Felix Otaru
In a bid to meet the health needs of his people, member representing Omala State constituency, Hon. Umar Yahaya has officially flagged-off the construction and equipping of a cottage hospital at Ogodu in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Speaking at the project groundbreaking, Hon. Umar Yahaya said the cottage hospital will be of international standard, saying the essence of it is to provide quality health services to the people of his constituency.
He said “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we are here to commission this project for the construction and equipping of an international standard cottage hospital in Ogodu. The essence of this Cottage hospital is to provide quality health care to the people in Ojodu district comprising Olla, Ojiaji and Ogodu wards particularly our mothers, sisters who have find it difficult to get good health care services in the past.
“It is my desire to fulfill my campaign promise to my people. Your excellency sir, during my campaign, I told my people that I will not disappoint them if elected. I could still recall that, during election, I got a large amount of votes in Ojodu, followed by Abejukolo and other zones who sees me as the best bet to represent them in Kogi State House of Assembly.
“It is on this note, I have deemed it necessary to come and say thank you for voting and supporting the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) in Omala Local Government. This one is just the beginning. What you are seeing here is not just going to be a building, we are going to build it, equip it with world class equipment.
“We are going to have consulting, labour, and maternity rooms for our Women. Like other hospitals, we will also have the male and female ward, laboratory, pharmacy and all the necessary facilities that you think a standard hospital deserves to have.
“Beyond that, I have also made an arrangement trying to seek the support from the State Government so that qualified medical doctors would be posted to this cottage hospital immediately is being completed. I am optimistic that the Government under Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo will do it for Omala people.
“Let it be on record that the people of Omala State Constituency will keep supporting the government of his excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo. He is doing well for the people of Kogi State and I won’t disappoint him in ensuring that his blueprint is sustained at the grassroots. Omala Local Government will always be for the All Progressive Congress, (APC)”.
In his remarks, the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo who was represented by his Deputy, Comrade Joel Oyibo Salifu commended the lawmaker for delivering good dividend of democracy to Omala people.
According to him, the present administration under Ahmed Usman Ododo will continue to key into rural development, stressing that, his principal remains committed in touching lives at the grassroot.
“I am really overwhelmed with the warm reception in Omala Local Government today. What I have seen here so far is an elected representative who wants the best for his people which is in line with the current administration agenda for the people of Kogi State.
“I am imploring everyone here to emulate this laudable project aimed at complementing the effort of the government in meeting the health needs of our people” he stated.
The deputy governor stressed the need for the people of Kogi State to unite with one voice, by kicking against those promoting any form of ethnic agenda which he described as enemies of the State.
Earlier in his address, the Caretaker Chairman of Omala Local Government Area, Michael Ameh Edibo joined his voice in appreciating the Hon. Yahaya for fulfilling his campaign promises to his people, adding that, he has remain very outstanding in the current eight Assembly.
He emphasized that Omala people are very excited for his doggedness in coming up with strategic plans that will improve the lives and livelihood of those he is representing in the State.
The Caretaker Chairman used the occasion to commend the Kogi State Government under the leadership of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for restoring peace in Omala Local Government, stressing that, his swift action in weeding out criminal elements is already yielding result.
The immediate past Chairman of Omala Local Government Area, Alhaji Yakubu Aboh alongside a strong political figure of the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) in Omala LGA, Isaac Onuh both assured the lawmaker that his people are solidly behind him with his good work in Kogi State.
“What we are witnessing today is very historic. We are proud of his achievement in the last one year. This is a young man that was able to galvanize both the APC and the PDP during his election. Hon. Umar Yahaya has done well and we are all proud to be associated with him.
“I must commend the deputy governor for his loyalty to Ahmed Usman Ododo. It is very clear that Omala has adopted you and your principal in the journey ahead. The people of Omala have accepted the leadership of Kogi State. The Local Government workers are happy for the prompt payment of salaries by this present Government. What else can we say but to say thank you for all Governor Ododo is doing for us”.
Adding his voice, the Zonal Chairman of APC in Kogi East, Hon. Mohammed Suleiman while expressing gratitude to the lawmaker for flagging off the construction of cottage hospital in Ogodu admonished other Assembly members to emulate the remarkable footsteps of Hon. Yahaya in their respective constituencies.
Hon. Suleiman, again reiterated that, there is no opposition party in Kogi State, adding that, aggrieved parties should join hand with Governor Ododo to move Kogi State forward.
He averred that, “Our Governor is not a tribalistic person. He is a man of peace who is willing to do more for the people of Kogi State. That is what Hon. Umar Yahaya is also emulating. He is man of project. That is the kind of person we want at the helm of affairs. We need a leader who will continue to look deeply concerning the needs of our people irrespective of their political affiliations”.
The Speaker, Speaker Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf said the Omala Lawmaker has challenged his other elected colleagues in the current eight assembly that it is now time to match all their campaign promises to their constituents with action.
According to him “I want Omala Local Government to know that they are having a good representative. Whatever you are seeing here today, is not the effort of the State Government but the personal effort of your elected representative Hon. Umar Yahaya.
“That is the essence of democracy. I want to congratulate Hon. Umar for challenging us to go back and do more work to put smiles on our people. We are all seeing the reward for hardwork courtesy of Hon. Umar. Those who are playing politics, should play politics that will bring development to their communities”.
He assured the people that the current administration remains committed to improving the health service at the grassroots.
The ground breaking ceremony had in attendance, Deputy Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Comfort Ojoma, members of the State Assembly, prominent supporters of the ruling All Progressive Congress, traditional rulers, amongst others.
