By Abah Benjamin-Eneojoh
Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi has been honoured with a prestigious national award of the Ambassador of Safety and Best Safety Governor in Nigeria, by the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON).
Presenting the award, the ISPON National President, Chief Dr. Udezi Ste, on Wednesday in Lokoja, said it was in recognition of Ododo’s administration’s commitment to safety standards, occupational health and responsible governance within his first two years in office.
Ste said that the National Honour of Ambassador of Safety and Best Safety Governor in Nigeria, conferred on Ododo, was a rare distinction endorsed by ISPON’s Governing Board.
“The Institute deliberately chose Kogi State to identify with Gov. Ododo’s credible, quality, and people-focused leadership.
“The governor has defied early doubts surrounding his emergence by delivering stability, growth, and responsible governance.
“Ododo’s leadership has placed Kogi State on the right pedestal of development, particularly in promoting safety consciousness across government operations, industries, and the workforce.
“The Institute, established by law to regulate and standardise safety practice in Nigeria, and his (Ododo’s) endorsement is a clear affirmation of his efforts to reduce occupational hazards and entrench global best practices in safety management, ” he said.
In a major show of confidence and partnership, ISPON president announced the donation of a fully completed and furnished Secretariat to Kogi state, alongside a temporary office ready for operations.
The initiative, he explained, was designed to support the Ododo administration in consolidating safety standards and institutionalising compliance across public and private sectors.
Gov. Ododo, who received the Ambassadorial Gold Medal Lapel Award, an honour recognised by international and diplomatic organisations, including the United Nations, was commended for creating an enabling environment for safety regulation and enforcement in the state.
He further disclosed that ISPON leadership would return to Kogi State by the end of February 2026 to officially open the Institute’s temporary office, during which selected members of the state executive council and other stakeholders who have contributed to safety advancement would also be honoured.
The institute’s boss also praised Ododo’s collaborative relationship with the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, Hon. David Zakaria, describing it as critical to strengthening safety enforcement nationwide.
He, however, urged the governor to direct all ministries, departments and agencies, as well as companies and industries operating in Kogi State, to comply fully with the ISPON Act of 2014, pending the domestication of the law by the state government.
In his remarks, Gov. Ododo thanked ISPON for proper evaluation and acknowledgement of his performance in the year under review.
He further attributed his success to the enabling environment created by President Bola Ahmed Tinub, who is leading from the front.
The award, however, added to a growing list of recognitions earned by Gov. Ododo as his administration continues to position Kogi State as a model of responsible governance, institutional reform and people-centred development, two years into his tenure. (ephemeralnews.com.ng)
