Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has disclosed that his administration has employed 1050 hunters, established a Forward Operation Base and absorbed vigilante operatives into the civil service as part of efforts to tackle insecurity in the state.
The governor made this known on Thursday in Lokoja during a three day training programme on promoting development and infrastructure growth in line with the state’s 32 year development plan. He was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Mukadam Asiru Asiwaju.
Ododo also outlined key achievements recorded in the first two years of his administration, with a strong emphasis on economic revitalisation, infrastructure expansion and improved social welfare.
He said one of the administration’s notable strides was the revival of the Confluence Rice Mill, which has supported over 7000 farmers and generated jobs through grants and soft loans provided by the Kogi Enterprise Development Agency.
The governor further disclosed that the government is committed to completing more than 500 kilometres of roads, installing solar streetlights and rehabilitating waterworks across the state to boost economic activities and improve living conditions.
According to him, significant progress has also been recorded in the expansion of free healthcare services, provision of educational support and implementation of empowerment programmes for women and youths.
“We have employed 1050 hunters, established a Forward Operation Base and absorbed vigilante operatives into the civil service,” Ododo said.
He stressed the need to align all ongoing and future development initiatives with the state’s long term 32 Year Development Plan to ensure continuity and sustainable growth.
The governor urged participants at the training programme to apply the knowledge gained in advancing Kogi State’s development vision and achieving prosperity by the year 2056.
