Vice President Kashim Shettima expressed the confidence of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the newly sworn-in Kogi Governor Usman Ododo, to deliver good governance.
According to a statement by Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Vice President Shettima spoke during the inauguration of Ododo and Salifu Joel Oyibo as Governor and Deputy Governor of Kogi State respectively at the Muhammadu Buhari Square in Lokoja.
He said the “change of baton from one progressive to another will not disrupt the dividends of good governance”, noting that “Kogi State remains bound by the ideals and promises of a unified council of leaders and the largest party in Africa”, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Delivering his speech titled: “Standing together, Standing for the people”, the Vice President conveyed what he described as the heartfelt goodwill of President Tinubu to the people of Kogi State, saying the President holds absolute confidence in Ododo as the new helmsman of the state.
He stated: “The President remains committed to collaborating to optimise the vast potentials of Kogi State and bring to fruition the aspirations of its illustrious people.
“This historic day is not an orphan; it is born from a collection of sacrifices and an inventory of commitments to serve the people. This historic day is the ultimate demonstration of faith in Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo, a man fit for the shoes he is about to step into”.
For the outgoing Governor, Yahaya Bello, Shettima who described him by his nicknames, “indefatigable White Lion, the people’s lion”, pointed out that the historic inauguration of Ododo as his successor “is an eloquent referendum on” Bello’s stewardship.
“We are not here by accident, for none of us would ever escape our destiny. It’s this fatalism in our service to humanity that inspires our humility to stay on track. We are here merely because we are chosen by the people to represent their ideals.
“While political parties embody ideologies, it is the people who uphold the value system that appeals to our humanity, and Kogi State is fortunate to have our trusted patriots safeguarding their interests”, he added.
The Vice President further observed that Ododo is stepping in as the next Governor of Kogi at a time it may seem difficult “to assume a leadership position in Nigeria, especially as Nigeria adjusts to geopolitical events that have exerted pressure on our economy and the inherited greed and grievances that have threatened our national security”.
He implored the Governor not to despair, averring that while “it is precisely during these tumultuous times that a leader of note proves their resilience”, it is the same resilience that sets Nigerian leaders apart, as they navigate through challenges that shape the nation’s collective destiny.
The Governor who promised not to betray the people’s trust also pledged to pay attention to the health, education, agriculture and infrastructural sectors.
Ododo singled out President Tinubu for his commitment to the conduct of free and fair elections.
He pledged to hit the ground running by completing critical projects left behind by the immediate past Governor of the State, Yahaya Bello.
