By: Idris Itopa Isah
At the early stages of the administration of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello in Kogi State, the discourse in the public space was about the competence and capability of the young man to match the high expectations of the people. But for a man who knows his own onions very well, having reached the zenith of the civil service before voluntarily retires without blemish, and ventured into partisan politics.
Fresh from an election where Kogites voted enmass for him and his party, the All Progressive Party, APC, the governor knew that his major challenges at the poll are still harking around to cast aspersion on his policies, but interestingly, six years of governance, the very opponents have been wowed by the sterling achievements of the amiable governor; a scenario that has been aptly tagged silencing opposition with giant stride of the young governor in the state; he chose rather not to join issues with anyone but concentrate on his mandate to deliver good governance to the good people of Kogi state, irrespective of what part of the state they reside.
For those who know how to read issues, governor Yahaya Bello’s current goodwill and popularity didn’t just spring up overnight, it was a case of diligence, hardwork and the ability to deliver, unlike those who will still take time to revel after being sworn-in as governor, Yahaya Bello took up the gauntlet immediately and delved into action.
Governor Yahaya Bello, on his inaugural speech, precisely on February 25, 2016, pledged to provide a dynamic leadership that would bring about changes in the who gamut of approach, perception in government/people relationship as he identifies certain areas his administration considered as priority; that is youth empowerment, agriculture, harnessing the untapped mineral resources to diversify the economy of the state, infrastructure, security and rural development, etc, etc.
Political watchers in the state, who are closely following the activities of governor Yahaya Bello, have commended him for rehabilitating youths in the state, by giving them formal training, a giant stride in calming frayed nerves of the youths restiveness in the state. Governor Yahaya Bello on his assumption came up with programme that have direct bearings on the lives of the people of Kogi State. He has embraced the idea that thuggery is nothing but a phenomenon that would add to the misery and poverty of the future generations which is why he has done everything within his power to discourage it.
A resident of Lokoja, Mr. Sylvester Ogeja, who also volunteered comments on the activities of Governor Yahaya Bello’s six years stewardship, said that if anything to comment on the governor’s six years achievement, the governor has succeeded in restoring peaceful existence among the ethnic groups in the state. There has been in existence of mutual suspicion, tribal sentiment and indifference among the diverse ethnic groups in the state, introduced by some ethnic past political leaders for their selfish gains. Indeed, since the emergence of Yahaya Bello, the issue of tribal sentiment has been completely buried and thrown out to dogs.
According to him, the state was also an unsafe haven of criminals, kidnappers, armed robbers and political thugs, who destroys, kill, main, rape and other social vises. With his timely and stringent intervention to curb the menace, we can now sleep with both eyes closed.
He noted that the Governor took the responsibility of providing a congenial business environment for indigents and residents by ensuring that he curtailed the activities of miscreants in the last six years, a development that has made commercial activities to bubble again in the state.
Interestingly, Governor Yahaya Bello, no doubt, has demystified governance by what he has been able to accomplish in the past six years of his stewardship in Kogi State. Whatever the mega projects the administration under Yahaya Bello has touched in the rural to urban areas in the past six years, like no past administration has ever done; from road projects to health facilities, security, mini-water projects to rural electrification, in concerted areas to banish darkness in the state. For the first time in the history of the state, that people of Kogi State are now seeing and feeling the impact of good governance, no matter how remote their communities. These are what matter to the people, not the ambition of a few disgruntled politicians with bloated egos.
If there is any weakness that could be identify with him, is that he doesn’t like being hyped. He loathes being praise-sung. He rather tell his cabinet members to always allow his work to speak for him, rather the praise-singing on the media.
More grease to your elbows, our amiable Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, for your unequal giant strides achievements in the Confluence State.
By: Idris Itopa Isah
Arewa Trust Newspaper Abuja
[08035130045]