By Farouk Ozigi Onimisi, Kogi.
Social amenities, or public amenities, refer to places, buildings or infrastructural facilities which are to be shared and to become convergence spots for the local and surrounding communities. It has become a basic necessity for villages and settlement areas to have well-built and complete social amenities for the benefit of the local and surrounding communities, so as to facilitate them in conducting social functions and activities, which in turn would help shape a united, harmonious, advanced, dynamic and progressive society.
Among the objectives of social amenities include: to guarantee balanced development between urban areas and rural areas in order to achieve the aim of growth with equity in line with the country’s urbanisation policy;
To ensure that village development programmes are implemented in a more integrated way, which includes programmes pertaining to infrastructural facilities, utilities, social amenities and human capital development;
To complement the systematic development of infrastructural, human and economic facilities in villages in order to attain a more effective outcome;
To enhance the elements of unity, teamwork and the spirit of tolerance among rural communities through the active use of social amenities;
To create a rural community that is united, proactive, resilient and capable of countering the spread of negative paradigms that would lead to division in society.
In modern times, the citizens demand from their leaders, basic social amenities that would not only guarantee their happiness and welfare but also promote the security and socio-economic development of the nation or state.
Reflecting on the dividends of nationhood, how has the provision of social infrastructure propelled economic development and growth of Ebiraland?
To be sure, by social infrastructure, I refer to such basic social amenities critical to human existence and societal growth as well as economic upliftment. They include good roads, waterways, housing, potable water, power, security and job creation.
Here is to you, some of the contributions of Engr. Abubakar Ohere to the development of Ebiraland in the few years he has surfaced in the political discourse of Ebira nation.
Recall that following the inauguration of Alh. Yahaya Bello as the 4th Executive Governor of Kogi State in early 2016, Engr. Ohere was appointed subsequently as Special Adviser, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. His magnificent effectiveness in the Ministry had him rising as Honourable Commissioner of same Ministry which many tagged Ministry of Happiness as at then.
Put succinctly, Ohere was able to awaken the dormancy in that Ministry thus, creating a Ministry that will stand the test of time through series of achievable and realised strategies.
The New Direction Government, no doubt, had three men of impeccable character front lining its channel, with Abubkar Ohere becoming the third foot soldier behind The White Oracle, Edward Onoja, with The White Lion, Yahaya Bello at the front.
If there be any moment of accountability in the political appointees of GYB-led administration especially on those during his first tenure, now is the time. How impactful have you impacted your senatorial district? Let’s forget about the office you held and now holding, a driver may excellently have great impact on his community if it dawned on him, conscience. This is not to talk about those elected as well.
Technology is a compulsive and addictive way to live. Verbal communication cannot be lost because of a lack of skill. The ability to listen and learn is key to mastering the art of communication. If you don’t use your verbal skills and networking, it will disappear rapidly.
I watched an online video by one Ebira entertainer cum activist named Hero Bright real name Hamza Umar demanding accountability of various political holders. A clip of the video said Ohere was only known for sharing vehicles and voluntarily giving out cash to aid individuals which he saw as mere fallacy. He charged him to invest more on public social amenities.
Personally, I commend Hero Bright. I appreciate him most sincerely recognising the social empowerment of Adayi Ohere. However, there was more to Ohere in the last four years unknown to Hero Bright and the media spate. This was because, Ohere ordinarily hated media show but has no choice this time around than putting his records open for better assessment.
As this piece bothers on Social Amenities of Engr. Abubakar Ohere in Ebiraland, emphasis will greatly be made upon his community projects in the following scopes:
Potable Water:
Ohere was not the Commissioner for Water Resources yet, understood portable water as a basic social amenity which has greatly witnessed the sufferings of Ebira nation in the decades before his ascension as one of her leaders.
In the scorecard of Engr. Abubakar Ohere, portable water has been provided for the Ebira people in most of the nooks and crannies of the society. Even in schools, Ohere Water Commission is on supply. Lennon Memorial College will bear me witness.
While supplying water resources to the good people of Ebira nation, Ohere practically discouraged the idea of being a citizen of Okene LGA thus making sure the project cuts across the senatorial district.
With Ohere water system, I have the belief that access to potable water in Kogi Central has increased to 68% from 38%. Though there are still work to be done in this regard if we can have just two more of Ohere here in Kogi Central. A man who understood the plight and agonies of Ebira and water issues.
Job Creation:
It is worthy of public interest that Engr. Abubakar Ohere has had in his name, job creation for Kogi Central Youths. This aspect is most sensitive. At national, state and local levels, Ohere has used his personality in creating long term and short term jobs for youths of his constituency. This again, is a fulfilled scope of social amenities.
Understanding what his constituency lacked, Ohere knew it was also needful for government to encourage and patronise local products through laws compelling government agencies and private sector to patronise locally produced goods to encourage local manufacturing and employment generation. This was realised by him once again thus discouraging Kogi State Government from seeking investment opportunities outside the State but to rather invest in Kogi state. Recall that Ohere was not the Labour Commissioner.
His educational scholarship scheme cuts across the 3 senatorial districts of Kogi state at undergraduate and postgraduate levels within and outside the country. At least, I know the one in Cairo and Cyprus. Yet all his children are schooling here in Nigeria.
Our youths on vocational studies equally got equipment supports to stay independent and thrive.
Housing:
When Ohere was elevated as Commissioner for Works and Housing in early 2020, many interpreted this appointment wrongly. Myself was almost carried away by the wrong impression of Engr. Ohere’s new status as Honourable Commissioner for Works and Housing. Immediately, I asked myself, if not the position of Ohere as Special Adviser and later Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, would we have known the impact of such Ministry? Put differently, what was the Ministry before GYB’s government?
It was Ohere who brought reform to the Traditional Institution; brought active participation among the Ministry’s staffers; created a transparent Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; brought a responsive Ministry; made the Ministry realised the rule of law and notwithstanding, impacted accountability, effective and efficient Ministry which will always stand the test of time.
This was what Ohere did in his first assignment. The New Direction Blueprint has been achieved. Whatever the new Commissioner of such Ministry would come with is a consolidation of Ohere’s footprint. The Let’s Do More season of GYB’s second tenure has Engr. Abubakar Ohere fitting in his Engineering Technocracy, a part he would surely deliver more than ever imagined.
In his personal achievement in the last four years, Ohere brought solace to various classrooms in Kogi Central. Was it the rehabilitation? Writing Materials? Effective classroom management? Have you been to Lennon Memorial College, Ageva? What about St. Andrew School, Idakoivo? to mention but few. A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hardwork.
I won’t forget the aid granted a handicapped old aged women whose roof were destroyed by heavy rainstorm. The pictures and videos attached to this write up are supporting evidence of all the stated personal achievements of Abubakar Ohere. Somewhere in Adavi Local Government Area, a street is now named Engr. Abubakar Ohere Street not to talk of a central mosque in his name.
Electricity:
At times, some achievements should be kept with one and God only. However, 21st century has chosen to run down individuals on social media except they are able to project some of their achievements on social media.
The power sector is one of the most important of all that moves the economy of any state, as low capacity utilisation in manufacturing industries resulting from inadequate power supply has led to closures and relocation of many industries to neighbouring states with more reliable power supply.
In addition to his profile, Engr. Abubakar Ohere has risen several communities in Ebiraland from darkness by providing transformers where necessary. Ohere no doubt showcased the rewarding system of governance. Don’t forget still, he was never elected yet has the above physical interventions on Ebira nation.
Road Networks: Ohere and Kogi State Government have recorded tremendous success in the restoration and modernisation of the state’s road network, which was achieved through the public-private partnership in road sector development designed to provide better and safer road. Yet, Ohere is striving greatly in his new portfolio as Honourable Commissioner for Works and Housing towards ensuring adequate expectations of the Let’s Do More required of him. We become what we think about most of the time and that is the strangest secret. Above are some of the physical impact of Engr. Abubakar Sadiq Ohere, the present Commissioner for works in Kogi State, who is from Central Region of the State.
