Ogugu Ward 3 APC Councilor Hopeful Abutu Samuel Hails Ododo at 2-Year in office, Cheers Youth Empowerment
By Yahaya Idris, Lokoja
All Progressives Congress, APC, councillorship candidate for Ogugu Ward in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, has extended hearty congratulations to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo as he marks two years in office, praising his administration’s unwavering commitment to youth inclusiveness and empowerment.
Hon. Abutu Samuel, the APC councilorship candidate for Ogugu Ward 3 in Olamaboro LGA, described the governor’s leadership as a beacon of hope for the state’s youthful population, particularly in rural communities like Olamaboro, where unemployment and limited opportunities have long posed significant challenges.
In a statement signed personally by Hon. Samuel Abutu and made available to our correspondent on Tuesday, the politician highlighted how Governor Ododo’s proactive policies have transformed the narrative of youth marginalization, positioning young people at the forefront of governance and development initiatives across Kogi State.
Governor Ododo, who assumed office on January 27, 2024, following a keenly contested election, has made youth empowerment a cornerstone of his administration’s agenda, establishing the Office of Youths and Sports Development as a pivotal arm for driving transformative programs.
Hon. Abutu Samuel specifically commended the tireless efforts of this office in rolling out initiatives tailored to the needs of Kogi’s vibrant youth demographic, with Olamaboro Local Government Area emerging as a prime beneficiary.
Programs such as skills acquisition training, entrepreneurial grants, and sports development schemes have reportedly empowered thousands of young people, enabling them to become self-reliant contributors to the state’s economy rather than remaining idle or migrating to urban centers in search of opportunities.
Samuel Abutu noted that these interventions have fostered a sense of belonging among the youth, particularly in Ogugu Ward 3 and surrounding areas, where agriculture and petty trading dominate but lack the necessary support structures for growth.
The governor’s approach, Samuel emphasized, aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda at the national level, adapting it effectively to Kogi’s peculiar socio-economic realities and promoting unity across ethnic divides in a state known for its diverse population.
As a councillorship candidate under the All Progressives Congress (APC), the same platform as Governor Ododo, Samuel’s endorsement reinforces the party’s stronghold in the area ahead of the local government elections scheduled for later this year.
He expressed profound gratitude for the governor’s dedication, recounting personal anecdotes from constituents who have directly benefited from empowerment schemes, such as vocational training in digital skills and agricultural mechanization that have boosted local farming outputs.
Samuel urged other youth leaders to emulate the governor’s inclusive model, positioning Ododo as a pacesetter whose two-year tenure has already laid a solid foundation for sustainable development.
