The 33 years anniversary of creation of Kogi State has been described as a double sided phenomenon with both positive achievements and areas begging for attentions.

Former Chairman, Yagba East Local Government Area and Personal Assistant to a member representing Yagba constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, Honourable Shola Ademola Samuel stated this in an interview with newsmen in Lokoja.

Honourable Ademola Samuel said political elites during the creation of the State envisaged equity, abundance, justice and unity which according to him are necessary ingredients for even development and peace.

He however emphasised that there is a whole lot to be done to actualise the dream due to realities on ground.

The former Yagba East Chairman said the state has not been able to tap into the economy and minerals resources for the benefit of the people.

He explained that some valuable mineral resources are plundered while some are untapped and those currently explored are selfishly manipulated against the interest of the people and the State.

His words ” For the fact that we are still united and still one today is to the glory of God and probably to the efforts of the founding fathers and prayers of the people of the State. We have not been able to tap the resources of Kogi State to the benefit of our people.

Our resources remained untapped, some are being plundered on daily basis especially our minerals resources.

The Ajaokuta Steel Company that is suppose to be an Eldorado for all of us is on a state of comatose. It is lying fallow and many other things like that. The Obajana cement factory that is even sited here today, I don’t think there is any advantage that Kogites can say is accruable to them.

They can’t beat their chest that they have gotten anything from that place. As expensive as cement is in Abuja, that is the same price you buy it here on Kogi where it is produced”.

He however expressed hope for a better tomorrow emphasising that the State needs to chart a new course in the aspect of politics.

The former Chairman expressed apprehension over the negligence of Kogi West in clicking the top job at the Lugard House, saying despite politics being a game of number, a whole Senatorial District should not be neglected since the creation of the state.

He urged politicians to lean from Enugu political scenario where equity is entrenched through rotational system.

He said the West should not be frustrated to be praying for Divine intervention the way the broke free, emphasizing that commonsense and absence of greed can solve complex and complicated issues.

The former chairman applauded the past military administrators of Kogi State including Afakriya, Anebo as well as democratically elected ones like late Prince Abubakar Audu, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, and the host of others for their transformational development.

Honourable Shola Ademola also rated the second tenure of Governor Yahaya Bello in the aspect of infrastructure and expressed hope that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo will accomplish better than his predecessors.

On the educational aspect, Gadaffi said the state should not pride herself on the numbers of varsities but development in the aspect of infrastructure, research and academic outputs and staff welfarism must be considered.

He however expressed hope in the Ododo led administration for both improvement in political and economic scenario.

On Honourable Leke Abejide’s performance at the Green Chamber, Gadaffi said the Law maker’s track records are visible for all to see.

He explained that Abejide who is currently the Chairman of the caucus at the House of Rep is working towards making sure Kogi is not shortchanged in the aspect of cooperate responsibilities from mining companies in the state.

He also described the recent verdict in favour of Ododo at the Apex Court as a decision to lay to rest all litigations and distractions and appealed to aggrieved politicians to close rank and wait till year 2027 to test their popularity