By Muslimat Itopa
The Kogi State Commissioner for Works, Engr. Mohammed Ahovi Yusuf, has marked the birthday of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo with a large-scale empowerment programme for youths, and women in Adavi Local Government Area of the state.
The event, which took place at Tafari Hotels and Suites, Adavi, was organised as a show of appreciation to Governor Ododo for his leadership style and achievements since assuming office, as well as a platform to give back to the grassroots in line with the governor’s directive to political appointees.
Speaking with journalists at the event, Engr. Yusuf expressed gratitude to God for the life of the governor, whom he described as a dynamic, indefatigable and people-oriented leader.
“We thank God and give Him all the glory that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, is my boss. He has been doing very well in terms of administration. Less than two years into his leadership, he has performed excellently, and that is why we deemed it fit to celebrate his birthday,” he said.
According to the commissioner, the celebration was not merely ceremonial but was deliberately tied to empowerment, reflecting Governor Ododo’s consistent message to appointees to give back to the people whose mandate brought them into office.
“His Excellency has always told us that we must give back to society. This is because it is through the people that we were appointed. That is why this birthday celebration gave us the opportunity to empower many people, with interventions running into millions of naira,” Engr. Yusuf added.
The commissioner also highlighted the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, particularly road construction across the state. While noting that he was not in a position to speak extensively on the recently signed 2026 budget, Engr. Yusuf explained that road projects remain a top priority under Governor Ododo’s leadership.
“Based on my area of jurisdiction as Commissioner for Works, we are doing very well in road construction across the central, eastern and western parts of the state. Last year, His Excellency gave us a mandate to construct 10 kilometres of roads in each of the 21 local government areas. That translates to 210 kilometres of roads statewide, and everyone knows that even a kilometre of road construction costs millions of naira,” he stated.
He expressed confidence that the newly signed budget would further accelerate infrastructural development for the benefit of communities and the state at large.
Delivering a message to young people, Engr. Yusuf urged them to remain peaceful, patriotic and focused, advising beneficiaries of the empowerment programme to use the support judiciously to improve their lives and contribute positively to society.
He described the efforts as complementary to the broader development agenda of the Kogi State Government under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
The event attracted top government officials, political leaders and traditional rulers. In their goodwill messages, the APC State Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Bello; the Auditor-General for Local Governments, Hon. Siyaka Yakubu Adabenege; and the Ohi-Otenyete of Ebiraland, Daudu Isa Ozi Salami, commended Governor Ododo’s developmental strides and described his administration as inclusive and impactful.
They also praised Engr. Yusuf for his performance as Commissioner for Works, citing visible road projects across the state as evidence of his commitment to effective service delivery.
As part of the empowerment exercise, cash support was distributed to beneficiaries across Adavi Local Government Area. Ward chairmen received ₦200,000 each, 24 local government executives and ten women were given ₦100,000 each, while 92 beneficiaries drawn from various wards received ₦50,000 each.
Engr. Yusuf noted that the empowerment programme aligns with his long-standing focus on grassroots development, recalling previous initiatives including support for women leaders, medical assistance for indigent citizens and scholarship schemes for vulnerable students.
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