Kogi State Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo emphasized the importance of focusing on agricultural production rather than engaging in destructive street protests.
He highlighted that food security can only be achieved through conscious and deliberate efforts to produce enough food for ourselves and others.
During his address to All Progressive Congress (APC) stakeholders in Lokoja, Governor Ododo warned against individuals who promote violent protests, stating that they are acting against the interests of the nation.
He stressed that the key to ensuring an adequate food supply lies in proactive agricultural practices, not in disruptive demonstrations.
Governor Ododo urged all citizens to prioritize agricultural development as a means to guarantee food security for the nation.
He emphasized the need for unity and cooperation in working towards a common goal of self-sufficiency in food production. Full text of the speech:
TEXT OF A SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE CHIEF SERVANT OF KOGI STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY ALH. AHMED USMAN ODODO AT THE KOGI APC STAKEHOLDERS MEETING
Protocols.
1. It is with great honor that I welcome you to this all important meeting to enable the key Stakeholders of our dear party deliberate on the forthcoming council poll in the State.
2. The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) which is charged with the responsibility of organizing the election has blown the whistle for the commencement of the processes leading to the election. As an organized and democratic party that we are, it is pertinent for us to come together and brainstorm on how to win a free and fair election in line with our commitment to be fair to all.
3. Our administration with your support, has continued to deliver democracy dividends to the people of the State. We inherited a popular party from our predecessor and we are determined to even make it more popular and acceptable to the great people of Kogi State. We are making it increasingly unnecessary for anyone in Kogi State to choose any other party over the All Progressives Congress. The upcoming Local Government Poll offers another opportunity to gauge our public acceptance. My administration will encourage and empower KOSIEC to organize a free and fair election.
4. As a Democrat, I will listen to your position on matters that affect our dear party and our dear state. I am your messenger here and I promise to carry the message of our party to the people. We have empowered and still empowering thousands of our people; we have consistently given palliatives to cushion the effects of our national rebuilding process of poor households; we are investing billions into agriculture to guarantee food security and crash the cost of food in our dear state and Nigeria; we are upgrading Primary Healthcare Centres across the state to improve the quality of healthcare delivery at the grassroots; we are turning Kogi to a construction site with the reconstruction and rehabilitation of urban roads; we have released huge sums of money for township roads construction and rehabilitation across the Local Government Areas in the first phase of the rehabilitation project; we are also massively changing the faces of our higher institutions of learning; among many other life-touching projects, programs and policies.
5. Let me specially thank Mr President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his tremendous support to the sub-nationals to drive our nation from the perilous state he inherited. I call him the President for a time like this because without his experience, doggedness, expertise and will power, Nigeria would have sunk into more embarrassing situations. His infrastructural revolution across the country and the economic recovery incentives he has given us are the reasons we are shining today. Better days are ahead as the President has assured me of his commitment to the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Company. With Ajaokuta Steel Company working at full capacity, Nigeria will become one of the most prosperous nations in Africa.
6. As a State that is rich in mineral resources, we are also grateful to Mr President for making it possible for states to take part in the exploration of mineral resources through mining and economic interests that we are currently working on. His policies are tailored towards true federalism and Kogi is surely benefitting massively from those lofty policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
7. The President started the protest against the rot he met by working day and night to save Nigeria from economic hardship. He has also provoked all of us to put on our thinking caps to address the basic needs of the people. He has been a big advocate of us producing what we eat and eat what we produce. Food won’t come from street protests that are often hijacked to cause mayhem. Food will only come when we make conscious and deliberate efforts to produce enough for ourselves and others. Anyone canvassing for destructive protests at a time like this is an enemy of our nation.
8. I urge us all to support Mr. President. He has good plans for our nation and he is already implementing them. Magic won’t happen overnight. It takes patience, support and cooperation. We must all work with him to make our nation great. Those calling for protests now do not have the interest of Nigeria at heart. I am glad that Kogi is concentrating on development rather than politically motivated protest.
9. I have approved a Quarterly Ministerial Briefing by all my Commissioners and other top Government Officials to periodically give account of our stewardship. Accountability is the hallmark of our administration and the first one will be held in September to tell you what we have done so far. The Ministry of Information and Communications has been mandated to coordinate this in fulfillment of my promise to the people of Kogi State to always tell them what we are doing and also hear from them. I am a servant hired with your votes to serve you. I will not fail you.
10. I urge our party leaders and members to work together to ensure the constitution of our party is followed in the build up to the forthcoming council poll. Let us all work together to make our party shine again.
11. Thank you and God bless you all.
HE Ahmed Usman Ododo
The Chief Servant of Kogi State
23rd July, 2024.
