Governorship Ticket
As Kogi State celebrates its 30 years of existence, the people of Okun in Kogi State under the umbrella of Okun Development Association (ODA) have lauded the state Governor, Yahaya Bello, for uniting all ethnic groups in the state.
The group also congratulated the governor on the 30th anniversary of the state, praying that God should grant him the wisdom and good health to lead the state to the zenith.
The group, however, noted that as the state celebrates its 30 years of existence, it was important to state that Okun still lacked major infrastructural development, calling on the state government to do the needful.
ODA in a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday by its President-General, Femi Mokikan, noted that prior to Bello assumption of office as the governor of the state, the Okun people were the most marginalised major ethnic group in the state in the area of employment, appointment, project execution among others.
“But on assumption of office, the governor introduced a policy known as ‘Ebigo Agenda’, meaning Ebira, Igala, and Okun agenda, which is primarily to promote unity and oneness of the government and people of Kogi State with the sole aim of portraying the interest of the state first above individual or selfish interest.
“Without an iota of doubt, the Ebigo Agenda is commendable and one of the best moves of the New Direction Government of Bello as it has confirmed that Kogi State belongs to all-Igalas, Ebiras, and Okuns-as against the claims of some quarters in the past.
“Worthy of note also is the institutionalisation of this agenda in the area of appointments (both civil service and political), allocation and execution of projects. This is why Okun people will continue to be grateful to the state governor, for the establishment of one of largest Rice Mill in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area.”
Mokikan also praised the governor for his works in the health sector, adding: “We are glad about the ongoing construction work at Isanlu General Hospital in Yagba East LGA, while the rehabilitation of the Kabba township road is no doubt a step in the right direction.
“However, as the state celebrates its 30 years of creation, it important to state that Okun is lacking behind as it is the only area in the state without a university as the East has the Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba while the Central has the New Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara.
“This is why we’re appealing to the state government to as a matter of fact establish a university in Okun land to justify the equity, fairness and justice that form the mantras of the present administration.”
The group also appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently sign into law the bill establishing the Federal University of Agriculture, Kabba, as it was done for some states in Nigeria recently.
It added: “We implore our people in Kabba-Bunu, Ijumu, Mopa/Amuro, Yagba East and West LGAs as well as Oworo land to come out en masse and participate in the voters’ registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“We call on our people in Diaspora to motivate their children of 18 years and above to register for their PVCs at their respective LGAs. This is because we need to increase our voting strength.”
On the 2023 governorship election, the Okun people stated that for the purpose of equity, fairness, and justice, it was high time Okun land and Kogi West presented the next governor of the state.
“As a matter of fact, the Igalas have produced three different governors namely: Late Prince Abubakar Audu, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, and Captain Idris Ichala Wada, while Ebiras are presently occupying the Lugard House for the second term.
“So for the Ebigo Agenda of this administration to be institutionalised for even posterity sake, the next gubernatorial candidate should be zoned to Kogi West. By so doing, Governor Bello will leave a legacy of unity that informed the introduction of the Ebira, Igala, and Okun agenda,” the group said.
