Emmanuel lkpeama
Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructural development and rural transformation in the state.
He made this known during the 2025 Takete-Ide Day Celebration, where he was represented by Deputy Governor Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo.
Ododo assured the community of intervention on the Takete-Ide–Amuro–Ayede Amuro road and other developmental projects.
The Governor described Takete-Ide as a land rich in culture, human resources, and heritage, commending the community for its unity and commitment to self-help development initiatives.
“It’s a great honor to stand before you, my good people of Takete-Ide. This land is rich in culture, rich in human resources, and rich in heritage.”
“You have produced great men and women who have distinguished themselves in different walks of life,”he stated.
The Governor went further to express appreciation to the community for producing the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo,whom he described as a “committed, visionary, and loyal son” of Kogi State.
“Under our leader, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, I worked closely with your son, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, for eight years.
“Today, we’re still working together in my administration. Kogi State is grateful to Takete-Ide for giving us such a dedicated and dependable son,” the Governor said
He directed the Kogi State Road Maintenance Agency (KOGROMA) to make the road motorable through grading and filling of critical portions with laterite as a temporary measure.
The Governor also pledged government support for the completion of the Traditional Ruler’s Palace Project and highlighted several ongoing projects in Takete-Ide, including the remodeling of the Government Day Secondary School and the GYB Health Centre.
He announced that furniture had been approved for the school and assured that work would continue on the health facility as part of the over 200 primary healthcare centres being remodelled across the state.
He thanked the people of Takete-Ide for their consistent support for the All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that the party had maintained its dominance in the ward since 2019.
Ododo commended the community for promoting their cultural heritage and urged them to continue to pass down traditional values to the younger generation.
He also acknowledged the impact of the AGILE programme in the community through which many schoolgirls had benefitted from cash grants, and youths trained in modern agricultural techniques and agribusiness,pledging to continue empowering youths.
“We’ll continue to empower our youths, helping them move from the streets of idleness to the fields of productivity,” he assured.
He reiterated his administration’s resolve to strengthen security at the grassroots through the recruitment of local hunters and the pensionable appointment of members of the Vigilante Service, many of whom are indigenes of Takete-Ide.
Ododo commended the people for promoting their cultural heritage, describing culture as “our identity, our pride, and a unifying force,” and urged them to continue to pass down traditional values to the younger generation.
He called for continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the President’s reforms have opened more financial opportunities for subnational governments to deliver meaningful projects to their people.
“We were able to remodel your school and health centre because we have access to more resources, thanks to the President’s reforms,” he said.
Read also:Kogi Govt Hails Tinubu Over Appointment Of Maj. Gen. Shaibu As Army Chief.
The Governor concluded by extending warm greetings to the people of Takete-Ide and promising that his administration wouldn’t forget the community, adding that his personal donation to the Palace and the Youth Entrepreneurial Centre would be communicated through Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo.
The 2025 Takete-Ide Day Celebration, organised by a Central Planning Committee chaired by Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, had in attendance top government officials, traditional rulers, and sons and daughters of the community both at home and in the diaspora.
Other dignitaries who accompanied the Deputy Governor to the event included the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojoma; Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Monday Aridaojo Anyebe.
Others are Special Advisers to the Governor, Hon. Aboh Ibrahim and Hon. Alilu Yakubu Erosion; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hilary Ojoma Egwudah; Executive Chairman of Lokoja LGA, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu; State Coordinator, AGILE Project, Hon. Tijani Oricha, among others.
The Chairman of Mopamuro Local Government Area, Hon. Ademola Bello; House of Assembly Member representing Mopamuro Constituency, Hon. Olawumi Jacob; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Cultural Integration, Hon. Sunday Moses David Alumo, also graced the occasion.
In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, and the National President of the Takete-Ide Progressive Union, Prince Richard Dare Fiki, thanked the State Government for the ongoing infrastructural development in the community and appealed for the rehabilitation of the Orokere Amuro–Takete-Ide Amuro road to ease transportation.
Investigator news reports that the event featured colourful cultural performances, traditional displays, and warm receptions for dignitaries.
Guests also donated money towards the construction of the Palace, as Senator Representing Kogi West, Senator Sunday Karimi and the Chief Launcher and Philanthropist, Prince Olatunji Olusoji donated 5 million naira each.
