KOGI STATE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFORMATION
– THE IMPERATIVES OF UNITY AND JUSTICE
Presented by:
Prof. John Olatunji Alabi PhD, FNIM, FCEnt, FCAI, FCSBE, CNA
1.0 PREAMBLE/COURTESIES
The esteemed Chairman, Your Excellency, Distinguished Academicians, Political
Heavy Weights, Business Gurus, seasoned Professionals, Media Giants,
Traditional Fathers, my lords Temporal and Spiritual, the Security Agencies, Astute Technocrats, Vibrant non-State Actors, great Women Leaders, dynamic Youth Mobilizers, Enterprising and patient Kogites (in the public and private sectors space), gentlemen of the pen fraternity (the gate keepers), ladies and gentlemen.
Let me begin this presentation by thanking the Almighty God for the grace to be here today and at this special occasion of the 33rd Anniversary of creation of our dear Confluence State. The 30th Anniversary on August 27, 2021 would have been my last, but thank God, I’m alive today. My special appreciation also goes to my friend and brother, a humble and consummate journalist/publisher of Nigeria Post Newspaper, Comrade Michael Abu for this invite to Guest-Speak today. It is indeed an honour and great privilege to mount the rostrum amongst the very many distinguished, respected elders, senior colleagues and contemporaries from the Academia, Business and Professional sectors to discuss a subject that I have been and still passionate about – the KOGI STATE PROJECT, the House that was divinely established on August 27, 1991.
Talking about Kogi State Socio-Economic Transformation and the Imperative of Unity and Justice, I do not rely on any Solomonic wisdom or academic or professional prowess, nor hope to present any “God Almighty Grand Unified Theory/Thesis (GAGUT) on the theme/topic for my short discuss. What I choose to do simply is to identify the critical issues in development/transformation, briefly historicize the Kogi State journey (ups and downs), opinionate on best strategies for fostering unity for sustainable development and prognosticate and/or recommend next possible steps for achieving my dream hope for the State as – “the Middle Belt and Nigerian Industrial Giant” at the 40th Anniversary celebration come 2031 (Kogi Agenda 2031).
2.0 INTRODUCTION
Kogi State @ 33, come August 27, 2024 (so what?), may well be the next feasible and strategic focus for all Kogites and the leaders now. Given our checkered history and the plethora of unrealized dreams/hopes, untapped potentials and missed opportunities witnessed in the past three (3) decades of the State’s creation, and the current global, national and peculiar socio-economic quagmire and political realities confronting us as a geographical unit and people, an urgent need for re-engineering, re-booting and re-strategizing our socio-political and economic apparatus has become imperative. There is no better time and occasion to do this self-assessment and appraisal than NOW – a unique age of 33 years.
Our dear Confluence State is unique with several characteristics, a population of about 4.0 million (active/youthful), harmonious co-existence, geographically advantaged – confluence of two (2) rivers, centrality, gateway to 17 States, proximity to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), dynamic/resource manpower and sleeping industrial base of the nation – ASCO, NIOMPCO, Dangote Cement and NIPP I & II, Agricultural/Food basket, Solid minerals deposit (occurrence and diverse) and Tourism and historical significance amongst several others. However, the real question is, how best have we unlock these strengths, opportunities and potentials to the advantage of our teeming poor populace?
As soon as I became able to read as a child in the ancient city of Lokoja in the 60s, I read that Nigeria is a 3rd World country, latter underdeveloped country and latter developing country. In the same vein, I have continue to read the description of Kogi State as a less-developed or developing State since its creation in 1991, up till June 2024, according to NBS statistics and 2023 World Bank/UNDP classifications.
3.0 KOGI STATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT MATRIX
Charity, they say begins at home, let us beam the searchlight on our dear Confluence State and x-ray briefly our status in the Committee of States, where we are, where we should be and why we are at the current status, etc.
Basic Statistics/Facts:
Creation and Age – 1991 (33 years/396 months old)
Land Area – 29.837km and Population – 3.3m (2006)/4.5m (2022); 13th largest in area and 20th most populous in Nigeria.
Federal Allocation plus VAT – (Monthly Average) – N5.0b (2012)
Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) – Dismally low/poor (average – 15-20%) Economic Indicators:
– Poverty – 67.1%, Unemployment – 17% (2022), GDP – $23.88 billion, GDP per Capital $4,593 (2022), Debt burden – N? (2023) Natural Resources:
– 20 Major Solid Minerals, 10 Major Food Crops, 340 Small & Medium Scale Enterprises, Several Tourism Potentials, Confluence of 2 Great Rivers and Gateway to North & South
Human Resource Endowment – Home of Intelligentsias, Hardworking, Hospitable and Resilient People (Youth and Adult), Peaceful Environment, etc. * The list seems endless, but potentials are not just enough (lets walk the talk, and talk the walk)
Our Potentials and Opportunities
The young State has the potentials to become the Industrial Giant of the Middle Belt, and the hub for Nigeria’s technological take off, through abundant resources, which it pleased the Almighty to deposit in our soil. Our strength and potential for greatness lies in the following:
• Abundant Agricultural resources such as food crops and cash crops produce for export and foreign exchange earnings as yam, cassava, cashew, benniseed, coffee, cocoa, etc.
• Solid mineral resources deposit in Kogi State is the largest in the country. These include Coal, Limestone, Marble, Feldspar, Clay, Kaolin, Ion Ore, Cassiterite, Columbite, Tantalite, Gold, Gems, ornamental stones, Quartz, Talc, Mica and Crude Oil. All of these are yet to be tapped or developed to the benefit of the State.
• Human resources endowment the State is blessed with a basket of professionals, in different fields of endeavour making waves in their professions in the State, within the country and even internationally.
• Geographical locational advantage cannot be over-looked. Kogi’s proximity to the Federal Capital and its being the Confluence of the two great rivers is of strategic importance. Kogi equally is the home of the largest steel complex in Africa, the 2nd largest cement factory in Africa and it is a gateway to Northern Nigeria, South East as well as South West of the Country.
Where We Ought to Be
After about 33 years of creation, Kogi State, given its resource endowment and the several billion of allocations received in the last 400 months, should proudly have been able to showcase (at the least) the following among others:
Existence of functional infrastructural facilities in all LGA headquarters and major towns/villages of the State such as potable Water Supply, Electricity, Cottage Hospitals/Clinics, equipped Primary/Secondary Schools, Telephone network to all LGA headquarters, etc.
Existence of functional cottage industries with locally sourced raw materials content in all LGA Council headquarters.
Functional and autonomous State-owned Universities and Polytechnics fully equipped and running 21st century specialized programmes that are fully accredited courses at Higher, Ordinary and Post-Graduate levels.
A functional/fully equipped State-owned Broadcasting Radio Station with 18 hours service (at least), with signals widely and clearly received throughout the State and in the adjourning States.
A State-owned widely circulated Newspaper complemented by a wellequipped state of the art, Government Printing Press, fully commercialized.
A well-stocked and state-of-the-art State Library in each Senatorial District of the State, in a digital competitive age.
Functional Tourist Centres and Sites from the various Colonial relics dotting the length and breadth of the State e.g. Confluence of River Niger and Benue, Fishing Festivals, Ovia-Sese International Cultural Festival, Mount Patti resorts, etc.
A functional, integrated and reliable water and water reticulation scheme for the State capital and major senatorial towns.
Establishment of 3 Industrial Layouts or Centres in the 3 Senatorial Districts with full infrastructural facilities for prospective investors.
Affordable and habitable housing and accessible housing delivery scheme to citizenry.
Accessible and motorable road network to all LGA headquarters and major towns all year round.
Establishment and operation of public-private owned solid mineral processing and marketing industry in each Senatorial District of the State e.g. Cement factory, Coal industry, Quartz factory, etc.
Existence and operation of student educational financing programme (scholarship scheme).
Construction of a standard but well-equipped Stadium complex at the State Capital.
A functional family/children recreation centres at the State capital and in the 3 Senatorial Districts.
Modern waste disposal and waste recycling scheme and the operation of Septic Tanks/Vehicles for evacuation and disposal of liquid and solid wastes.
Healthy inter-tribal and socio-cultural alignment and mutual trust among the citizens (deliberate and intentional programmes/efforts).
Political power rotation and transition among the 3 Senatorial zones, e.g. the office of the Governor and Chairman of LGA amongst the districts.
The list is not exhaustive but modest essentials. These will help in positioning the State to face its critical developmental challenges.
Reasons for Our Poor Status
In the past 33 years since creation of Kogi State, we have had the “fortunes and misfortunes” of some Chief Executives (civilian or military) that have resulted in:
• Monumental loss of opportunities
• Unrealized dreams/goals. Both of which resulted from a combination of some factors namely:
– Bad leadership by our past Chief Executives
– Corrupt political class and elite collaborators
– Docile followership and unconcerned followers/citizenry
– Ineffective and corrupt administrative system, which encourages corruption
• The concomitance of the above situation among others include:
– General disillusionment on the part of the followers, evidenced by leaders inability to win the trust of followers
– Low level of concrete socio-economic developments
– General infrastructural decay and/or collapse
– General mistrust and suspicion of leaders by the followers.
Ironically, some allude to the fact that, KOGI STATE IS RICH BUT ITS PEOPLE ARE POOR! One can rightly assert that, Kogi State is indeed a blessed entity and undoubtedly an investors’ haven, with multiplicity of potentials that either underdeveloped, developing or some awaiting to be exploited in several sectors like Agriculture, Youth Development, SMEs/Industries, Solid Minerals, Tourism and Hospitality, Infrastructure/Social Services, Education/ICT, Transportation and Blue Economy, Alternative Power Generation, to mention just a few.
4.0 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND THE IMPERATIVE OF UNITY AND JUSTICE
“Unity and Justice for Development” is a great phrases, and “Unity and Justice” is actually a part of Nigeria’s national motto, which is “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress”. Unity and Justice are essential components for achieving sustainable development in any society. When people come together in unity, they can share ideas, resources and expertise to drive progress. Justice in a State ensures that everyone has equal opportunity to contribute and benefit from the development process.
In Nigeria context and Kogi State in particular, unity and justice can help address socio-economic challenges, promote inclusive growth and foster sense of pride. Thus, sustainable development would be a mirage where there is no unity amongst the constituent parts and there can be no unity where injustice reigns supreme. This has been one of the cogs in the development trajectory and journey in Kogi State since creation.
The renewed call for unity, equity and fairness among the various tribes, districts and zones in the State particularly in the last decade have thus become important, particularly in the areas of political power rotation, economic resources distribution and sharing of political and public service appointments and positions.
My Chairman, Your Excellency, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, some globally accepted best practices and strategies for promoting unity in diversity, so that the “KOGI STATE PROJECT – (THIS HOUSE)” should not fall but stand and wax strong includes the following:
1. Encourage open dialogue by fostering culture of active listening and respectful conversation
2. Celebrate diverse cultures through promotion of events and activities that showcase different traditions and customs
3. Promote inclusive education through the teaching of history, language and cultural studies that reflects diverse perspectives/peculiarities
4. Foster a sense of shared identity by emphasizing common values and goals that unites the people across differences
5. Address systematic and perceived inequalities by eliminating biases and discriminations in institutions and policies
6. Encourage diverse representation by ensuring diverse voices are represented in leadership and decision-making positions
7. Build bridges of unity through shared activities such as community services, sports or projects/events that brings people together
8. Practice empathy and understanding by encouraging people to walk in others’ shoes and see things from their perspectives
9. Address conflicts constructively. This can be achieved by establishing mechanism for resolving conflicts in a fair and respectful manner
10. Leading by example is key. Leaders and influencers in the State and localities should model inclusive behavior and promote unity in their actions and words.
It should however be noted that, unity in diversity in a State with several tribal or ethnic differences is a continuous process that requires intentional efforts and commitments from individuals and groups. It must be worked for and earned.
By God’s grace, I have been a keen observer of political and socio-economic development and activities in the State since 1993, shortly after its creation and have come to the firm conclusion (and this is supported by several studies), that one of the most important hindrance to sustainable growth in our dear State is the “Lack of a Uniting Vision and Leadership”. I submit that, there has not been a “compelling State’s Vision that energizes and mobilizes Kogites to pursue stated economic destination or defined direction sustainably and strategically”. We have had series of development planning initiatives and programmes aimed at jump-starting, growing or leap-frogging the State along certain objectives but often short-lived after changes in leadership with no clear vision or unity of purpose on our strategic destination.
Notable of such programmes, initiatives or schemes include: –
Kogi State Economic Blueprint (at creation): 1991/1991
Kogi State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategies (KOSEEDS): 2004-2007
Kogi State Special Project Intervention Scheme (SPIS): 2008-2010
Kogi State Transformation Agenda (KTA): 2012-2016
Kogi State New Direction Blueprint: 2016-2024
These development blueprints robustly designed and flamboyantly launched, though well-intentioned, were mostly poorly implemented arising from combination of factors such as – lack of political will, politicization, administrative bureaucracy, non-inclusiveness, attitudinal problem, resource limitation, disunity/ethnicity issues, corruption in contracting and procurement amongst several others.
5.0 TOWARDS A NEW KOGI STATE AT 40 (AGENDA 2031)
– Way Forward
Let me at this juncture acknowledge most sincerely the efforts of all Kogi State founding fathers (dead or alive), too numerous to mention here and the modest efforts of past Chief Executives and Excellencies from Col. Danladi Zakari, Col. Anniebo, Col. Paul Omeruo, Col. Zigu Afakriya, Prince Abubakar Audu, Alh. Idris Ibrahim, Chief Clarence Olafemi, Captain Idris Wada and Alh. Yahaya Bello, in building on the Kogi State Project House.
However going forward, in a volatile, uncertain, competitive, aggressive and digital global environment, there is the need to think outside the box (or even think outside the building) in our collective efforts at strategic transformation of the State into industrial giant of the nation, given our great and abundant but yet untapped potentials.
I recommend the following suggestions for our journey to 2031 (Kogi @ 40) in the context of the current Advanced New Direction Blueprint of His Excellency, Alh. Usman Ahmed Ododo:
Good, honest and dedicated leaders (political/elite class) urgently desired
Change in the mindset of all Kogites, attitudinal change and moral re-orientation by the followers
Fight corruption in all its ramifications (in high and low places) through adequate reward systems, justice and fairness, and punishment of offenders
Design an articulate people-oriented and attainable plans and targets
Ensure policy consistency and commitment to effective plan implementation
Institute and enforce culture of accountability, honesty, due process and transparency in governance, administration as well as in private lives
Build bridges of unity and mutual trust/understanding amongst all tribes, religions and political divides
Invest massively in infrastructural rejuvenation and development e.g. roads, water and electricity
Attract private local and foreign investors into industrial/commercial activities through joint ventures, and public-private partnership by creating the enabling environment for private sector investment initiatives e.g. land provision, industrial layouts, tax incentives and other reliefs
Accommodate public opinions, divergent views and consult widely on public policies
Articulate a 6-year broad-based participatory, people-oriented, political, economic, socio-economic and technological development agenda for Kogi State, with a yearly periodic review exercise, to be used as a vehicle for achieving the SDGs’ target by 2030, from the current 32 years development plan
A return to the Almighty God (the Creator) by both the leadership and followership class, for moral regeneration and re-birth. It thus appears to me that, we are a society that is more religious than been godly.
Final Remarks
• Let me sign-off on this note that, Kogi State at 33years epitomizes a “State with un-realized dreams of its founding fathers, a State with plethora of un-tapped potentials and a State with monumental missed/misused opportunities but with limited indices of development when compared with other States with even fewer resource endowment”. However, our peaceful co-existence over the years and the few infrastructural facilities dotting our landscape, remains our basic achievements and consolation (poor people, not poor Kogi!).
• Our dismal score-card of performance @ 33years is a product of Bad leadership, corrupt elite and political class, ethnic distrust and disunity, docile followers and sycophants, as well as weak and corrupt institutions and administrative system since 1991. While we do not wish to apportion blame, for the “ugly shape” of the proverbial ‘Camel’ called Kogi State, we must lay our failures significantly at the feet of our past leaders, their elite collaborators and public servants sycophants, that have not give the needed transformational leadership that a growing and richly blessed State like ours deserve.
• Looking forward however, I see a Kogi State that can at least in 6years (2030) be able to unlock few of its God-given potentials, reverse its poverty status and take its rightful place as the emerging Middle Belt or Nigeria Industrial Giant by 2030, borrowing or tapping from a Simple, Track-able, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound and Actionable (STARTA) as well as people-centered strategic development agenda, anchored on JUSTICE, EQUITY AND FAIRNESS, hitherto and now being canvased as “KOGI AGENDA 2031” (Kogi @ 40).
6.0 CONCLUSION
Creating a Sustainable Legacy
Your Excellency, Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman (OAU) FCA, the Executive Governor of Kogi State by the special grace of the Almighty 2024-2028 (or 4 + 4 = 8, in a lighter mood), please note the followings:
(a) Congratulations on your hard-earned victories at the polls and confirmed by all levels of courts in the land. Sir, be magnanimous in your victories and
begin a bridge building initiatives aimed at uniting all and sundry for the great task of governance, as politicking and litigations palaver are now over. Power belongs to God and all powers that be, are ordained by God, for the peaceful living and co-existence through principles of justice, equity and fairness to greater majority.
(b) The Ebiras, the Okuns, the Igalas, the Kakandas, the Bassa-Nges, the Oworos, and the Nupes are looking up to you.
(c) The Kogites and indeed all the middle-belt zone are looking up to you.
(d) You have started to chart a new course for our Confluence State in your few eventful months in office, through people-centred initiatives and welfare programmes.
(e) Your Excellency Sir, politically by your humane disposition and accommodating all political and ethnic groups/opinions, you are on the right course to sustainable development and transformation.
Your Excellency Sir, there is still more to be accomplished in a 4-year tenure. As a concerned Servant-Leader, always remember that: –
• History calls on you to make a difference as the leader destined by God to lead Kogi State in such trying times nationally and a polarized State of ours, occasioned by the fall outs of the last Gubernatorial Elections,
• As a Professional Accountant and young Governor, align every action of government with your electoral promises,
• Your Excellency, you cannot afford to fail (God forbid). THE EXPECTATION OF Kogites are extremely high and the challenges enormous but surmountable, • Promote concrete socio-economic re-direction and development by:
– raising the quality of lives of the rural populace
– initiate/implement poverty reduction projects (Kogi State – one of the poorest State)
– stimulate industrialization through SMEs and set the pace for miniindustrial takeoff in the solid mineral and agricultural sectors
– re-activate all essential infrastructures
– ensure prompt project execution, monitoring and evaluation
• Promote and advance good democratic governance via accountability, due process and transparency,
• Assemble capable, experienced and hardworking team for efficient service delivery. A re-jig of the current team is the popular opinion of Kogites,
• Ensure loyalty and beware of sycophants,
• Demand un-alloyed trust and total cooperation from all Kogites (Public servants, Business Community and NGOs, etc.) and
• Finally, continually seek God’s guidance and direction in all private and State matters.
HAPPY 33RD ANNIVERSARY (HAPPY BIRTHDAY – KOGI)
HAPPY REFLECTION AND CELEBRATIONS TO ALL KOGITES
