I will strive not to undermine the trust placed in him to lead the people of the state.
“I promise to govern with the fear of God, fairness, equity, and justice.”
He assured that he would not fail the people and promised to be transparent and accountable.
Ododo also urged the people to choose unity and togetherness and affirmed his will to pursue their full measure of happiness without tribal or ethnicity that binds them together.
“We will work to sustain the ideals of the founding fathers, delivering on the dreams of a prosperous Kogi State that will lead to the progress of Kogi State as envisioned by the founding fathers.”
To ensure a sense of belonging, Ododo assured that the charter of power rotation, which would ensure inclusivity, would be worked upon.
“I shall hit the ground running with programmes that would ensure the well-being of our people, with accountability and transparency as our driving force.”
“I will open the state to become the investor hub under a robust public-private partnership. My administration will strive to make the state attractive and an investment destination.
“Under my administration, more homes will be built. More businesses will spring up. Our farmland will be flourishing. Our school will be filled. Teachers will smile. Youth will be enterprising. Women would be gainfully engaged.”
“Let it be said that once upon a time, when our will was tested, we strived for unity for the future generation of all Kogites.
”Our administration will strive to complete all ongoing projects and focus on solid minerals, steel development, marine, and digital economy.”
Governor Ododo expressed optimism about a better Kogi State that will meet the expectations of the people, with Kogi State made better under his administration.
He said he would build on the achievements of his predecessor, describing former Governor Bello as the father of modern Kogi State, and praising him for his life transformation achievements and for building a modern Kogi State.
He called on the people to join hands with him in building the unity of the state, acknowledged the efforts of former Governor Idris Wada, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, and said history will remain kind to them for their roles in shaping the state on the basis of unity.
Ododo paid glowing tributes to the late Prince Abubakar Audu and lauded President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for making the state peaceful and united before and after the governorship election. The high point of the occasion was the new governor’s announcement of appointments on his first day in office.
The governor nominated some commissioners and other top aides, some of whom had served in the immediate past government of Yahaya Bello. He announced 16 commissioner nominees to be screened by the state House of Assembly as members of his cabinet.
The nominees include Farouk Danlami, Salami Ozigi-Deedat, Basiru Abubakar, Adams Abdulaziz, Joseph Oluwaseun, Muzi Yinusa Abdullahi, Wemi Jonze, Rabiatu Okute, Fanwo Kingsley, Fatima Momoh, Mohammed Yusuf, Timothy Ojoma, Sunday Faleke, Abanika Taye, Asiwaju Idris Asiru, and Mohammed Adbulmutalib.
Ododo also announced the appointment of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and other aides. The appointees are: Folashade Ayodele Arike (Secretary to the State Government); Ali Bello (Chief of Staff to the Governor); Hilary Ojoma (Deputy Chief of Staff); Elijah Evinemi (Head of Service); Jerry Omodara (State Security Adviser); Isah Ismail (Special Adviser on Media); Sulaiman Ibrahim (Director-General Protocol); Oladele John Niyi (Chief Press Secretary); Shaibu Orisa (Director-General Government House) and Femi Adegboyega (State Legal Adviser).
Shettima expresses confidence on Ododo’s ability to deliver good governance
Vice-President Kashim Shettima yesterday expressed the confidence of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the ability of the newly inaugurated Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State to deliver good governance in the state.
Shettima spoke during the inauguration of Ododo at the Muhammadu Buhari Square in Lokoja.
Shettima said the change of baton from one progressive to another will not disrupt the dividends of good governance in the state.
He noted that Kogi State remained bound by the ideals and promises of a unified council of leaders and the largest party in Africa, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
While delivering his speech titled “Standing together, standing for the people, Shettima conveyed the heartfelt goodwill of President Tinubu to the people of Kogi State.
According to him, President Tinubu holds absolute confidence in Ododo as the new helmsman of the state.
“The President remains committed to collaborating to optimise the vast potentials of Kogi and bring to fruition the aspirations of its illustrious people.
” This historic day is not an orphan; it is born from a collection of sacrifices and an inventory of commitments to serve the people.
“This historic day is the ultimate demonstration of faith in Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo, a man fit for the shoes he is about to step into.”
Shettima described the former Governor Bello as “indefatigable White Lion, the people’s lion”.
The vice-president pointed out that the historic inauguration of Ododo as Bello’s successor was an “eloquent referendum on Bello’s stewardship.
” We are not here by accident, for none of us would ever escape our destiny. It’s this fatalism in our service to humanity that inspires our humility to stay on track.
” We are here merely because we are chosen by the people to represent their ideals. While political parties embody ideologies, it is the people who uphold the value system that appeals to our humanity.
” Kogi is fortunate to have our trusted patriots safeguarding their interests,” he added.
Shettima observed that Ododo is stepping in as the Governor of Kogi at a time it may seem difficult “to assume a leadership position in Nigeria”.
He, however, implored the governor not to despair, saying that “it is precisely during these tumultuous times that a leader of note proves his resilience.
The Guest Speaker at the memorial lecture, Tijjani Muhammad- Bande, who is Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, asked Northern leaders to preserve the legacies of Sir Ahmadu Bello and his compatriots.
He said past Northern leaders “did not pursue the rat and ignored the burning house. They used what they had wisely.
“They were never caught sleeping on the job. Rather, they faced up to the challenges of their times with every legitimate tool at their disposal.
“They developed a vision of a prosperous, self- reliant, and self- assured northern region. They created, repurposed and reinvigorated institutions to make their vision a reality.”
He said the reason why Sardauna is being glorified is the value of teamwork, resilience and commitment to the provision of qualitative education, agriculture, and infrastructural development.
He said without a solid civil service and addressing the gaps between the poor and the rich, the insecurity bedeviling the country will not be addressed soon.
“In the last 30 years, all the indices on development like education and others are not favourable to the north, but with commitment to one north, one people and one destiny, we will get there,” he said.
He urged people from the north and the southern part of the country to avoid amplifying the ember of hate in the country.
He asked Nigerians to work towards trust building, which is the surest way of the country’s development.
“Nigeria is sweet and we have to work to make it sweeter,” he said.
Host Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, said good governance could curtail banditry, insurgency, kidnapping and other security challenges in the country..
Zulum said for a meaningful development to take place, corruption must be fought to a standstill.
He said: “With Corruption, Nigeria cannot get it right. The north and Nigeria need to have it right, leaders have to ensure good governance.
“We have to cut costs because even the money sunk in organizing this annual lecture will take over 1,000 Nigerians out of poverty.”
He asked those in the position of leadership to provide good governance.
His words:”It’s the obedience to rule of law, regulations that had happened during Sardauna’s administration that is why we want to emulate the good work he’s done.
“But corruption that is eating into the fabric of our society is making it difficult for us to address the insecurity bedeviling the North and the country.”
He advised people to be honest, identify honest people and elect them into governance for effective service delivery
“Because if you collect money from dishonest people and vote them, you will never get it right.”
Zulum said that Borno State has been able to surmount 90 per cent of its security challenges and was confident that it would get rid of the remnants of Boko Haram before 2027.
Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion and the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, said the north should not be afraid of restructuring and resource control.
He said the region has the human resources, mineral resources and vast land to provide for the people.
“North should not be afraid of restructuring and resources control. We have the human, mineral resources and the land.
“The North has the land for agriculture, manpower for development. If oil can be found in Chad and Niger Republic, there is nothing that can stop Nigeria from getting oil from the North.”
While outlining the Northern Governors’ strategic roadmap for addressing the root causes of underdevelopment in the region, Inuwa Yahaya emphasised the role of good governance as a potent antidote to security challenges.
“Under my leadership, and with the support of my colleagues, the Northern States Governors Forum is coming up with a strategic roadmap towards addressing the root causes of under-development in our region. We believe that only through good governance, unity, and a shared commitment to progress, can we overcome the security challenges affecting us”.
The governor stressed the importance of prioritizing citizens’ well-being through access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, underlining the principles of equity, fairness, justice, and inclusivity.
Reflecting on Sir Ahmadu Bello’s legacy, Yahaya posed a question to Northern leaders: What would Sir Ahmadu Bello have done in response to the current security challenges?
He said the late statesman would have responded decisively with unity, determination, and effective governance.
“As leaders of northern Nigeria, we must ask ourselves what would Sir Ahmadu Bello have done if he were alive? How would he have responded to the current security challenges bedeviling northern Nigeria?
“I would say without any fear or doubt that the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, like the true statesman that he was, would have responded decisively with a sense of unity, determination, and effective governance”.
He stressed the importance of drawing inspiration from the Sardauna era in addressing contemporary challenges, particularly the prevalent insecurity, including cattle rustling, kidnapping, and banditry.
The Royal Host, The Shehu of Borno Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi, thanked the foundation for chosen Borno State and promised them continued support.
The lecture was attended by the governors of Borno, Gombe and Niger Muhammad Umar Bago and the former Governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau and Minister of Education, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, among other important dignitaries.
Emeritus Professor Umaru Shehu, Aisha Muhammed Nahuce, Prof. Deborah Eniho and Adams David Beiki were among those that were awarded by the foundation.
The 11th Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture is to be hosted by Bauchi State in 2025.
