By Kingsley Femi Fanwo
Kogi State is one of the North Central states of Nigeria with burgeoning youth population taking the lion’s share of the approximately five million people living in the State.
Lokoja, the State Capital was the place where the amalgamation of the Northern and the Southern protectorates took place in 1914, making it a politically historic town. The late Sir Lord Lugard was one of the most iconic characters that dotted the political history of Nigeria.
That is the reason the European Cemetery is still in Lokoja till date. The European Cemetery is at the heart of the Lokoja Township, close to the Secretariat of the Lokoja Local Government Area. Every year, Europeans come to the place in their numbers to behold the final place of rest of their forefathers. The European Cemetery is a Tourist Center in the State.
Of geographical importance is also the Confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue in Lokoja. From Mount Patti which is thousands of meters above sea level, the scenery of the Confluence is beautiful to behold. Rivers Niger and Benue are two of Africa’s most popular rivers. Only a few cities around Africa boast of such natural scenery.
Then Mount Patti itself. It is a cool, flat mountain top with lush greenery. The Lord Lugard Court is still there till date.
While Idah will tell the story of Inikpi and the powerful Kingdom of Attah; the Ebiras are producers of some of Africa’s finest fabrics. They are natural warriors who hardly lost any war and also parades some of the most beautiful and culturally powerful masquerades in Nigeria.
The Okun Yoruba people also boast of very rich cultural heritage. They celebrate “Oro”, “Egungun” and a lot of other cultural festivals. Their colourful culture attracts tourists from around the world.
The Ovia-Osese Festival in Ogori Magongo is an internationally recognized festival, reputed for promoting purity among young girls, a trait that is being lost globally.
Despite our rich tourism, Kogi also boasts of many mineral resources. The Iron Ore deposit at Itakpe to the Ajaokuta belt led to the establishment of the Ajaokuta Steel Company. Researchers are of a strong opinion that the Iron and Steel deposits in that belt is only comparable to those of the Ruhr Valley in Germany. We also have large deposits of limestone leading to the establishment of Dangote Cement Company at Obajana and recently, Mangal Cement Company in Ijumu Local Government Area. It is on record that we have close to 30 mineral resources in the State.
But beyond the mineral resources, Kogi’s land are fertile and expansive. Kogi with a land area of 29,833 square kilometers, has more land than the entire South East Nigeria with a combined land area of 29,388 square kilometers, with every Local Government Area capable of massive agricultural production. Currently, we are the leading Cashew Producer in Nigeria and we are in the top three in Cassava Production. There is virtually no crop that cannot be produced in Kogi State.
What Are the Investment Opportunities in Kogi State?
Solid Minerals
With the current administration gradually opening opportunities for states to have a say in solid minerals in their states, it is expected that the State Government will also participate in driving investments in solid minerals. Every Local Government Area in Kogi State has abundance of solid minerals. Kogi is the key to the prosperity of our dear nation.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the new gold. Kogi has rich soils that can produce Nigeria’s food requirements. With expansive land, investors are welcomed to make the best of the opportunities and ensure food security in Nigeria.
To set the ball rolling, the State Government under the present administration has invested heavily in agriculture and empowering rural farmers to embrace mechanized farming for mass food production.
The State Government also expects interested and capable investors to come into the value chain conversation. Processing plants can be established to process the raw agricultural produce. This will enable our teeming youth access job opportunities and also add to our economic expansion program.
Tourism
Tourism is an untapped area in the state. Mount Patti can be the most central version of Tinapa. Interested investors can harness the opportunities around Mount Patti, the Confluence and many other tourism opportunities in the State.
Real Estate
Lokoja has been reputed as one of the fastest growing cities in the world. For every growing population, shelter is highly needed. Real Estate could be the game changer here.
With the agricultural policies of the Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo Administration, rural -urban migration is gradually reducing as more people now move to the rural areas to do agricultural businesses. It means that more houses will be needed around heavy agro-investments.
Pharmaceuticals
With the heavy investments of the State Government in healthcare infrastructure, Kogi is emerging as a profiting destination for pharmaceuticals to feed the growing numbers of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities in the State.
Currently, the most equipped hospital in Nigeria is the Reference Hospital which is serving as the Teaching Hospital for the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara. The current administration is building more health facilities as well as upgrading over 70 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state. An investment in Pharmaceuticals in the State will also create a central market for the companies to access the ten states bordering the state as well as the FCT.
Transportation
An area that has not been properly tapped in Kogi State is water transportation. Investors will find this area interesting and rewarding. There is also a need for an Airport in the State to decongest the International Airport in Abuja and also leverage on Kogi’s centrality to connect every part of Nigeria.
Others
Investments could also come into the Educational Sector, Information and Communications Technology as well as assemblage of construction and agricultural machines as the state is fast becoming a construction and agricultural hub.
Why Invest in Kogi?
A Committed Governor
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Chief Servant of Kogi State is leading the investment drive as the Chief Marketer of the State’s potentials and opportunities. He is committed to protecting investments in the state.
Friend Tax Administration
Our Tax Administration in Kogi State is such that projects investments. The strategy is to have more taxable investments paying friendly taxes than impose heavy taxes on a few investments.
Our taxes are investment friendly. We also ensure tax integrity and makes payment seamless.
Our Location
Kogi State is the most Southern part of the North and the most Northern part of the South. Bordering 10 states and the FCT, Kogi is the surest gateway to every part of Nigeria.
An investment in Kogi State is an investment at the heart of the nation.
Security
Kogi is one of the safest states in Nigeria today. Due to heavy investments in security over the past nine years, the state has been able to develop a robust security architecture to deal with security challenges and avert several others.
It is not a surprise therefore to see investors moving their investments into the state. The administration of His Excellency Alh Ahmed Usman Ododo has also stepped up the security game by strengthening security agencies to ensure the protection of lives and property in the State.
Assured Healthcare
With the world class healthcare facilities across the State, investors are guaranteed of the healthcare and well-being of their staff in order to produce optimally.
Over the last 8 years, the State Government has been consistent in investing massively in the sector to make the State a hub for health tourism.
Our Educational Institutions As Incubators For Quality Workforce
The Prince Abubakar Audu University, Confluence University of Science and Technology, Kogi State University, Kogi State Polytechnic and many other institutions of learning established by the State Government are fast becoming excellent training grounds for quality manpower.
The State Government’s unimpeachable investment in education is fast paying off with the prospects emerging from those institutions.
Recently, students of the Kogi State College of Education (Technical), Mopa , fabricated and assembled a Passenger -Cargo Tricycle. These are areas that investors can invest in. Our state is intentional about producing some of the best scientists and engineers that this country will ever see.
We are ready to welcome genuine investors. Kogi is ready for the new phase of economic revival in our dear nation.
Invest in Kogi State…the Confluence of Opportunities.
Kingsley Femi Fanwo is the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications
For more information about the Kogi State Government, visit www.kogistate.gov.ng
