By joshua KOGI DEPUTY GOV ASSURES ITOBE DISTRICT OF GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO DEVELOPMENT
The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Comrade Joel Salifu, has assured the people of Itobe District in Ofu Local Government Area that the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo will continue to address the developmental needs of the area.
Comrade Joel Salifu gave the assurance on Monday when he received a delegation from Itobe District at his official residence in Lokoja.
The delegation, led by former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Ndamodu Alih, included traditional rulers, political leaders and other stakeholders from the district.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Governor expressed happiness over the visit, saying politics would never separate him from his people.
He said he was aware of the poor condition of roads in Itobe and the need for better healthcare facilities, urging the people to submit a formal request for the upgrade of their primary healthcare centres to general hospitals.
The Deputy Governor promised to facilitate a meeting between the people of Itobe and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to enable them present all their requests directly to the Governor.
He noted that with many companies coming into Itobe, development was inevitable in the district, assuring the people that government would pay attention to their concerns.
Speaking on politics, the Deputy Governor urged the people to remain loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and support the administration of Governor Ododo, stressing that loyalty and commitment would attract more development and appointments to the area.
He called on Kogites to put aside ethnic sentiments and embrace unity, noting that no tribe is more important than another in the state. The Deputy Governor said Governor Ododo belongs to all Kogites and deserves the support of every citizen.
Comrade Joel Salifu also urged the people to pray for him to succeed in his current position, adding that he has no ambition beyond serving his principal and the state.
He further disclosed that he had already directed engineers to commence the drilling of boreholes in Kunube community following complaints over water scarcity. Adding that about fourteen communities around Ikagbo, Ojiofa and neighbouring areas would benefit from ongoing solar electricity projects, while similar projects had commenced in Agojeju and environ.
Earlier, the member representing Ofu State Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Amodu Seidu, said the people of Itobe had visited to congratulate the Deputy Governor and appreciate him for his support and developmental efforts in the district, assuring the Deputy Governor of the district’s support for the APC in the next year elections.
Speaking on behalf of the district, Mallam Suleman Ndamodu pledged the people’s loyalty to the Deputy Governor and the Ododo administration.
He appealed for the upgrade of primary healthcare centres in Itobe to general hospitals and called for the rehabilitation of feeder roads in the area.
Also speaking, the Onuh Itobe, His Royal Highness Alhaji Salifu Adaji, lamented the absence of a general hospital in the district despite its strategic location and growing population.
He appealed to the government to upgrade the existing health facilities to cater for accident victims and other patients.
In his remarks, Barrister Ndamodu Alih said the people of Itobe had resolved to work for the progress of the district through supoort for the government of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, and appealed for more appointments from both the state and federal governments.
The Executive Chairman of Ofu Local Government Area, Hon. Mohammed Lawal Musa, and the Director-General of Community Watch and Ancillary Matters, Hon. Muhammed Nasiru Alfa, urged the people to remain united and support the APC to attract more development to the area.
Unubi Emmanuel
Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor,
Kogi State
July 14, 2026