IDRIS AHMED, LOKOJA.
Commissioners of Information in the States controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) states have been urged to disseminate to Nigerians achievements of the New Direction administration led by Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello since he assumed office 7 years ago.
Kogi state Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja, represented the Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, at the opening session of the meeting of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, State Commissioners of Information and Media and Communications Steering Committee held on Thursday at the Government House, Lokoja.
Governor Bello who expressed gratitude to the visiting Commissioners also urged them to inform their Principals of the numerous projects they verified in the state as seeing is believing.
“Go back with the good news against what other state governors were hearing, we are doing well in Kogi. His Excellency has approved that you should visit some sites of the Legacy Projects that affect human life.” The Deputy Governor said.
He explained that on assumption of office, education and health topped the thematic areas of his administration, expressing happiness with the establishment of the Confluence University of Science and Technology Osara, which was achieved in a depressed economy, that underscores his priority in education.
The Governor further stated that his administration did not give in to the negative impact of COVID-19 that weighed down the State, announced that the State now has seven world class health facilities spread across the State.
He particularly mentioned the Okene reference Hospital, as one of the best Hospitals in Northern Nigeria today, as well as the remodeling and renovation of the Specialists Hospital in Lokoja.
On assumption of office, he promised to serve the state diligently without fear or favour, with hope of breaking the jinx where class strata, religious, ethnic differences were the order of the day.
He expressed happiness that the people of Kogi State now see themselves as one and united for progress and development.
The Governor said he promised to manage Kogi’s resources prudently for the good of the people, which has created awareness that governance should be a collective of the people.
Women in the state are not left out as the administration’s policy on gender has attained the 35% woman affirmative action in appointment in his administration and is heading towards 40%.
According to the Governor, the Secretary to Kogi state government, and the Head of Service are women, while in the 21 LGAs women have been elected as Vice Chairpersons and Council Leaders.
Gov. Bello explained that with the signing of the disability bill into law and the establishment of the disability Commission, people with disabilities are now made to run their commission, an inclusive representation, achieved by his administration, with people described as disabled now able at the helms of affairs
Gov. Bello urged the Participants to take a critical look into the two prototype bills before them; a bill for social media crimes Law 2022, and Livestock Management Agency for the purpose of Animal Identification, traceability, registration and for other related matters thereto law, pointing out that the bills if in place have the propensity to create peace and peaceful coexistence amongst the citizens of the country.
In His welcome address, the Host Commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo charged the Information Commissioners to play their roles as the custodian of information and communication in their respective states.
“Despite the fact that we are not part of the Presidential Campaign council, we are still going to play our parts in the Information Management and ensure that our Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerges as the winner.” Kinsley Fanwo remarked.
In His remark, the Director General of the Progressive Governors Forum, Mr Folorunsho Aluko thanked the Governor for the hospitality shown to the commission
