As Capt Idris Wada clocks two years in office,the working partnership that has existed between the governor and his deputy is heart warming and rewarding of a transformation agenda.
Without mincing words,it is now evidently clear that Kogi State is on a threshold of a new renaissance, aimed at unfolding the transformation agenda of Governor Idris Wada.
This were the words of Yomi Awoniyi, the State Deputy Governor spoken when he received a delegation of the management Team of the Nigerian Television Authority,Lokoja in the early part of 2013, precisely on 3rd January .
Since their inauguration and looking at the last two years,Awoniyi, Governor Idris Wada's Deputy's body language and action has remained tailored towards ensuring that he supports Capt Idris Wada in the actualization of his administration's transformation agenda.
It is a known fact that no development all over the world can take place in an atmosphere of insecurity. The efforts of Capt Idris Wada in crime prevention and control received so much boost in 2013 with the State Governor’s restated commitment to the continuous support to the Nigerian police force and other agencies in combating crime and criminality. This the Governor did through regular logistics support.
The promise to partner with security agencies was restated at a National summit on security challenges in Nigeria attended by Yomi Awoniyi on behalf of the State Governor.
That the state in 2013 witnessed relative peace and reduction in crime aptly epitomizes Capt Wada’s seriousness to making the State one of the most peaceful in the Country. Little wonder it became an investors delight in the year past.
Natural disaster come with a lot of pains to government and those affected. 2012 would remain remarkable in the history of Kogi State. It was the year that flood displaced 623,690 number of people. They were housed in 87 camps across the nine affected Local Government Areas.
Capt Wada’s administration did not rest on its oars until those displaced by the flood gathered the pieces of their lives last year.
In 2013, the roads, schools and other infrastructures affected by the flood were rehabilitated. The State government build 272 post flood housing unit, aimed at relocating those living at the shoreline. In all, Awoniyi, working with the State emergency management committee, as support to Capt Idris Wada, gave financial and other assistance to those affected on behalf of government.
One responsibility of government aside award of contract for projects that have direct bearing on the lives of its people, is to also ensure that the job is executed according to specification.
Project supervision by Capt Idris Wada in 2013 ensured that the projects he inherited where completed. Today the confluence Beach hotel, Confluence Stadium and the State Secretariat complex among other projects have been described as projects that have met all quality standards. While inspecting some state projects in the year under review, Awoniyi said the continuity initiative and project monitoring is a better way of managing scarce resources.
The commitment to ensure rice sufficiency in the country by 2015 by the wada and President GoodLuck Jonathan’s administration was described as total by Awoniyi.
Kogi State took the centre stage in the area of Agriculture in 2013.
The Deputy Governor, while flagging off the ceremony for the distribution of PADDY rice to farmers in Lokoja Kogi State, Said Wada’s Agricultural initiative is aimed at food sufficiency and diversification of the State’s economy.
The 2012 flood came with so much destruction. This was however turned to an advantage by Capt Idris Wada. Aside providing seeds, fertilizers to farmers who were badly affected by the flood, the State government cleared 6,500 hectares of cluster rice farmland under the FADAMA programme initiative that cost Government millions of naira. The end result was the Kogi accelerated rice, adjudged as one of the best in quality.
Towards making Kogi State take its pride of place in Cassava production, Yomi Awoniyi, was directed by Capt Wada to carry out a sensitization on the need to give up lands for the growth of the crop in the Okun area.
Today, the Alape crop processing zone has come to stay. It is expected that it would create jobs, the establishment of Agro allied industries and open up the State for Socio-Economic development.
So much was achieved in the health sector by the Wada administration. Kogi State won an award in the fight against polio in 2013. The Bill and Melinda gate foundation rated Kogi State first, in the fight against polio and other Child killer diseases in the North.
The success result the in health sector Awoniyi explained while flagging off the 3rd quarter campaign against polio eradication in Dekina, is Wada’s commitment to children in the State. He disclosed that Kogi State attained its present ratings following the commitment and provision of serious financial resources committed by Governor Wada in the fight to save the nation’s future leaders.
In the areas of rural health, Capt Wada’s rural health care delivery service is an award winning programme. Quarterly, people across the State get free medical attention. About 50,000 persons have so far being treated. All general hospitals in the State are to undergo rehabilitation this year.
The support to Traditional Rulers by the Capt Idris Wada’s administration in 2013 was wholesome. The traditional institution in Kogi State no doubt now enjoys a new lease of life. While receiving first class rulers from central district, traditional rulers in his office in 2013, Awoniyi assured that the Wada led administration will encourage them to effectively carry out the task of maintaining peace in their domain.
The coronation and presentation of staff of office to the Attah Igala, HRM Michael Ameh Oboni, the Ohimege of Koton-Karfe and the upgrading of several traditional stools in the State by Capt Idris Wada is an eloquent testimony of the place the Wada administration has for the traditional institution. The administration Awoniyi says would get an improvement in 2014.
A one day special prayer and fasting session was held by Kogi State pensioners for Capt Idris Wada. The pride of place Capt Wada attaches to pensioners in State remains unequal. This he has demonstrated through the monthly increase in their subvention for the payment of gratuity and pension. To show the love he had for them. The governor made an additional increase in their December 2013 allocation.
Awoniyi, while at the prayer session, organized by the State Pensioners, disclosed that despite the inherited pension and liability challenges by Capt Wada, he was confident that the Wada administration is optimistic to offset the liabilities when the finances of the State improves.
One area that will not go un-notice in 2013 is Capt Idris Wada’s effort in engaging youths in meaningful programmes that can transform their lives from dependency to that of self reliance.
Under the youth advancement programme about 5000 youths have been engaged.
At one of the closing ceremony of the training, Awoniyi commended Capt Idris Wada’s administration for creating employment and said the governor's commitment to the YAD4KOGI programme is an expression, not only of his belief in youths development, but a demonstration of a clear vision for a greater future for a succeeding generation.
On assumption of office, Capt Wada, disclosed that education would be placed in the front burner of his administration. Awoniyi, while receiving a delegation from the Association of African Universities, Accra Ghana, said Capt Wada’s idea of quality education in Kogi State is for education in the State to be comparable to those of other developed nation.
The renovation of primary schools across the State, building of hostels at the State University and Polytechnic, funding for the accreditation of courses in all tertiary institutions in the State, alongside payment of scholarship, bursary and WAEC fees for final year secondary school students, remains a landmark for the Wada’s administration. Awoniyi, at the visit by the AAA, Accra Ghana said the Governor has assured that he will not compromise on standard and quality of education.
One salient feature of the Capt Wada’s administration is the confidence it has earn in the minds of the international Communities, foreign and local investors as ten memorandum of understanding was signed by the Kogi State Government in 2013.
The memorandum of understanding which will no doubt place the State in a better stead, Awoniyi explained was made possible by the sincerity, transparency and commitment shown by the Wada led administration. Also while receiving the Nigerian representative of Korean international cooperative Agency (KOICA) who were in his office to seek ways of cooperation, Awoniyi, assured that the Wada’s administration will honour all its commitment in counterpart to organizations and agencies. This the administration has no doubt sustained.
Elected under the Peoples Democratic Party platform, Capt Wada with his achievements in all sectors has made the party the National Party and at the state proud. Speaking while receiving in audience the North central zone executives of the Party in 2013, Awoniyi, described Capt Wada as one who has made the party strong and united in the state. It is a known fact that the Capt Idris Wada’s leadership style has endanger peace among party members. His efforts to carry along other political parties, ensured that members of the conference of Nigerian political parties were given appointments as special Adviser, senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants.
The State in 2013 didn’t witness labour unrest. This was attributed to Capt Wada’s labour friendly administration. He provided listening ears and attention to the labour unions. Little wonder, the state Government had a cordial working relationship with the Nigerian Labour congress and other affiliate Unions.
Awoniyi, while receiving the Executive members of Academic staff union, Kogi State Polytechnic chapter in 2013, said the Wada led administration will strive to always improve on the welfare of its workers. The Deputy Governor in 2013, met with the NLC, and other trade union affiliates.
2013 witnessed the construction and rehabilitation of road by the Wada administration. Several Kilometers’ of road were constructed with Awoniyi, disclosing that the Wada administration will work toward making all State Roads motor able in 2014. The Deputy Governor gave the assurance when he received an audience the Zonal Director, Federal Road Management Agency, Engr. T.A Osayi and Engr. Kayode in his office in 2013.
According to Awoniyi, Wada’s attention on road is occasioned by the important role good road play in socio-economic well being of any society.
A loyal support no doubt was Awoniyi to his workaholic Boss, Capt. Wada. 2013 may have come with all its challenges, the perfect combination of a boss and his assistant made the task of governance so easy with the result showing in all sectors.
The administration of Capt Idris Wada has within two years covered lot of milestone. This can be summed up as a painstaking effort of Capt Wada, working with a loyal deputy and a well assembled team of professionals, technocrats and politicians to achieve result.
In summary with the State workforce accorded topmost priority, and a conscious efforts to improve all sectors of the economy, it is not out of place to say that the Wada/Awoniyi partnership, will no doubt propel the State to greater heights in the years ahead.
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