We immeasurably appreciate you for your kind support towards the New Direction government of Governor Yahaya Bello.
[dropcap]W[/dropcap]e immeasurably appreciate you for your kind support towards the New Direction government of Governor Yahaya Bello.
We admit that governance is no child’s play and we are continually evolving to surmount the challenges ahead even as we work hard to emplace a sustainable foundation for the socio-economic advancement of our beloved state.
As a matter of fact, the past weeks have been challenging for the state and her citizens. Despite the pockets of challenges confronting us, we have recorded some victories: The passage of Kogi State Appropriation Bill by the State House of Assembly and signing of the budget into law by His Excellency; the approval of recruitment of high cadre personnel for the health sector in treating the inefficiency of our receding dilapidation of hospitals and manpower to effectively power the state health sector.
We have also recorded a great feat in the area of security as we crackdown on nefarious terrorist elements that have consciously given our state a bad name — a proactive response from the State Government and our fully-equipped and professional security personnel in the state, the fine officers of the Joint Security Task Force.
With the signing of the State Appropriation Bill into law by His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello, and the instant implementation of the budget, without further ado, governance activities are greatly improving.
Consequently, as the Governor has said, all projects under construction will go on uninterrupted while we also monitor activities of contractors to ensure compliance with standard and specification.
Like I stressed earlier, we have had pockets of challenges, one of which is the screening of civil servants in the state. His Excellency embarked on a cleansing of the rot in the Kogi Civil Service, an endeavour which became imperative if the state must grow and develop. We no doubt, admit to how inconvenient the process has been. We have also seen viral reactions towards the screening with which we cannot measure how you feel as a government, but we are cognizant of the fact that you are going through a sacrificial window to help us reposition the state for the benefit of this generation and posterity.
We are learning from your reactions, criticisms and support. It is ensuring adequate feedback for improvement on our approach to governance as our major target is to reach Kogi indigenes in the best way that appeals to rationality and reason.
We thank you greatly for your painstaking support thus far. We will not take your pains and patience for granted, His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello has always been of this position.
As we are proud to serve you, we will not fail to recognize that you have all been outstanding citizens to the New Direction government. Our policies too serve as a pointer to appreciating this.
The 2017 Appropriation Bill (Budget of New Direction) is to lead a 66% capital budget expenditure to affect every nook and cranny of the State.
As it stands, Kogi State is not where it is expected to be; but carefully, steadily, and resolutely, we are are rising. The future is ours as it is glaring under the New Direction government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
We appreciate your suggestions. We implore you to keep them coming to reflect your responsibility as fantastic indigenes of Kogi State and citizens of Nigeria. It is your inalienable right. Because we know Kogites are strong, decent and intelligent people, we will prefer you to be civil and constructive in your criticisms so we can quickly adopt your suggestions. Destructive criticism is anti-progess; it’s anti-development. Constructive criticism is good for democracy. Let us close ranks to build a vibrant Kogi that will work for us all and posterity.
We wish you a fabulous weekend.
Remember, Kogi is Rising!”
Odaudu Joel Minister
is the Senior Special Assistant
to Kogi State Governor on New Media.
