By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
Government House, Lokoja.
May 12, 2026
The Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has charged youths in Okun land to embrace unity, economic self-determination and peaceful political participation as key pathways to sustainable development and prosperity in the state.
Governor Ododo gave the charge on Tuesday at the Government House in Lokoja during a meeting with the Okun Youths for Tinubu and Ododo, where he commended the youths of Okun kingdom for their steadfast support and commitment to the progress of Kogi State.
The Governor particularly appreciated leaders of the Okun kingdom for what he described as sincere and purposeful leadership that has continued to inspire the younger generation towards responsible engagement in governance and community development.
He also singled out John Nihi Oladele for commendation, applauding his contribution to the growth and advancement of his people.
Speaking passionately on the future of Okun land, Governor Ododo said the region possesses enormous economic potential, especially with the discovery of large deposits of lithium mineral resources.
According to him, the proper harnessing and local refining of lithium in the area could drastically reduce unemployment, insecurity and medical tourism while opening up new opportunities for economic prosperity.
“We are blessed, especially the Okun kingdom. Okun kingdom has been confirmed to have the largest volume of lithium. With unity, we can refine our own lithium and we would have ended unemployment, insecurity and medical tourism,” the Governor stated.
Governor Ododo stressed that the people of Kogi State must rise above division and embrace collective responsibility for development, insisting that the state is richly endowed with both human and natural resources.
“We were not born with hooligans, we were not born with thuggery. Let us work together to build a future that will help us forever,” he said.
The Governor further maintained that his administration would not impose candidates on any community ahead of future elections, noting that stakeholders would be allowed to determine their preferred aspirants through consensus and consultation.
Reaffirming his administration’s loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Ododo declared that Kogi State would work collectively to ensure massive support for the President in the next general election.
He warned that actions capable of undermining the political success of President Tinubu in the state would not be tolerated.
Governor Ododo also disclosed that his administration has already captured township and internal road projects across Okun land, assuring the people that the projects would be completed before the next general election.
Earlier in his remarks, the spokesperson of the Okun Youth Leaders, Comrade Seun Adebayo, praised President Tinubu for providing what he described as a level playing field for democratic participation across the country.
The group equally declared total support for the administration of Governor Ododo, insisting that his re-election remained “non-negotiable” owing to what they described as his developmental strides in Okun land.
They commended Governor Ododo for his continued investment in infrastructure, education and healthcare in Okun communities, while reaffirming their commitment to partnering with his administration in building a greater Kogi State.
