Ododo’s Welfarist Policies Reshape Lives Across Kogi State

Kogi State’s executive governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has been laser-focused since taking office in January 2024.

According to section 4(2)(b) of the 1999 constitution as amended, which states that “the primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of the people,” he has been dedicated to fulfilling the main duty of the state. The Nigerian Constitution expressly declares that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” which should be understood by everyone assuming political responsibility.

This clause highlights that protecting the security and welfare of the populace is the primary duty of the government.

In an effort to provide effective leadership, the Ododo administration in Kogi State has impacted every industry. Because of how well-liked he is by the public, campaigning for his second term has begun three years in advance.

He used every tactic at his disposal to deal with the issues that his workers were facing. “One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency,” says Arnold H. Glasow.

The governor has made great progress in that area.

He placed a high premium on security because he thinks that once the state is safe, the economy will grow.

In order to combat instability, the state administration recently embraced supporting development as a strategic, non-kinetic method.

Under Ododo’s direction, the State is making significant investments in vital infrastructure and agricultural empowerment to foster an atmosphere that prevents insecurity, according to Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, who made this announcement during a press briefing.

Fanwo stated, “We’re using agriculture as a weapon against insecurity, not just as a tool for food security.”

“We’re tackling poverty head-on and creating a safer, more productive society by enabling our young people and rural communities to farm and produce.”

The use of contemporary technology in the State’s security architecture was also emphasized by the Commissioner, who pointed out that early detection and quick response are already being impacted by surveillance systems, intelligence tools, and communication advancements.

Since assuming charge, the governor, who would rather be known as Kogi State’s chief servant, has been true to his Consolidation and Continuity Manifesto. Actually, he has been getting better at it all the time.

He hasn’t backed down from his pledge to guarantee that Kogi State’s citizens are fed. Keep in mind that Ododo emphasized the importance of Kogi becoming self-sufficient in food production both throughout his campaigns and in his inaugural address.

In light of this, the Kogi State administration recently reaffirmed its commitment to revolutionizing the state’s agricultural industry and raising farmers’ standard of living by signing the Food for Lagos collaboration, which it promised would benefit Kogi farmers.

Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, provided media with a press statement outlining the strategic actions already taken to realize the initiative’s economic potential.

Fanwo said that Governor Ododo has started taking tangible steps to increase food production, upgrade infrastructure, and draw high-value investments into the state’s agricultural sector less than two weeks after signing the historic deal with Lagos State.

The Commissioner also highlighted significant government-supported initiatives like ACReSAL (Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes), which is directing investments into rural farming communities, and RAAMP (Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project), which is assisting in the rehabilitation of rural roads to improve access to markets.

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Ododo’s emphasis on the health sector is particularly encouraging, and the administration’s numerous achievements demonstrate that the program is a landmark.

A group for the State Task Force on Primary Health Care Services was recently established by the governor.

The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Comrade Joel Salifu, urged the Committee’s members to collaborate in order to create a more robust and healthy Kogi State during the Committee’s inauguration in Lokoja.

Comrade Joel claims that the Committee’s formation is a daring step motivated by the current administration’s dedication to the welfare of the populace.

“We acknowledge that healthcare is an essential part of our state’s development and not just a social service.”

“We can improve health outcomes, lower mortality rates, and raise our people’s standard of living by fortifying our primary healthcare system.”

According to fresh 2023 statistics from StatiSense and EFInA, Kogi State recently became the best-performing state in Nigeria for adult insurance coverage, with 11% of its citizens enrolled. The state’s dedication to extending high-quality, reasonably priced healthcare is demonstrated by the fact that Kogi is ranked higher than Lagos (9%), Oyo (7%), and the Federal Capital Territory (6%).

The Kogi State Government’s N98.8 billion debt was paid off within 15 months of Ododo taking office, which was another significant accomplishment.

During a State Executive Council meeting, Mukadam Asiwaju Asiru Idris, the Commissioner of Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, provided a breakdown of the settled debts, including the fully paid and liquidated N5 billion Series 1 and N3 billion Series 2 bonds issued for infrastructure by the former Governor HE Idris Wada administration.

“The previous administration’s N50.8 billion salary bailout has been paid in full and liquidated. The ECA-backed infrastructure loan of N10 billion has been paid back and is now completely liquidated.

“The previous administration’s N15 billion infrastructure loan from Zenith Bank Plc has been completely repaid.

“The past administration’s N15 billion infrastructure debt from UBA PLC has been paid back and completely liquidated.

He claims that Kogi State’s long-term foreign-and local-currency issuer default ratings (IDRs) or credit ratings have been raised from “B-” to “B” by Fitch Ratings, which has a stable outlook. As of September 30, 2024, the state owes N40,530,792,606.34.

The governor attended the African Development Bank’s (AFDB) 2025 Annual Meeting in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to look for strategic funding for solid minerals, transportation, and agriculture in an effort to make Kogi an investment destination.

The state government’s dedication to strengthening ties with international financial institutions in order to draw in vital development funding that will unlock the state’s enormous economic potential and enhance the quality of life for its citizens is demonstrated by his attendance at the esteemed forum, where he was reportedly invited as a Special Guest of the Continental Development Finance Institution.

The Governor is working with AFDB leadership to obtain specific funding from a variety of the Bank’s specialized financing windows, with an emphasis on three strategic sectors: solid minerals, transportation infrastructure, especially the construction of a proposed airport in Kogi State, and agriculture, according to a press release issued by Commissioner for Information and Communications Kingsley Femi Fanwo.

The governor gave food to more than 1,000 widows in the state while reaffirming his commitment to the welfare of the state’s vulnerable in keeping with his campaign pledges. He also promised that the state’s widows’ hardships would not be forgotten and that he would not politicize their affairs.

A number of noteworthy accomplishments under Ododo’s administration demonstrated his ability to lead with vision.

According to Mr. Jude Ekem, a political expert who talked to our reporter, Kogi State is a perfect example of a place where government triumphs over politics.

“The governor’s performance is excellent. I have to commend him for putting the state’s government servants’ welfare first. He immediately disburses pensioners’ emoluments. Any successful government must take the welfare of its employees seriously.

Alhaji Mustapha Ahmed, a Kogi native living in Lagos State, told our reporter that every Kogi native should be proud of the governor due to the remarkable degree of progress occurring in Kogi.

As an Igala man, he insisted that Ododo’s administration has demonstrated that talent, not background, is what counts in governance. He emphasized that Ododo won’t need to run for office in 2027 since all Kogi indigenous people will support his reelection, allowing him to do the excellent work he is already doing.

We used to claim that it was the turn of this or that ethnic group, but Ododo has shown us that ability, not the governor’s background, is what counts. I’m Igala, but I have to say that if my brother runs against Ododo in 2027, I won’t back him since the governor is doing well and we should give him a chance to continue his good work. Take a look at our youth. Because of the governor’s involvement, they now have the chance to work independently. Civil servants are content. The elderly are content. Everyone is content.