By Omonu YG Nelson
The Young Progressives Party, YPP candidate for the November 11 governorship election in Kogi the Confluence state of Nigeria, Dr Samson Agada Omale, has described as preposterous and unjust the prevailing insecurity and economic quagmire in the state in the midst of nature’s massive endowments.
Omale, who blamed the sad turn of events on leadership misfits, stated this at the presentation of his manifesto to the good people of Kogi State, which took place at the YPP National Secretariat, Abuja, Wednesday, July 26, 2023.
He promised a redress: “Our underlying governance philosophy is a seamless and mutually-beneficial partnership between the government and the private sector for the benefit of the Kogi people.
“We intend to pursue policies that create an optimal environment for businesses, large and small, to thrive, thereby creating unlimited jobs, increasing our tax revenues, and providing the resources for the government to assure a good life for all Kogi people.”
The seasoned investment banker believes only purposeful leadership can reverse the trend and give the traumatised people of Kogi the better life they deserves.
In presenting a watertight manifesto anchored on five key priority areas he christened (SEIGH): Security, Economic Growth, Infrastructure, Good Governance and Human Capital Development, the politician hoped that the people of the state will seize the moment by taking their collective destiny in their own hands now that they still have the opportunity to make the right choice and move the state forward.
“Our underlying governance philosophy is a seamless and mutually-beneficial partnership between the government and the private sector for the benefit of the Kogi people. We intend to pursue policies that create an optimal environment for businesses, large and small, to thrive, thereby creating unlimited jobs, increasing our tax revenues, and providing the resources for the government to assure a good life for all Kogi people. Our digital economy is built on 5key priority areas including: Security, Economic Growth, Infrastructure, Good Governance and Human Capital Development: (SEIGH),” he said.
Of the five pronged approach to Kogi’s restoration, Omale described security of life and property as the fortress on which all other aspirations are predicated.
He said: “We would like to first of all secure the environment because it determines and controls every other area of our daily lives. We cannot rise above our environment.
“The foremost role of any government is the protection of lives and properties within a defined territory. Unfortunately, Kogi State has been bedevilled by a multiplicity of security challenges, including terrorism, armed herdsmen attacks, kidnapping, and political assassinations among others.
“Thus, our first priority would be the establishment of effective control over the state’s security situation in close collaboration with federal security and intelligence agencies. Our strategy combines strong local knowledge with cutting-edge technological tools to detect, prevent, and respond in real time to the varied security challenges facing the country.”
The renowned economist promised to leverage the agricultural potentials to banish hunger from Kogi State, with particular reference to the two largest body of water which confluence in Lokoja, the state capital, if voted into office.
Describing Kogi as land of opportunities, Omale reaffirmed what’s possible, if the large mineral deposits underneath in all parts of the state is fully maximised.
“We shall seek major investments and export markets in value chains for which Kogi State enjoys a significant advantage. These include cassava-to-ethanol, processed cashew, oil palm value chain, and fruits processing among others.
“Among these are large deposits of coal, limestone, iron ore, crude oil, and gold among others.
“Agriculture and resources include coffee, cocoa, palm oil, cashews, groundnuts, maize, cassava, yam, rice and melon.
“These resources are complemented by Industrious and illustrious sons and daughters making strong strides in entrepreneurship, academia, industry, and more.”
The YPP governorship candidate went down memory lane on the historical relevance of Kogi to the making of Nigeria, against the backdrop of Lokoja, serving as the first administrative capital of the amalgamated Nigeria.
“A land of opportunities, the state’s capital was the first capital of Nigeria and played a pivotal role in early Nigerian history. Kogi is blessed with abundant natural and human resources, with over 32 mineral resources.”
He bemoaned the antics of politicians who continue to reinforce mundane, pedestal and parochial cleavages like religious and ethnic sentiment for narrow political ends. This, he said has put a dent on the beautiful and colourful array of rich cultural heritage of the state.
“Our politicians continues to use religious and ethnic jingoistic tendencies to divide us with its concomitant effect on of collective development as a people,” he said.
Other areas that will receive maximum attention, according to Dr Omale is mechanised agriculture, technology, energy with particular emphasis on wind and solar power.
He concluded on the note of clarion call to ‘Kogites’ to play an active part in the realisation of this collective dream, while urging those who seek further details on the Kogi YPP Governorship Manifesto to do so @ DrSamOmale Campaign page on Facebook, twitter, Instagram and YouTube.