Harnessing Kogi’s resources for economic development

In furtherance of its drive for economic prosperity of all stakeholders and citizens in the state, the pursuit of the New Direction vision and policy trust on job creation which is one of the major policy statement and thematic areas among which agriculture, health, education and labour reforms are inclusive, the Kogi State government is now intensifying efforts in ensuring industrialisation of the commercial activities on the Confluence State. Investment and economic development activities have now been taken beyond lip service and commercial athletics (motion without movement). Plans are presently being rolled out by the organising committee put together by the state government and partnering the  organised private sector on the first ever Kogi State Economic and Investment Summit billed to hold between Tuesday and Wednesday. It is with the theme, ‘Discovering uncommon investment opportunities in the confluence’. It is expected to be declared open by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).

Now, why screaming for in Kogi? The facts on the ground and in the public domain portray Kogi as the best bride for every profit and value-driven investor. Kogi is very safe as the present government has taken the security of citizens and their properties as its primary responsibility. Thanks to the political will of the governor and team leader of the New Direction squad. It is he that has midwifed and delivered the enduring collaboration amongst the security agencies in the state. Investment of any magnitude in Kogi is very safe and guaranteed. The tranquility been witnessed on the Confluence State and low crime rates and the testimonies of Kogites at the recently concluded Kogi State Security Stakeholders Summit  attest to the reality of sanity in the state. Other investment indices like Return on Investment (ROI), sales, marketing, ease to do business ratio, labour (skilled and unskilled), tax administrations, environment, raw materials and institutions of government and her MDAs such as Bureau of Lands, Bureau of Public Private Partnerships, the Bureau of Public Procurement and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry  are on ground, ready and friendly, to smoothly aid and midwife investment of any genuine prospective investors into becoming a global brand to be recognise in industrial world and a friend to the banks.

All sectors of the Kogi economy are juicy for investment from all indications. Opportunities in agriculture and its value chain in Kogi are humongous. Statistics and milestones reeled out in the recently concluded Kogi State Agricultural Summit, which was largely attended by agribusiness operators, agric equipment merchants and fabricators, extension workers, agric engineers and economists, experts, farmers, policy makers, stakeholders and general public, say that the state is on the path to prosperity. Currently, the state is the largest producer of two treasured products; cashew and cassava. Any aspect of agribusiness which is of interest to any prospective investor is sure to bring returns. That summit only preceded the Kogi State Economic and Investment Summit, where further windows of investment opportunities will be practically unveiled.

It is an open secret that Kogi is richly endowed with solid and industrial minerals that flows from golden train of Yagba West to the limestone loaded town of Obajana, Alo, Okehi out which Dangote Cement and Dangote Group drives their balance sheet and iron-ore feasted town of Ajaokuta. It is worth mentioning the clay and feldspar ridding town of Alo, Itobe, Adogo, Omala among other towns on which West African Ceramics Limited and BN Ceramics commercial survivals lies. It may interest you to know that the best of the ceramics and tiles in Africa are produced in Kogi from West African Ceramics Limited and BN Ceramics Limited. Coal in Okaba and other parts of the state is more than enough for energy production that will guaranteed return for any investors interested in Independent Power Project (IPP) and spur industrial explosion in the state. Most of the mineral resources recognised by the Federal Government are in commercial quantities in Kogi State.

Gold mining is a lucrative business next to petroleum and the commercial deposit found in Kogi is one of the best quality which is highly competitive in international pricing of gold commodity. Geophysical survey, geochemical sampling and contracting core drilling of gold in the field are ongoing in Yagba West by an authorised company. But it remains a scratch on the surface as efforts are being intensified by the state to curtail the activities of the illegal miners. That means opportunities abound in mining in Kogi State. Prospective investors interested in mining are encouraged to take necessary investment measures to explore the inherent profitable investment in that sector and hence ensures the domestication of their productive activities in the State of the exploration.  One must not forget that goldmines equally lie in the sectors like trade, transportation, water resources, financial services, consultancy, entertainment and Tourism in the State. Kogi is truly your best destination for investment. Attend the upcoming Economic and Investment Summit. Come, Explore and Invest to Grow. Kogi is waiting for your arrival to announce you to the world.

• Jacobs is the Senior Special Assistant on Commerce and Investment to the Kogi State governor.