KOGI: Countdown to 2012 governorship race

Before Nigeria got her independent from the Britain in 1960, Sir Lord Lugard and his lieutenants first came to Lokoja, the head quarters  of current Kogi State. Lokoja was selected then among other developing and emerging cities such as Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Kano, etc. for their mission which clearly were for change and political […]

Before Nigeria got her independent from the Britain in 1960, Sir Lord Lugard and his lieutenants first came to Lokoja, the head quarters  of current Kogi State. Lokoja was selected then among other developing and emerging cities such as Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Kano, etc. for their mission which clearly were for change and political development, among others. Their belief then was that the people of this area are peaceful, industrious and hospitable. Thus, this marked the beginning of the desired changes.

 Lokoja and its environs are well blessed with abundant mineral resources that you can think of. The people coexist with each other without any form of aggression. And encouraged by this, they settled down and began to see how they could bring about the changes that brought what we call Nigeria today. Those changes include free and compulsory education, free medical services, mechanised farming, good network of roads, creation of conducive environment for the establishment of industries along the bank of River Niger, thereby creating huge employment hub either direct or indirect to the good people of this region and Nigeria in general.

All these and many more are no longer the same. There are no functional industries in the state, no good network of road, dilapidated schools every where, farming is generally at its lowest ebb. We are seriously alarmed by the growing poverty and impoverishment, unemployment is rising which has given rise to the current political thuggery that exist in the state. Today, Kogi State is competing with Niger Delta in terms of in security and arms build up. The proliferation of small to medium weapons in the state was really disturbing. These call for concern because the current state of affairs in the state is not we bargained for, and given that we don’t have any other state except this one we have to do something to justify the creation of the state.

One thing that makes life worth living is change. Given  this; many people young and old earnestly yearn for this change knowing fully well that it will bring about improved living conditions, creation of employment, good and affordable health, services, education etc.

At this stage, it must be resoundingly stated that incumbent Governor Ibrahim Idris in the face of all these odds, has not only blazed the trail by uprooting those vestiges that undermined the growth of the state, but has repositioned it on the part of accelerated growth and development. He has successfully crushed insecurity, massively revamped the education sector, built many urban and rural roads, to mention but a few. So, nobody should on any account hold Governor Idris responsible for the woes the state suffered in recent times

The governor has only created a level playing ground for all and sundry to work hard for the development of the state.

With the the envisaged changes come 2012 in the Lugard House, we the Kogi State youth for leadership and good governance which serves as the umbrella body for the various youth clubs  in the three senatorial districts  came together to support one of our own, Engineer Musa Wada to consolidate and build upon the achievements recorded by Governor Idris.                                   Engr. Wada (Samus) is not new to the politics of Kogi State. He is detribalised, and so has no constituency to call his own. With extensive contact with all the political groups, he is also widely respected in the state. He has provided scholarship to many students from all over the state, donated educational materials to various school in the state and provided free drugs to many hospitals. Among all the aspiring candidates, apart from youthfulness in age, his qualification and experience stand him out.

There is time for everything in the affairs of men, there is a time for waywardness, a time for stupidity, a time for dancing naked, a time for chasing shadows, but to Engr. Wada, this is the time for the desired changes. It is on this strength that we want him to take over from Governor Idris in 2012.

Aminu Akor Yunusa, Ankpa, Kogi State.