KOGI State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on Thursday, wooed former governor of the state, Capt Idris Wada, deputy governorship candidate in the last election, Hon James Faleke and others to join him in building a united and prosperous state.
Apart from them, the governor also urged the people of the state to unite with his administration to ensure the enthronement of unity and development that would impact on the welfare of the people.
Bello, who said this while addressing a crowd that gathered to celebrate his victory at the Supreme Court, expressed gratitude to the people and expressed his readiness to work for the development of the 25 years old state.
He said the solidarity of the people of Kogi State was a “clear testimony to their unimpeachable belief in his New Direction Blueprint, which represents the hope of a new Kogi State,” urging the people to rise up “in defence of the clear cut roadmap to the development of the state”.
He added: “Today, my hope in a united, prosperous Kogi State was reinforced. My belief has always been that of an unbroken entity that is prepared to lead the economic prosperity of our dear nation.
“Looking at the determination of the people that came to welcome us today, I am emboldened to face the future with hope and iron-cast determination to wrestle our dear State from underdevelopment, tribal chauvinism, economic sabotage and precarious governance. You have reminded me of the fact that with leadership, Kogi can become the giant of Nigeria. I will provide that leadership.
“I know that your confidence in our administration, your own government, is the fact that we have moved with unprecedented gusto. We are walking the talk. Few months into our administration, we have tenaciously matched our electoral promises by improving on the environmental sanitation in the State.
“We have fixed the eyesore, which our roads in Lokoja represented. We have moved to save the Civil Service from fraud and unconscionable corruption. We have set the template for good governance.
“In the last few weeks, we have been looking at our strategies for turning Kogi State to an agribusiness hub. Our strategies are gradually manifesting. I want to be judged with my performance in office.”
Governor Bello said fixing the state involved refocusing its priorities and speaking to the key indices for development, assuring youth and women of empowerment.
The Governor lauded the Federal Government for efforts at reviving the Ajaokuta Iron and Steel Company and the Itakpe Iron Ore Company, saying the move was in line with his administration’s policy of ensuring a private sector-led economy.
“In an economy like ours, we need to shrink up our recurrent expenditure in order to boost our expendable on infrastructural development. One of the ways of doing that is to encourage the development of an economy in which the majority of the workforce are employed and paid by the private sector. Within the next four years, our economy will be grown by the private sector,” he assured.
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