By joshua 
X-raying impact of Sen. Karimi’s N850illiion, 94 bed space, personal funded Military Forward Base in Egbe.
By Abu Michael.
The need to X-ray the impact of the close to N850milliion, 94 bed space Military Forward Base in Egbe, personally built by Kogi West Lawmaker, Senator Sunday Karimi in fighting insecurity in the Egbe corridor has become very apt.
This reflection is in view of the quantum of resources deployed in making the safety of lives and properties of the people comfortable, juxtaposing it with objectives realization.
Though many people of the district who the base is meant to affect from Kabba to Egbe, have spoken glowing of the positive effects of the FOB, disclosing that it has contributed in no small measure to the protection of lives and properties along the Egbe-Kabba road corridor.
While there have been some noticed breaches along the corridor, the efforts of the security agencies in rising to the occasion to tackle such breach whenever it occurs however remains commendable.
Recalled that the Nigerian Army had commended the Lawmaker representing Kogi West Senator Sunday Karimi for building and donating the Forward Operating Base in Egbe, in Yagba East Local Government Area of the State.
The Nigerian Army Forward Operating Base, Egbe, Kogi State, a private initiative of Sen. Sunday Karimi and his family, was built on behalf of Egbe Communities.
Senator Karimi who is Representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the National Assembly aside the forward base, has also made several remarkable impacts in several communities to the extent that he is said to have done much in his first term than several terms of other representatives in the past.
The former Chief of Army Staff, late Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja at the Inauguration, showed commendations on the Lawmaker during the Commissioning of the FOB in Egbe, describing it as the biggest ever to have been built by an individual for the Military.
The late Chief of Army Staff who was represented at the occasion by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General OG Onubogu, maintained that the project is one that would have direct bearing on everyone in the State adding that, the Forward Operating Base is a testament to the vision, dedication and collaborative efforts exhibited by the Kogi West Senator.
The Chief of Army Staff said “Sen. Karimi has proven to be a Man who is focused on ensuring security, and progress for his community, expressed his heartfelt appreciation to Sen. Karimi for his tenacity, and commitment, spearheading the construction and completion of the strategic facility.
“As Chief of Army Staff, I make bold to say that through this kind of partnership and shared vision. Nigeria Army is reassured that members of the Civil Populace appreciate our efforts in curbing insecurity across the Nation.
“I’m assured that the construction of this new FOB is very timely which is in line with the operational and logistical challenges we faced”.
“I’m confident that this facility will no doubt enhance military operations and overall security operations in Egbe and along the border between Kwara and Kogi State”.
Continuing, he said “The Nigerian Army remains resolute in tackling the security challenges bedeviling our nation and Kogi State. The State is integral to that efforts because it is the most Central State in Nigeria. In fact, Kogi State is dominated by the most significant river in Nigeria and is surrounded by States from the North Central, South West, South East and South South, namely Niger, Anambra, Nasarawa, Benue, Enugu, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti and Kwara State.
“This means that Kogi State bears the most impact of any way of insecurity emanating from River Niger or any of this 10 surrounding States and the Federal Capital Territory. The Forward Operating Base like this are critical because it helps us to project our operations to not just only the host State but also the neighbouring State as well.
” This Forward Operation Base will support our efforts in stopping and deterring bandits, criminals, gunrunners and other criminal elements who operates around the forest and rivers joining Kogi and Kwara State”
That there are still noticed pockets of breeches, is not in doubt. The FOB has enhanced security in Egbe and Kogi in general. Officers and Soldiers of 12 brigades and two division Nigerian Army, have strived to use the FOB to meet the operational needs of the area as it has provided a secured environment for Coordination, community and strategic deployment.
The FOB in Egbe is equipped with hostels, kitchen, communication, homes and operational Vehicles among many other facilities, has to a very large extent motivated officers to ensuring that adversaries are not able to operate freely around the Egbe corridor.
The FOB project personally funded by Sen. Karimi, is to enhance the security of lives and properties for the community and communities bordering Kogi State, namely Ekiti, Kwara and Osun States.
Sen. Karimi during the commissioning described the security of lives and properties of the citizens as enshrined in the Constitution as the basic responsibility of any government, but can better be achieved with the collective collaboration of the citizens.
He noted that, “In the last few years, security of lives and properties in the country has been a challenge. It is not directly the fault of the present administration”.
“The problem of insecurity became noticeable since the second term of President Olusegun Obasanjo and it has been on the increase”.
“Under the former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration we thought he would do the magic, but all to no avail. Kidnapping was all over the place, banditry, cattle rustling, Boko Haram and other forms of insecurity became the order of the day all over the Federation”.
“Our area here was not excluded by reasons of heavy forest bounding Kwara and Kogi which has been an habitation for criminal activities”.
“Having noticed all of this, it occurred to me that we have to join hands with Government in reinforcing the Security in this area. Yes the army has a platoon of about 20 men here. We decided to provide a base for the Military here so that it can help to reinforce security in the neighbouring community bordering Kogi, Kwara, Ekiti and Osun States. With the Base, working with the Government, we will have an improved security of lives and properties”.
“This project is not a Constituency Project as spelt out in the budget. It is my personal initiative and fully funded by me personally and my family for the good of our people and neighbouring communities. It is not a Government funded or Constituency project as can be found in the budget”.
While pointing out that security is local, Sen. Karimi has equally been supporting local Vigilantes from the area to work hand in hand with the Military in easing their job with information to enable them fight against insecurity”.
The donated Forward Operating Base in Egbe by Sen. Karimi, which has 94 bed, is fitted with 3 bedroom apartment, commander’s office, CCTV, has 2 Gun trucks amongst others.
Speaking at the event, Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo, represented by the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara rtd, had said his administration will continue to make security of lives and properties it top priority, described Sen. Karimi as a pride to be emulated.
Similarly, the member Representing Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Leke Abejide, during the Inauguration, lauded Sen. Karimi as a worthy of emulation, promised his strong support for the FoB, pointing out that the rate of insecurity has greatly affected the people’s means of livelihood who are predominantly farmers as they are daily being kidnapped.
The FOB has two Hilux vehicles costing over N200m donated by Sen. Sunday Karimi to aid the operation of men.
Excited and appreciative of the effort of Sen. Karimi, recall that Members of the Kogi State House of Assembly from Yagba Federal Constituency, described Sen. Karimi, Senator as a worthy representative of the people.
The Member’s from Mopamuro, Yagba East and Yagba West Local Government Areas made the disclosure when they paid a visit to the Senator Karimi in his Abuja residence.
The State Assembly Lawmaker noted with nostalgia that the Senator has made so much impact within his short time in the Upper Chamber.
They equally praised the Senator’s empowerment programs that has empowered women, Youth and students, pointing out that his intervention in security are having direct bearing on the lives of the people.
The lawmakers particularly lauded his release of N100m for bursary, another N100m for women, praised the security forward base he built in Egbe, lauded his intervention in GSS KotonKarfe and in other communities.
The Lawmakers called on the Senator to continue in his trajectory of selfless service, pointing out that the people of the district are happy with him.
The representation of Sen. Karimi in the last two years has no doubt remained patriotic and impactful to the people of the Constituents.
Sen. Sunday Karimi’s, Representation has a trajectory. He has a pattern he has always followed whenever he has the opportunity to serve. This was noticed when he served two terms in the House of Representative.
Thus far , this trajectory is been re-enected, in his rural development of communities, touching lives positively, through personal support, empowerment and using the instrument of legislation to better the lot’s of the people.
Unlike other politician, Karimi’s ruggedness when it comes to issues that has to do with the well-being of the people he represents knows no bound.
Whenever he is on this path of service delivery, not minding who’s ox is gored, Karimi will over run interest that stands in the way of the people as was noticed in his person when he served in the House of Representative.
An unassuming personality, Sen. Karimi’s visibility within his district, touching lives on daily basis speaks volumes.
A passionate supporter of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Sen. Karimi described the present times as one competing seriously for government resources at all levels, pointing out that government can no longer do it alone, reason why he is pulling personal resources to complement efforts of Government at all levels, says President Tinubu remains focused and living up to the expectations of the people.
Sen. Karimi sees the APC administration of President Tinubu as the best thing to have happened to the country at this point, noting that without the current policies of the present administration, the country would have been long mortgaged. He always will commend Tinubu for his dogged determination in ensuring that Nigeria remains a going concern.
On record, Sen. Karimi’s record remains unbeaten in boosting rural community development through personal donations.
This has made many to wonder what manner of Senator is Karimi and where he gets resources from, as almost on daily basis, he is seen making interventions in communities in areas that have direct bearings on their lives.
This substantial individual contribution underscored his dedication to improving infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other essential services within the Kogi West zone.
Over the past two years, Sen. Karimi has initiated and supported various projects across communities in the seven local government areas in Kogi West.
These interventions include water supply and sanitation projects of about 170 Boreholes. Sen. Karimi’s support for education, infrastructure upgrades beginning from Koton karfe where he is rehabilitating GSS Koton Karfe with over N1.3b, in Lokoja, Kabba, Mopamuro, Yagba East and West Councils remains a thing of joy,
He has supported several health outreaches and with equipment, rural electrification projects in underserved areas, roads and bridges in communities cut off by lack of roads remains, makes Sen. Karimi’s representation unprecedented.
His repairs of key roads like Kabba-Ilorin and Bunu-Iluke-Budon roads with personal resources cannot be forgotten so easily.
For a man who will rather than convert his Constituency funds for empowerment, Sen. Karimi choose to channel over N6b into a Federal Government road, where he wont get a return but wants the people who see the road as a concern to feel the impact of government and representation.
Recalled that since 16 years ago, the Kabba Ilorin road has been left abandoned with no budgetary allocation. As at today, the Contractor’s have returned to site courtesy of his modest sacrifice.
That Senator Sunday Steve Karimi is changing the game in Kogi West is no longer news. His donations and support lives much to be desired, wondering what manner of Senator is Karimi, always having his people at heart the way he does.
Unlike what we’ve experienced in the past, Karimi is setting a new standard of leadership one rooted in action, accountability, and people-first service.
His N100M scholarship scheme for 1,000 students to be followed this year with another N300m across the State, the building of 75 solar-powered boreholes across communities as well as the rehabilitation of schools and construction of a 1,000-seat lecture hall in Kogi State University Kabba, stands Karimi out.
By the end of July, Sen. Karimi’s intervention in Titcomb College, his alma mater would have gulped N250m on completion, this is in the building of a CBT Centre amongst other projects.
He has also on the floor of the Senate, sponsored key legislation that have promoted accountability, makes his leadership one that is in action.
That Kogi West is rising to its desired destination in just two years and still counting as the beginning of better days to come places Karimi as toast of the people, with more to come in the coming days.