Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the executive governor of Kogi State, has been focused on the task at hand since taking office in January 2024.
His commitment is in accordance with section 4(2)(b) of the 1999 constitution as amended, which states that “the primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of the people.” Everyone assuming a position of political leadership should be aware that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” as stated explicitly in the Nigerian Constitution.
This clause highlights that protecting the safety and welfare of its citizens is the government’s first duty.
Ododo’s administration in Kogi State has reached out to all sectors in an effort to provide effective leadership. He has become so popular that, three years before his second term is due, people are already launching campaigns for it.
To solve the issues facing his people, he used every tactic at his disposal. Arnold H. Glasow asserts that “the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency is one of the tests of leadership.”
The governor has done a great deal in that regard.
Because he thinks that if the state is secure, the economy will benefit, he gave security first priority.
The state administration recently decided to use financial development as a non-kinetic, strategic way to address instability.
In a press briefing, Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo revealed that the State, led by Ododo, is making significant investments in vital infrastructure and agricultural empowerment to foster an atmosphere that prevents insecurity.
“We’re using agriculture as a weapon against insecurity, not just as a tool for food security,” Fanwo stated.
“By enabling our young people and rural communities to cultivate and produce, we are tackling poverty head-on and creating a more secure and efficient society.”
The Commissioner also emphasized the use of contemporary technology in the State’s security architecture, pointing out that early detection and quick response are already being impacted by surveillance systems, intelligence tools, and communication advancements.
The governor, who would rather be called Kogi State’s foremost servant, has remained true to his Consolidation and Continuity Manifesto since assuming the position of leadership. He has actually been getting better at it all the time.
He has not changed his pledge to guarantee that the people of Kogi State are fed. In his inaugural speech and during his campaigns, Ododo emphasized the importance of Kogi being able to produce its own food.
The Kogi State administration has reaffirmed its commitment to reforming the state’s agricultural sector and enhancing farmers’ livelihoods by signing the Food for Lagos agreement, which it claims will benefit Kogi farmers.
In a press release provided to reporters, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, outlined the calculated actions already taken to realize the initiative’s economic potential.
Under two weeks after signing the historic deal with Lagos State, Governor Ododo has started taking tangible steps to increase food production, upgrade infrastructure, and draw high-value investments into the state’s agriculture sector, according to Fanwo.
Major government-backed initiatives like ACReSAL (Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes), which is directing investments into rural farming communities, and RAAMP (Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project), which is assisting in the rehabilitation of rural roads to improve access to markets, were also highlighted by the Commissioner.
As seen by the administration’s numerous projects, Ododo’s emphasis on the health sector is particularly encouraging, and the program is a landmark.
A State Task Force on Primary Health Care Services committee was recently established by the governor.
During the Committee’s inauguration in Lokoja, Comrade Joel Salifu, the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, urged the Committee members to collaborate in order to create a more robust and healthy Kogi State.
Comrade Joel said the current administration’s dedication to the welfare of the people is what made the Committee’s formation such a daring step.
“We acknowledge that healthcare is not only a social service but also an essential part of the growth of our state.”
“We can raise our people’s general quality of life, lower mortality rates, and improve health outcomes by fortifying our primary healthcare system.”
With 11% of its population engaged in insurance, Kogi State recently became the best-performing state in Nigeria for adult insurance coverage, according to new 2023 data from StatiSense and EFInA. Kogi is ranked higher than Lagos (9%), Oyo (7%), and the Federal Capital Territory (6%), demonstrating the state’s dedication to extending access to high-quality, reasonably priced healthcare.
Another significant accomplishment of Ododo’s was the settlement of the Kogi State Government’s N98.8 billion debt during his 15 months in office.
The N5 billion Series 1 and N3 billion Series 2 bonds that the former Governor HE Idris Wada administration took out for infrastructure were fully paid and liquidated, according to the breakdown of settled debts provided by Mukadam Asiwaju Asiru Idris, Commissioner of Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, during a State Executive Council meeting.
“All payments and liquidations have been made for the N50.8 billion salary bailout from the previous administration. Payment and complete liquidation have been made on the N10 billion ECA-backed infrastructure loan.
“Zenith Bank Plc’s N15 billion infrastructure loan from the previous administration has been completely repaid.
“UBA PLC’s N15 billion infrastructure debt from the previous administration has been fully repaid and liquidated.
He claims that Fitch Ratings has raised Kogi State’s long-term credit ratings, also known as foreign-currency issuer default ratings (IDRs), from “B-” to “B” with a stable outlook. As of September 30, 2024, the total amount of state debt is N40,530,792,606.34.
To make Kogi a destination for investment, the governor attended the African Development Bank’s (AFDB) 2025 Annual Meeting in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to look for strategic funding for solid minerals, transportation, and agriculture.
His attendance at the esteemed forum, where he was reportedly invited as a Special Guest of the Continental Development Finance Institution, demonstrates the state government’s dedication to strengthening ties with international financial institutions in order to secure vital development funding that will unlock the state’s enormous economic potential and enhance the standard of living for its citizens.
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With an emphasis on three strategic sectors—agriculture, solid minerals, and transportation infrastructure, especially the construction of a proposed airport in Kogi State—the Governor is interacting with AFDB leadership to obtain targeted funding from a variety of the Bank’s specialized financing windows, according to a press release issued by Commissioner for Information and Communications Kingsley Femi Fanwo.
In keeping with his campaign pledges to support the state’s most vulnerable citizens, the governor gave food to more than 1,000 widows while promising that the state’s widows’ hardships would never be forgotten and promising not to politicize their affairs.
Ododo’s innovative leadership skills were demonstrated by a number of noteworthy accomplishments throughout his administration.
Speaking to our reporter, Mr. Jude Ekem, a political analyst, stated that Kogi State is an excellent illustration of a place where government triumphs over politics.
“The governor is performing admirably. His prioritization of the state’s civil servants’ well-being is something I must commend. He immediately pays pensioners their emoluments. Any government that hopes to succeed must take the welfare of its employees seriously.
An indigene from Kogi living in Lagos State named Alhaji Mustapha Ahmed informed our reporter that every indigene should be proud of the governor because of the remarkable leadership he has shown.
He insisted that, as an Igala man, Ododo’s administration has demonstrated that talent, not background, is what counts in governing. He emphasised that Ododo won’t need to run for office in 2027 since all responsible Kogi indigenous people will back him for reelection, allowing him to carry on with his excellent work.
Ododo has helped us realize that skill, not the governor’s background, is what counts. Previously, we would remark that it was the turn of this or that ethnic group. Although I’m Igala, I have to say that I won’t back my brother if he runs against Ododo in 2027 since the governor is doing well and we should give him a chance to continue his good work. Observe our youth. Thanks to the governor’s efforts, they now have the chance to work for pay. The employees are content. The pensioners are content. Everybody is content.
