PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday expressed his admiration for Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello’s work, emphasizing in particular how well he had performed in the areas of security and project delivery.
The president added that the governor, had demonstrated evidence of the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) overall outstanding performance in Nigeria, and the federal government was proud of him.
He spoke while he was in Kogi on a work trip to dedicate legacy initiatives started by the Bello government.
Buhari said, “I am impressed by the performance of Governor Yahaya Bello. He has done very well in the area of security and projects execution in Kogi State. We are proud of him and we urge him to do more for the people. I am appealing to the people of Kogi State to support him so that he can achieve and deliver more dividends of democracy,” he added.
The president who was very impressed by the Reference Hospital, Okene, congratulated the governor again, saying, “If one wants to see everything here, he will get lost.”
He added, “I have been briefed by Yahaya and his team on the myriad of projects we would have loved to commission for you across the state, including the brand new Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) at Osara, the Confluence Rice Mills at Ejiba, the various Township roads networks at Idah, Okene and Kabba and intra-state roads in the three senatorial zones, massive erosion works at Ankpa, Ogugu and other places, as well as other roads, hospitals, schools and sundry vital infrastructure.”
Assuring that the Ajaokuta Steel Company will soon be revitalized, the president also mentioned that his administration was striving to reposition Kogi as an investment centre by reactivating solid minerals in the state.
The world-class Reference Hospital in Okene, the freshly built Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, the ultra-modern GYB Model Science Secondary School, and the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre are just a few of the initiatives he put into motion in Kogi State.
In his remarks, the governor said, “Today remains a historic day in the lives of the good people of Kogi State.
“We were happy the very day you granted approval to come to Kogi State for the commissioning of a few out of the many projects this administration has executed for the people of Kogi State.
“When I was sworn in on the 27th of January, 2016, we were determined to serve our people and we quickly commissioned a multi-dimensional committee to form what we call new direction blueprint.
“From that period till date, this particular document has served as a guide for accelerated development in Kogi State.
“Mr President, we hit the ground running and you told me to be courageous in Leadership and also taught me how to bring out my best, and today, the projects are an attestation of our best to the people of Kogi State. I followed your footsteps in ensuring projects and infrastructures that have direct impact on the people.”
Bello appreciated all the support to the state and appealed for the completion of Ajaokuta Steel Company, adding that no nation could achieve industrialisation without iron and steel.
“We are still confident that your effort toward revitalization of the steel company will still be achieved before the expiration of your tenure,” he said.
