By joshua 
New Airport, Kogi’s tomorrow and Visioner Gov. Ododo
By Chris Ben-Kato Senior Special Assistant on information and communication strategy
One of the Holy books says where there is no vision the people perish. This of course is true of any community who lacks men and women of vision to drive positive development for her people.
Allah in his infinite mercies has of today blessed Kogi State with a servant leader, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo as the governor of the state. His leadership style since he assumed office in January 2024 clearly points to positive development across the twenty one Local Government Areas of the state.
One thing that is undisputed is that, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo sees far beyond today. He is a leader who sits, looks afar and envisions what will be beneficial to Kogi people in many years to come. His political foresight supercedes the superficial rhetorics of greedy politicians. This is indeed has placed him afar from some Nigeria politicians.
When His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo recently signed the construction of a modern international Airport at Zariagi – Kogi State, many political neophytes went to town antagonizing the noble vision His Excellency which in no distance time will be of great benefit to the good people of Kogi State.
Come to think of it, over ten states of the federation from the Western and Eastern plank of the federation pass through Kogi State on a daily basis to access the Federal Capital Territory Abuja. Besides, Kogi State is blessed with a quantum of solid minerals attracting foreign investors yearly. Thirdly the volume of traffic on Lagos – Benin- Kogi – Abuja road is unprecedented on a daily basis which requires an alternative to improve transportation in the country. When one puts these scenarios together, it will be foolhardy to say Kogi State does not need an international Airport.
The Itakpe Iron Ore PLC, Ajaokuta steel by the grace of Allah will soon come on stream. The Obajana and Mangal cement factories are already on ground in the state. These industries attracts volume of traffic to Kogi State. Other mineral industries will soon spring up in the state. Bearing all these in mind, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo saw a chaotic economic future if Kogi State is left without an international Airport.
When leaders with great vision conceives what would benefit the people in the future, people should stop politicizing such meritorious vision.
Those who do not mean the state well have raised issues of development in the state. It is very apt to state here that, since assumption of office about two years and two months ago, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has taken development to the three Senatorial districts of the state. He has constructed roads in Lokoja the state capital and across the Senatorial districts in the state.
On the welfare of the people the governor has stabilized the welfare of civil servants at the Local Government and state level. He has continued to pay salaries of workers promptly and implemented their promotion arrears. Pensioners in the state are paid their allowances promptly.
Above all the governor has from time to time send food palliatives to the twenty one Local Government Areas of the state to improve the well being of the people of the state.
Our students in tertiary institutions across the country are enjoying scholarship while final year students in public secondary schools enjoy yearly free payment of West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) fees.
In the area of health, the governor has upgraded and equipped over two hundred primary health care centers across the state. This development has gone a very long way in improving the health care delivery to the people of the state.
His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is a very humane leader. He cares so much for the welfare of the people of his state. His current vision of building an international Airport should be lauded by the good people of Kogi State.
An international Airport in Kogi State will greatly improve socio-economic activities in the state. It will attract foreign investors and create thousands of jobs for the good people of Kogi State.
His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is a rare leader who sees tomorrow and starts building it today for the benefit of the good people of Kogi State. If any thing, he deserves a second term in office.
ONE GOOD TERM FOR HIS EXCELLENCY ALHAJI AHMED USMAN ODODO DESERVES ANOTHER TERM
Hon. Chris Ben-Kato is the Senior Special Assistant on information and communication strategy to His Excellency, the Chief Servant of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.