By joshua 
Gov. Ododo’s budget of “ALL INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT” will light up renewed hope for Kogi citizens in 2025
By Chris Ben-Kato Senior Special Assistant on Information and communication strategy
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s 2025 budget of “ALL INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT” as presented to the state Assembly promises a genuine hope for the people of Kogi State.
The governor’s excellent performance in his first year in office no doubt is a very good political litmus test for the good things of life that lays ahead for the citizens of Kogi State.
Our people often say a day that will be very intensive in heat can be deduced from the manner the sun of the day rises at dawn. His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s great performance in his first year in office is definitely a lead way to what Kogi citizens are expecting in the year 2025 and beyond.
The 2025 budget is summed up to a total of #582.4B and is broken up to #120.4B for administrative purposes, #227.8B for the revitalization of the state economy, #23.7B for Law and Justice and #210.7B for social services among others.
The 2025 budget took cognizance of the challenges facing the state and it is addressed squarely in it. While presenting the budget at the state Assembly, the governor said “the 2025 budget had taken all the necessary steps to address the economic challenges of the state.” His Excellency emphasized the fact that, the 2025 budget is part and parcel of the state long term development plan spanning 2024 – 2056. Bearing this in mind, it is therefore apt to say here that the Chief Servant of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has a bright vision for the future well being of the state and posterity. The governor indeed is a visionary leader.
Interestingly, the governor has never hidden his vision and love for the people living at the grassroots in the state. At the budget presentation, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo said the 2025 budget is tailored towards the payment of funds meant for all the ongoing projects in each of the Local Government Areas of the state. The governor is so committed in ensuring that the ongoing construction of township roads, provision of basic infrastructure in schools and other projects in all the Local Government Areas of the state are completed. Without mincing words, the governor deserves an applause for his inclusive progressive administration for all the people living at the grassroots in the state.
What’s more, during the presentation of the budget, the governor said “the 2025 budget is packaged towards pursuing the payment of the state debt obligations so as to free up resources for the rapid development of the state” This indeed is well thought out of the governor. No doubt when debts are paid more resources will be made available for the infrastructure development of the state.
The 2025 budget no doubt is an “ALL INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT BUDGET”. The implementation of the budget will put smiles on owners of small scale business, large entrepreneurs, civil servants, academicians, artisans, entertainment industry etc etc in the state. Thanks to the chief servant of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for the well scripted 2025 budget for the people of the state.
2024 indeed was a year of joy for the citizens of Kogi State. His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has positively changed the narrative in the administration of the state. Since assumption of office on January 27, 2024, the governor has tackled the provision of social amenities across the state. Projects like the Zone 8 – Zango -GYB junction and Zone 8 – House of Assembly Crusher roads have been completed with street lights in the heart of Lokoja metropolis. These were executed to the admiration of Kogi people. Farmers in the state have been provided with tractors, insecticides and pesticides, Hundreds of vehicles have been purchased and delivered to security agencies in the state to rid away criminals from the state, a new minimum wage of #75,500 has been implemented and even with the new increase, salaries are being paid to all the civil servants in the state as at when due. Pensioners in the state are currently enjoying an increment of #10,000 in their monthly allowances and good things of life are being provided to the good people of the state. Bravo your Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
To climax the year 2024, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo hosted the first Kogi State cultural carnival. It is the first of its kind since the state was created over thirty years ago. The essence of the carnival is to foster unity among the various cultures in the state and also to showcase to the outside world the rich cultural heritage of the state and attract foreign investors. The event no doubt brought joy to the entire people of the state.
Being a religious tolerant Chief Executive, a Christmas Carol was hosted in the state at the Government House Chapel Lokoja. Prayers and praises were offered to God for the governor to pilot his administration in peace and for the state to continue to witness rapid development.
Bearing in mind the positive performance of His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo in the preceding year there is no doubt that the entire Kogi State citizens have every cause to positively look forward to the transformative performance of His Excellency ‘s renewed hope of his 2025 “ALL INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT” budget.
My confidence in the positive performance of His Excellency, the Chief Servant of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo in office is daily unshakable. Once again I passionately appeal to all well meaning citizens of Kogi State to always give the needed support to the progressive administration of His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo. He is a rare politician whose leadership is primarily focused on the well being of the people of Kogi State. He therefore need the support of all to move the state forward and make it great.
THANK YOU, YOUR EXCELLENCY, THE CHIEF SERVANT OF KOGI STATE, ALHAJI AHMED USMAN ODODO
Hon. Chris Ben-Kato is the Senior Special Assistant on Information and communication strategy to His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo