By Joshua Adinoyi, Lokoja
It was like a triumphant entry to the two Communities as Her Excellency, Hajia Rasheedat Bello was received amidst jubilation by the dwellers of the two Communities.
Women, youths including the elderly rolled out drums, singing and dancing to their various local beats ad they welcome the Governor’s wife to the Area.
The First Lady, Hajia Rasheedat Bello, while commissioning the 500 KVA transformers at Ijoho/Gbaude and Ohono Communities, Oworo Ward in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State said it was in fulfilment of the campaign promise she made to the people of the Area.
The First Lady pointed out that the State government under the leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, was committed to the well being of the people at the grassroots as well as the entire people of the Confluence State, stressing that the transformers provided was part of efforts to electrify rural Areas across the State.
“During our campaign, I promised the people of the two Communities that I was going to provide them with transformers because the traditional rulers told me that light is the major challenge they are faced with and we all know the importance of electricity in our society today. Not quite long God helped us and we delivered the transformers to them and today the people of the two Communities have been enjoying it. We’ve not had the opportunity to commission the project as such, the opportunity we had today, we seized it to commission the projects. We’ve just started, we are going to do more for the people at the grassroots across Kogi State”
Speaking on the ‘Atuluse’ Chieftaincy title conferred on her, Hajia Rasheedat Bello expressed gratitude to the Community for the honor and promised her continuous support to the people of the Area.
“I am grateful to Ijoho/Gbaude Community for conferring a Chieftaincy title on me as the Atuluse (Community Developer) of Ijoho/Gbaude land. I feel very honoured and I thank our traditional rulers and the people of this Community for finding me worthy of this Chieftaincy title. We will continue to do our best to see to the development of all sectors of this Community as God helps us”
Her Excellency, Hajia Rasheedat Bello also promised to sunk boreholes in the some Communities in the Area in no distant time to enable the dwellers have access to portable water.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman, Lokoja Local Government Area, Hon. Dansabe Muhammed, described the gesture of the First Lady as unprecedented and appreciated her for bringing to an end the long ailing light challenge the Area was faced with.
“Today we’ve seen Her Excellency, Hajia Rasheedat Bello following the New Direction footsteps of our Boss, the Governor of the talakawas, by bring light to the darkness that has prevailed over this community for long. She made the promise during campaign and before we blinked our eyes, she fulfilled her promise. What she came to do today is just the official commissioning of the laudable projects because she has fulfilled it long ago. We are super happy that today we have “Talk And Do” First Lady in the State, we are grateful and we will forever remain grateful”
Hon. Dansabe enjoined the people of the Area to remain committed to the call on the Governor to contest for the 2023 Presidential seat, and prayed God to grant the wish of the common men across the Country by turning GYB2PYB to enable Nigerians enjoy the impact of a youthful, purposeful and committed Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello.
“Your Excellency, you are the First Lady of the Confluence State today, it is our prayer that by 2023, you will be called Nigeria’s First Lady (amin). We know the capacity of our mentor and we believe he can deliver the needed results in Nigeria and Insha Allah, he will be enthroned as the President of this Country come 2023 (amin)”
In an interview with the Special Adviser to the Governor on Job Creation and SME’s Development, Hon. Danladi Suleiman Aguye, he pointed out the Her Excellency’s visit to the Area was first of its kind in the history of the Area, stressing that the transformers provided have been serving the people of the Area well.
Hon. Aguye commended the First Lady for her kind gesture towards the people of the grassroots, promising the unalloyed support of the people at all times.
“Today is one of my happiest day because in the history of Kogi State, this is the first time that the people of the grassroots are been recognized by a First Lady by fulfilling promises made to them during campaigns. Her Excellency, Hajia Rasheedat Bello has written her name in gold in the heart of the people of these Communities through this gesture. It is our prayers that Almighty Allah will continue to guide, strengthen and direct her on what to do per time. Honestly, we lack words to appreciate you. I am so sure that the promise she has made again to provide the people with portable water will be a reality as soon as possible because she has done it before and she will do it again”
Hon. Aguye expressed optimism that with the local security outfits in the Area, the transformers are safe, calling on the people to report any suspicious moves to security agents for the safety of the property.
The Chairman, Kogi Local Government Area, Hon. Abdulkareem Ekomog who was also present at the event praised Her Excellency, Hajia Rasheedat Bello for her kind gesture, stressing that the transformers provided has in no small measure helped artisans in the Area go about you their businesses without stress.
Dignitaries from within and outside the Area, including the SSA to Her Excellency on Women/Children Affairs, Mrs. Sandra Musa, accompanied the First Lady to the commissioning ceremony.
Photo Credit: iDream Photography
