Ododo Promises Joint Benue Communities In Kogi Land To Build Town Hall

By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
Government House,okoja
July 9, 2026

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has pledged to allocate a parcel of land to the Tiv, Idoma and Igede communities resident in the state for the construction of a joint town hall, as part of efforts to promote unity, peaceful coexistence and inclusiveness.

The governor made the pledge on Friday at the Government House in Lokoja while receiving leaders and members of the Benue communities living in Kogi.

Ododo said the proposed town hall would serve as a symbol of harmony among the three major ethnic groups from Benue State, urging them to harmonise their requests so that the state government could provide a single plot of land for the project.

He commended the Tiv , Idoma and Igede communities for their peaceful conduct and harmonious relationship with other residents of the state, describing them as hardworking people who have continued to contribute meaningfully to Kogi’s socio economic development.

According to the governor, the people of Benue are widely known for their industrious nature and ability to earn a living through legitimate means rather than waiting for white collar jobs.

He encouraged them to sustain that culture of hardwork and continue contributing to national development.

Ododo also praised the younger members of Benue communities for shunning criminal activities, noting that no indigene of Benue had been linked to recent cases of banditry and kidnapping in the state.

He urged them to remain law-abiding and resist attempts by criminal elements to recruit them into acts capable of threatening the peace and security of Kogi State.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to security, the governor declared that his government would neither negotiate with criminals nor surrender any part of the state to bandits or other violent groups.

Earlier, the Tor Tiv of Kogi State, Chief Chinov Moses, President of the Idoma Community, Chief Patrick Joe Frank Olotu, and National President of the Igede Community, Barrister Otowu Gabriel, commended the Ododo administration for its efforts in tackling insecurity and improving the economic well-being of residents.

The community leaders appealed to the governor to allocate land for the construction of their town hall, provide mobility support for their organisations among other requests.

They reaffirmed their loyalty to the Kogi State Government and pledged continued support for initiatives aimed at sustaining peace, security and development across the state.