As Kogi, the Confluence State clocks thirty four years of creation, Emmanuel Oluwakorede of our News and Current Affairs Department writes on the success stories of the State since its creation.
What is today known as Kogi State was created on August 27th, nineteen ninety one by the administration of former President Ibrahim Babangida.
The state was carved out from the old Kwara and Benue States exactly thirty for years ago with twenty one Local Government Areas.
From nineteen ninety one till date, Kogi State has been blessed with both Military Administrators and democratically elected Governors who has play their path in the peace and development of the country.
They are; Danladi Mohammed Zakari, Administrator from August nineteen ninety one to January nineteen ninety two, Late Prince Abubakar Audu from January nineteen ninety two to November nineteen ninety three and Colonel Paul Omeruo, December nineteen ninety three to August nineteen ninety six.
Others are; Colonel Bzigu Afakiya, Administrator from August nineteen ninety six to August nineteen ninety eight, Augustine Aniebo, Administrator, August nineteen ninety eight to May nineteen ninety nine.
Prince Abubakar Audu was again elected Executive Governor of Kogi State and was sworn in on May twenty ninth nineteen ninety nine and his tenure expired on May twenty ninth two thousand and three, while Alhaji Ibrahim Idris became Governor between two thousand and three to February six two thousand and eight.
Chief Clarance Olafemi became Governor in acting capacity from February same to April two thousand and five and Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, popularly known as Ibro was reelected Governor, a position he served meritoriously from two thousand and eight to two thousand and twelve.
Captain Idris Wada retired was elected Governor of the State and he assumed office on January two thousand and twelve to two thousand and sixteen, while Alhaji Yahaya Bello became the Governor between two thousand and sixteen to January two thousand and twenty four with the incumbent, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo elected as the fifth executive Governor of Kogi State and he assumed office on January twenty seventh, last year.
The major ethnic groups in the State include; Igala, Okun and Ebira as IT shares boundaries with Nasarawa, Niger, Benue, Anambra, Ondo, Kwara, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu States and the Federal Capital Territory.
Kogi State, also known as the Confluence State is blessed with abundant natural human resources yet to be fully tapped.
As the Gateway between the North and Southern part of the country, the State is blessed with very rich cultural values, great natural endowments and infinite stretches of arable land is located strategically.
Since it’s creation, Kogi State remains one of the States that cannot be wished away in the affairs of Nigeria.
Since its creation, Kogi State is proud of three State owned Universities namely; Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba, Confluence University of Science and Technology Osara and Kogi State University Kabba, all with full accreditation of their courses.
The State takes pride in Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, College of Education Ankpa, College of Education Technical Mopa, College of Health Sciences Obangede, College of Health Sciences Idah and the Nigerian Korea Friendship Institute of Vocational and Advanced Technology Lokoja.
All these Tertiary Institutions particularly the Universities has in no small measure brought to the barest minimum, issues of Education tourism across other State and shortages in the number of admission given to Student of the State Origin.
Kogi State is also blessed to host one of the biggest Cement Factories in the World, Dangote Cement, Mangal Cement and other gigantic industries that have added value to the State.
These Companies apart from government jobs have no doubt provided means of livelihood to thousands of people both from within and outside the State.
Also, the State is blessed with human resources that are doing well in the Governance of the State, country and abroad, contributing in different spheres of life both government and private.
In the Area of infrastructure such as roads, water, electricity among others, the State is not left behind as a lot has been achieved across the twenty one Local Government Areas.
With the arable land the State is blessed with, it has continued to contribute to the Nation’s Agriculture sector, taking the lead in cassava production, cashew, rice, fish among others.
Religious harmony which is one the characteristics of peace has been recorded in the State as the relationship between the Christians and Muslims have been symbiotic in nature and this has contributed to the peaceful co-existence in the State.
One unique thing about Kogi State that is even lacking in other States created before the Confluence State is Youth and women inclusion in governance both at the State and Local Government Levels.
In all, the state is not where it was before as the current Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is consolidating well on the achievements of his predecessors with achievements in the Agriculture, Health, Education as well as other critical sectors.
However, despite all these remarkable feats, the Unity of the State is not negotiable as ethnic politics must be avoided in totality while equity, fairness and justice should be the watchword of Leaders at both State and Local Government Levels.
Also, Secondary education in the State is in dire need of funding especially in the Area of infrastructure and other amenities that will improve teaching and learning of secondary schools.
In commemorating these milestones, it must look at the past, reflect on the present and prepare for a future that posterity will be proud of so that the effort of its founding fathers will not be in vain.
As the people of Kogi State celebrate the thirty fourth anniversary of the Confluence State today, the State must count its blessings, roll out drums, sing and dance as the State has made significant progress since its creation.
WRITTEN BY EMMANUEL OLUWAKOREDE OF OUR NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
