Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, on Tuesday commissioned the newly completed 7.7-kilometre Gande-Male-Gwahitto-Fako Road in Sokoto State, praising the initiative as a bold testament to people-focused leadership and responsive governance under the administration of Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto.
The road project, executed at a cost of ₦2.2 billion through a partnership between the Sokoto State Government and the World Bank, cuts across Silame and Binji Local Government Areas. It is expected to boost agricultural productivity by connecting rural communities to markets and easing movement across the state’s agricultural corridors.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Ododo commended Governor Aliyu for prioritizing infrastructure and rural development, describing the road project as more than just an access route, but “a lifeline for farmers, traders, and communities who now have direct access to economic opportunities.”
“You are not just building roads; you are opening up possibilities, reconnecting people to prosperity, and laying a solid foundation for inclusive growth,” Ododo said. “You are busy constructing, not campaigning. And the people of Sokoto will remember this.”
The commissioning ceremony, which was followed by the groundbreaking of a 500-unit housing estate in the state capital, drew a high-profile audience, including traditional leaders, government officials, and community stakeholders.
In his speech, the Governor of Sokoto State, His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, expressed gratitude to the people of the state for their continued support and trust, reaffirming his commitment to fulfilling every campaign promise.
“The Gande-Male-Gwahitto-Fako Road is another promise kept,” Governor Aliyu said. “This project is part of our administration’s broader vision to drive development to rural areas and ensure no community is left behind.”
He described the road as a key part of his infrastructure agenda, adding that the collaborative funding with the World Bank reflects his administration’s commitment to transparency and partnership for sustainable development. He also acknowledged the cooperation of the benefiting communities during the course of the project’s execution.
Governor Aliyu thanked Governor Ododo for accepting the invitation to commission the project, saying his presence underscored the unity and collaboration between states under the progressive banner of the APC.
In his royal remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, lauded Governor Aliyu for what he called “laudable and people-centred projects,” calling on residents to continue to support the administration. He also urged stronger inter-state collaboration, particularly between Sokoto and Kogi, to open up agricultural corridors and improve market access for farmers.
Governor Ododo also used the occasion to pay tribute to former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, calling him a “father, mentor, and nationalist” whose political foresight and unwavering support for Governor Aliyu continues to yield dividends for the people of the state.
He further commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for creating the macroeconomic environment that enables state governments to implement impactful capital projects, noting that both the road and housing projects are symbols of “a new era of infrastructure delivery driven by purposeful national leadership.”
Governor Ododo then officially commissioned the 7.7km, describing the day as “a celebration of visionary leadership, inter-state collaboration, and the triumph of good governance.”
