By joshua 
Gov. Ododo again, pays N98.8B Kogi debt
By Hon Chris Ben-Kato Senior Special Assistant on Information and
Communication Strategy
Kogi first, the people of Kogi State his daily heartbeat. This of course is the mindset of the Chief Servant of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo since he assumed office on January 27, 2024.
His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is never faking his identity as the Chief Servant of Kogi State. He lives by it. As the Chief Executive officer the state, his humility speaks volumes and it is seen in him by the teeming Kogi populace and Nigeria at large.
There is no rhetoric about the excellent performance of His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo in office. His achievements dots the landscape of Kogi State and Kogi electorates are bearing witness on a daily basis. Indeed in terms of the provisions of the dividends of democracy he has never failed Kogi electorates.
Whats more? The recent disclosure of the Commissioner for Finance, Asiwaju Idris that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has in just over one year paid the debt of Kogi State to the tune of #98.8billion baffled Kogi electorates. In a country where many Chief Executives keep adding the state debts, Governor Ododo choose the part of being prudent in spending the state resources since he assumed office over a year ago. This of course is no mean achievement.
Even at a personal level, debts are setbacks to ones progress in life. Ditto to state and national affairs. As a matter of fact debt is a burden that no one wishes self except in cases of inevitability.
His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo as a professional accountant is a selfless manager of resources. With the huge resources he is spending monthly in developing social infrastructure across the state, the prompt payment of salaries, leave bonuses to workers and payment of allowances to Pensioners, one begin to wonder what magic his Excellency has put in place in defraying Kogi’s debt to the tune of #98.8billion within a year of assumption of office.
His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has the fear of Allah in his system. There are states in Nigeria where some of the newly elected chief executive officers do is to keep adding to the existing debts in the state without tangible development yet no one dare ask them. But His Excellency chose the part of prudence and since assumption of office kept embarking on gigantic projects for the development of the state while at the same time he kept defraying the heavy financial burden of the state. Definitely, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is never the run the mill chief executive of the state. He is never a selfish leader who will borrow on behalf of the state to amass wealth. He is a contented Chief Executive officer of Kogi State whose fear in Allah has kept shaping his administration.
While at Idah recently to flag-off a 7.8km road for the area, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo harped on unity and called on Kogi electorates to be united and see themselves as one in the business of making Kogi State great. This is what it should be. His Excellency is already living by example. He is touching every nooks and cranny in his developmental strides. He is living by example and the followers must follow suit.
My Leader, my political role model, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo you have kept breaking records since you assumed office on January 27, 2024. I remain grateful to you and will continue to eulogize your resource management and exemplary simple life leadership style. You are a rare leader. Kogi electorates keep praying for you. As for you, 2027 is non-negotiable, you will definitely return to Lugard House come January 27, 2028, Insha-Allah.
ONE GOOD TERM DESERVES ANOTHER
To Allah be the glory Amiin!!!!
Hon Chris Ben-Kato is the Senior Special Assistant on Information and communication strategy to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo