Kogi Gov. Ododo Signs 7 Landmark Bills, Pledges Continued Focus on Transformative Governance.

Emmanuel Clement 

Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo has signed seven bills into law, reaffirming his commitment to impactful governance and people-oriented development.

Investigator news reports that the bills cover key areas like oil-producing community development, disaster management, environmental protection, electoral reform, and land administration.

Ododo emphasized that these laws will reshape critical sectors and improve lives, warning that his administration will enforce them strictly with zero tolerance for impunity.

‎Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony at the Government House in Lokoja,on Friday 25, July 2025,the Governor appreciated the Speaker, Aliyu Umar, principal officers and Honourable Members of the State Assembly for what he described as deep sense of responsibility and commitment to good governance, stressing that the bills reflect a shared vision to improve the lives of Kogites and strengthen key pillars of development across the state.

‎“These laws are not just mere words on paper; they’re bold steps toward reshaping critical sectors of our development journey, from oil-producing community advancement to electoral reform, land management, environmental protection, and urban regulation.”

‎He noted that the amendment to the Kogi State Oil Producing Area Development Commission Law would ensure that oil-bearing communities in the state now benefit from a more transparent, structured, and impactful development framework.

Ododo went further to say that the re-enactment of the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency Law has equipped the state with a more coordinated mechanism for disaster preparedness and response.

‎He also highlighted the importance of establishing the Kogi State Climate Change Agency, saying it was a clear indication of the government’s commitment to environmental protection, sustainable living, and securing a safer, greener future for generations to come.

He described the legislation as “long overdue,” noting that the increasing risks posed by unregulated movement of heavy trucks necessitated immediate and decisive action to restore order, reduce accidents, and improve the flow of traffic in the city.

‎In another development,the Governor also signed the new Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) Law, which he said would provide a stronger legal foundation for transparent, credible, and inclusive local government elections, as well as the establishment of the Kogi State Bureau of Lands.

According to him, the agency would modernize land administration, eliminate unnecessary bottlenecks in land acquisition and documentation, and boost investor confidence in the state’s property sector.

‎He stressed the importance of agriculture to Kogi’s economy, stating that the amendment of the Commodity Exchange and Export Promotion Law was aimed at empowering farmers, strengthening the agricultural value chain, and positioning Kogi as a major player in national and international agro markets.

He cited his recent visit to Lagos, where he signed a landmark partnership deal targeted at transforming the lives of farmers and scaling Kogi’s agricultural output while urging the people to take the newly signed laws seriously, warning that anyone who violates the law, regardless of status, would be held accountable, underscoring his administration’s zero-tolerance policy on impunity.

‎“I remain committed to delivering a Kogi State that works for all, where governance is not about promises but about action; not about words, but about impact.”

‎Rt Hon. Aliyu Umar, the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, lauded the Governor for his development strides in the state, assuring him of the cooperation of the House of Assembly.

He urged the Governor to throw all his political will behind the smooth implementation of the laws.

‎While praising the governor for sponsoring what he termed, “People -oriented” laws, stated that some of the bills have taken care of some agencies that have been operating in the state for more than 30 years without legal backing.

‎He however urged the state governor to help digitize the House of Assembly Complex, in order to enhance their administrative efficiency, noting that two other bills will soon be passed to the executive for the governor’s assent.