Kogi is undoubtedly the most naturally favored state in Nigeria in terms of geographical location, ethnic makeup and population of intellectuals. Even though it shares boarder with about ten states plus FCT, businesses and shop owners has over time either close operation or move out of the state to more sustaining environments. Interestingly, those who move out of the state usually smile at long last as those who try to bear with the states decadence end bankrupt or sell off their failing ventures to other prospective losers. The gospel truth is that this occurrence will not change until something very urgent is done to subdue the failing economy, human ravaging, endemic hunger, poor infrastructure and epileptic power supply in the state.
It has now become norm for every new government in Kogi state to waste the hard earned tax payers money and the states lean resources on a flamboyant foreign tours in the guise of wooing investors while in most end, there will be nothing to show for it across the states treasury, human development and physical infrastructures. There is no doubt to say foreign investors are not only wise but also smart, so; whenever the state succeeds in lavishing its resources at the detriment of dying civil servants and the investors come down. They will unconditionally shift base to elsewhere more convenient for their business success upon realizing the states unfavorable condition.
Nothing amazes me like whenever our leaders engage in funfairs and still call it business/economic trips despite knowing the truth of their actions. I cannot fathom when government will realize that if it Okays the necessary social amenities and living standards of people investors will naturally rush in due to orders and certainty of patronages. My greatest sorrow for the new direction government so far is how it wasted tax payers’ money to China rather than to concentrate on how to make a three square meal achievable on the table in civil servant homes. How will they feel when investors arrive and realize there is nothing to build upon? Of course, the only marketing business in Kogi state is house rent age, petrol and food item sales. Do not forget that-man needs shelter, must move as food too is very essential to life.
Since inception to office; “the new direction government has proved in all ramifications that it lacks empathy for Kogi and her citizens”. The administrative style is poised with what pleases the desire of powers that be rather than to develop the state and improve citizens’ welfare. The government’s media team is unarguably more competent than her economic team as this can be figured out from the intensity of online sycophancy, ill leverage of the government, opposition resistance as well as the online exaggeration of the AYB’s performance compared to the reality on ground. Majority of the new direction government appointees carry out a greater portion of their works on social media to seek cheap attention, relevance and “kola” instead of diligent services that will move the state to greater heights. Oh my people! You prefer to plunder the state for “moi moi” without any consideration for its future as well as the generations yet unborn? Posterity will judge us all.
It is on record that the first major work of this government is destruction of all roundabouts and monuments within Lokoja, the state capital and up till now, no sign of a better replacement via an architectural paper design not to talk of work in progress. Eight months after the staff verification exercise commenced, the process remained a mysterious inconclusiveness as there are still significant cases of irregularity yet to be resolved. The government apparatus and beneficiaries keep saying genuine workers have no cause for alarm while death toll rises on daily basis, pensioners are dying, civil servants are starving, primary/secondary schools are fading away slowly and traders have gone bankrupt as a result of civil servants unpaid debts. It is very worrisome to say but apart from the kangaroo renovations carried out in government house, nothing to show for the twenty billion naira bailout fund assessed by the governor except for few lucky civil servants who are receiving flash salaries.
It is very pathetic for Kogi to be ranked among underdeveloped states in Nigeria despite her incomparable human resources, educated population, huge natural resources, nearness to the FCT, intellectual potentials and abundant fertile lands which are not equitable to any state in Nigeria. More pathetic is the fact that those within the structures of leadership are the architect of our problem. They zealously pay lip services rather than brainstorming way out of our economic woes. The new direction government has so far shown no positive depiction of its mantra and instead of waking up to reality, those opportune to serve are ever relaxed and searching for the ant moles that could be called sand hill. What a pity? If the realities on ground are anything to go by, the said new direction is an emanating worse version of previous governments and by implication-it will be a pure hypocrisy for any sane kogite to praise this current government until remarkable achievements worthy of praise are recorded.
By and large, industrialization and positive progress is unrealistic in a state with failing economy, poor power supply, abject poverty, unstable security of lives and property until the government does what is right. Provision of basic amenity and good citizens’ welfare attracts investors and businesses the same way bait lure animals. If these things are put in place, there won’t be need for any jamboree wooing of investors. Kogi state has good prospects to be choice destination for business men and industrialists as our rural areas are domiciled with hardworking farmers/craftsmen and most of the youths are creative handwork specialists with products comparable with similar works across the country and globe at large despite unavailability of adequate machines and government encouragements. So, it’s just a matter of time. If the government resolves, Kogi will be a truly great place.
God Bless My Beloved Kogi State.
– Comr A. M. Nasiru,
twitter handle: @Naadejohs
