By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has been honoured with a prestigious national award by the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), in recognition of his administration’s commitment to safety standards, occupational health and responsible governance within his first two years in office.
The award, presented on Tuesday in Lokoja during activities marking Governor Ododo’s second anniversary in office, conferred on him the National Honour of Ambassador of Safety and Best Safety Governor in Nigeria, a rare distinction endorsed by ISPON’s Governing Board.
Presenting the award, the National President of ISPON, Chief Dr. Udezi Ste, said the Institute deliberately chose Kogi State to identify with what he described as Governor Ododo’s “credible, quality and people-focused leadership,” noting that the governor has defied early doubts surrounding his emergence by delivering stability, growth and responsible governance.
According to ISPON, Governor 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, said its endorsement was a clear affirmation of the governor’s efforts to reduce occupational hazards and entrench global best practices in safety management.
In a major show of confidence and partnership, ISPON announced the donation of a fully completed and furnished Secretariat to Kogi State, alongside a temporary office ready for operations. The initiative, the Institute explained, is designed to support the Ododo administration in consolidating safety standards and institutionalising compliance across public and private sectors.
Governor 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.
ISPON further disclosed that its 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 also praised Governor 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.
In a call that revealed the significance of the award, ISPON 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.
Governor Ododo in return 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 Tinubu who is leading from the front.
Governor Ododo’s leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state also received commendation, with ISPON lauding the State Chairman, Hon. Abdul Dolla, for what it described as effective and loyal party representation.
The award adds to a growing list of recognitions earned by Governor 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.