By Thompson Yamput
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The stellar achievements or legacies of the immediate past Governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, are still speaking for him two years after leaving office. There’s no occasion of his successor, Gov. Ahmed Ododo, that Bello’s name won’t be mentioned.
The impact of his legacies are tremendous and overwhelming before the people of Kogi and Nigeria as a whole, who in one way or the other have tested a bit of them, with the state being the gateway to both Southern and Northern parts of the country. More visible is the peace that has enveloped the state due to his strategic and tactical security policies that have dealt a deafening blow on criminal elements that were terrorising the state before his assumption of office as Governor in January 27, 2016.
In perspective , the former governor’s legacies span across all sectors; health, agriculture, education, works, transport, mining, judiciary, commerce and industry, and tourism, among others.
In terms of security, safety, and peace building, Bello did not mingswords but was resolute at hunting down criminals and criminality. First, he established strategic collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and Armed Forces and others and provided some security facilities (vehicles and gadgets) and logistics for their operations.
He also ensured the establishment of the Kogi State Vigilante Service, which is greatly assisting the conventional security agencies in fighting crime and criminality in the state. As a no-nonsense governor, Bello was taking the fight to the criminals’ enclaves and dislodging them even as he refused to negotiate with them nor pay any ransom.
While improving intelligence gathering and community policing, Bello established security checkpoints across flashpoints and drastically brought a reduction in kidnapping and armed robbery incidents. He also introduced peace-building initiatives among ethnic groups and youth engagement as partners in security.
Prof. Yahaya Adaviriku-Yusuf, Lecturer with Federal University Dutse, Jigawa Stat, described Yahaya Bello as “the most security conscious Governor ever in Nigeria. ”
Yusuf said he knew Bello right from their secondary school days at Government Secondary School, Suleja in Niger, where he (Bello) was the Head boy then.
“Bello was a very quiet person, who no one even himself ever thought he could be Governor, but God in His infinite mercy made it possible.
“On assumption of office, Jan. 27, 2016, as Governor of Kogi, Bello changed everything around to the surprise of the residents, who didn’t know how rich and economically viable the state is.
“He first dealt with criminals by entering their holes and pulled them out to set the people of Kogi from their oppression and dastardly acts, just as he sanitised the state civil service in terms ghost workers and over blotted salaries.
“Bello was one governor who blatantly refused to negotiate with bandits, terrorists and kidnappers but chose to go after them headlong and dislodging and destroying them to restore peace for his people and passers by through the state.
“In fact, his successor, Ododo, tailored through that decisive path and is also taking the battle to the camps of the criminals.
“Aside from that, during his eight year reign as governor of Kogi, Bello did a lot for Kogi, which today, is known as one of the Oil Producing States in Nigeria, enjoying 13 per cent derivation revenue from the federation account. He had stood tooth and nail in the Courts for the state to make that a reality.
“Educationally, Bello single handedly established two state universities: The Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) and Kogi State University (KSU), Kabba as addition to the Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, established by late Prince Abubakar Audu who ruled the state from 1999 to 2003. To many people, the establishment of those universities within such a short period was indeed a feat
“The two new universities are among the fastest growing universities in Nigeria today.
“As a people’s governor then, he established three GYB Model Science Secondary Schools, one in each of the three senatorial districts of the state, massive construction and rehabilitation of over 600 basic education schools, upgraded classroom infrastructure and learning materials and introduced ICT-driven learning initiatives in schools.
“Bello had, in his second tenure prioritised the payment of West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees for thousands of Senior Secondary School (SS3) students and payment of scholarships to students in the tertiary institutions including those studying abroad. Over 2000 teachers were recruited to boost education in the state, among others.
“In the Health sector, the former governor established three seperate 250-bed reference hospitals across the three senatorial districts, Kogi East, Kogi Central and Kogi West, built and revitalised Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) and recruited over 2,000 health workers to man them.
“He upgraded the referral hospital in Okene into a University Teaching Hospital for CUSTECH with state of the art or world-class health facilities. Also upgraded were the Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital and Idah General Hospital to a Zonal Hospital status aside from the construction of new general hospitals across the state.
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“His healthcare programmes brought about massive enhancement of supply of medical equipment to hospitals and PHCs, strengthened disease surveillance systems, and improved healthcare access in the rural communities. He bought 24 brand new Ambulances and distributed them among the 21 Local Government Areas for their general hospitals for emergency services.”
According to him, with what the former governor has done for Kogi in his eight year reign, 95 per cent of the people hold him in high esteem and will support him for any political ambition he may hold.
The supreme leader, as he’s fondly called, had also done a lot in the area of infrastructure, road networks, and urban renewal drive across the three senatorial districts of the state. Some of these landmark achievements include the completion of the Ganaja Junction Flyover, Kogi’s first major urban flyover, construction and rehabilitation of major highways across the three senatorial districts aside in the expansion of rural feeder roads linking farming communities for economic growth.
He didn’t leave the judiciary arm of Government, as he bought 50 series of SUVs for the judges of High Courts including the Chief Judge, the Khadi of Sharia Court of Appeal and Head of the Customary Court of Appeal of the state.
Bello was one governor who deliberately ensured the inclusion of women and youths in governance, especially in key cabinet positions. Women were appointed as LG Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons across the 21 LGAs. Youths were empowered through skills acquisition programmes, entrepreneurship, and startups and capacity-building for women leaders as well as social intervention programmes for vulnerable groups.He equally promoted gender balance in public service
In the area of agriculture and food security, Bello encouraged mechanised farming through massive
distribution of mechanised farming equipment such as tractors, Water Pumping Machines, Knapsacks sprayers and other inputs, and the establishment of cluster farming settlements. He introduced the training of farmers on modern agricultural practices and increased food production across the state.
Others are the launch of the Kogi Confluence Rice Mill, expansion of fisheries and aquaculture programmes, and support for Cashew and cassava processing initiatives, provision of farm inputs, and seeds for massive food production amongst others.
Bello’s economic management and fiscal reforms in digitalisation of tax and revenue collection systems brought about significant growth in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), elimination of ghost workers, improved salary payment systems for civil servants and promotion of fiscal discipline and budgetary control.
In display of transparent and accountability governance, Bello introduced the publication of financial records of his administration, reduced wasteful spending, strengthened public procurement processes, and completed abandoned legacy projects.
Nevertheless, the former governor’s impactful governance attracted both national and international honours to him. Some of the laurels included “Governor of the Year” award by Global Excellence Awards (2023), and National commendation for fiscal transparency, security innovation, and inclusive governance.
The Speaker, Kogi House of Assembly, Rgt. Hon. Umar Yusuf, had during Bello’s last budget presentation for 2024 on the floor of the house on Dec. 11, 2023, described him as a true people’s leader.
Yusuf said, “Your Excellency, Sir, you are indeed a leader and builder of men. You are a man whose unique leadership capacity we are going to miss in the state. Be that as it may, I have no iota of doubt that the incoming Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo will consolidate on the template you have set since your assumption of office and take it to the next level with renewed hope and vigour to better the lot of our people.
“Distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen; you will agree with me that the current administration in the state has recorded remarkable achievements in ensuring a robust and fruitful relationship between the Executive and legislature in a way that even the opposition have become more envious of the progress being recorded under the humane and people-centered leadership of the Governor.
“Without any fear of contradiction, I must state that the various sectors of the states economy have observed improved infrastructural development, in addition to the investment we are seeing in critical sectors that have direct bearing on the lives of Kogi citizens.
“Whether it is education, security, healthcare, improved rural infrastructure, employment creation, women and youth empowerment, peaceful coexistence among various ethnic groups in the state, improved welfare for our urban and rural dwellers, social protection for citizens, improved synergy among the various components in the system and other areas of endevours, your impact, sir, is obvious for all to see.
“Your government has been able to develop a comprehensive blueprint for the new phase of the states development, and I want to assure you that the executive would enjoy the necessary legislative support to ensure the strategic objectives of the administration are achieved, ” he said.
The speaker congratulated Bello for demonstrating a rare leadership quality by leading the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to victory in the Nov. 11, 2923, off circle gubernatorial election in the state.
He lamented, “It is sad that you are not here to lead us in the management and directly benefitting from our sweet victory, but we are consoled by the fact that you have an equally capable successor in Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, who has been one of the leading lights of your government in the last eight years.
“Your Excellency, one of the areas even your harshest critics cannot fault you is in the area of education. How can I forget when one of the first bills I ever attended to upon my emergence as speaker was an executive bill that sought to establish the Kogi State University (KSU), Kabba? Not only have we successfully passed the bill into law, but you have also assented to it and will matriculate the first set of students before your exit from office, Insha Allah.
“This was after you had also successfully established the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, and overhauled the Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba. In fact, no higher institution in the state has failed to experience your magic touch since your assumption of office eight years ago, including my alma mater, the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.
“Your Excellency, your footprint in the security sector is so legendary that I would just allow your numerous awards to speak for themselves. I will do the same on the issue of infrastructure because we have one of the best flyover bridges in North Central Nigeria for the first time since the creation of the state over 30 years ago. In all, we say thank you for being the father of modern Kogi State.”
In his characteristic as a leader, during the budget presentation, Bello said that he was looking forward to seeing the incoming administration of Ododo building on the foundation he laid “by working together with all
stakeholders across the state to achieve even greater heights than we did.”
He quickly urged the residents to embrace “this transition with excitement and optimism, knowing that our collective efforts will push our state to new horizons.”
Shortly before Bello left office, he created the humanitarian ministry, which, after its inauguration, a total of 3,000 individuals, benefited from the federal government’s social investment programme.
During the ceremony, Dr. Betta Edu, the then Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, lauded Bello’s administration for the new ministry, and for rolling out numerous initiatives to combat poverty and socio-economic inequality and enhance security in the state.
Mr Kingsley Fanwo, Commissioner for Information, described Bello’s legacies as unprecedented and heartwarming to the good people of Kogi.
Fanwo said, “It’s surprising that in his last days, Gov. Yahaya Bello demonstrated his love for our youths when he chose to undertake the responsibility of covering examination fees for public school students, by releasing funds such as the N497 million disbursed for the 2024 WAEC fees.
“This is as a result of his administration’s Zero-out-School-Children initiative, which has yielded substantial results at improving school enrolment and the standard of education in the state
“Knowing who my boss and our political leader is, and what he can do, the people of Kogi are holding him in high esteem and would always welcome and support his political course any day any time.”
Thompson C. Yamput is a seasoned Journalist and a political analyst
