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| Alhaji Zakito Umar |
The
reinstatement of Alhaji Zakito Umar as the Executive Chairman of
Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State, is a unique continous
opportunity for the people of the area to harvest bountiful democracy
dividends,
Activities
at Ajaka, the headquarters of Igalamela /Odolu Local Government Area, Kogi State
in the north central Nigeria
The
people of the council area are optimistic that the present reinstated
administration, which they freely elected on May 4, few years ago, will be a
radical departure from previous administrations in the council area, by giving
them greater democratic dividends and laying a more solid and robust foundation
for the future development of the area in all spheres of human endeavour.
The
good people of the largely Ajaka, Odolu communities, among others, deserve
quality leadership at this third tier of government, which they so cherished.
This
made them to troop out on that day to exercise their franchise freely, the same
way electorates from the remaining 20 local governments in the state had done
on that same day.
It
is fascinating to note that following the victory of Bagio as he is fondly called by his peers and
hordes of admirers, at the primary election conducted by his party, Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP, the consensus of opinion was that the aroma of victory
of Alh. Zakito at the poll was already percolating the various wards in the
Local government .
It
was reasoned that the election would be a straight fight between himself and
his major contender in the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) , which has
dissolved into the All Progressive Congress (APC) , along with Congress for
Progressive Change, (CPC) All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, and a faction of All
Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) .
After
a free and fair contest, Alh. Zakito convincingly won the chairmanship contest,
drawing along a chunk of the Council seats.
The
attendant celebrations enveloped the entire local government, like wild fire,
as youths, students, farmers, artisans, traders, women and men relished
Bajjio’s deserved victory with
unprecedented
funfair, and yet very peaceful in their conduct.
Behind
the euphoria of the victory, is the personality of Hon. Danjuma Sani A. k. A
Makama. Those who know him say that he is loved by anyone who comes in contact
with him, because of his gentle, humble and extremely cerebral endowments.
Popularly
called Bajio in his teenage years by his peers, Alh Zakito is a man who was
born great. Like the Italian National Team, the Bajjio, whose prowess in soccer
is legendary, especially due to his sublime touch on the ball, courageous,
intelligent and lethal finish Bagio is imbued with high intellect, candor,
humility, doggedness and responsiveness. Some of his sterling attributes
include being a health guru, and administrator par excellence. He will no doubt
impact positively on the good people of Igalamela/odolu Local Government Area
during his reigns as chairman Health Workers Union of the above named local
government.
A
humble son of Umoru Koche , the newly reinstated council boss is a role model
and a benefactor to many people in Ajaka town, the entire Local Government,
Kogi and even
beyond
the Kogi shores. He had secured jobs for scores of people in both government and
non government parastatals. This has brought comfort to so many homes and
alleviates their poverty in this challenging country of ours. He is poised to
even do more.
All
these and many more of his kind gestures, as a pious Muslim, husband and
father; community leader and astute modern day politician have yearn for him,
growing and
uncommon
followership.
He
is a native of Otobo-Adokpulu of Ajaka, “Bajio is a very kind, humane and sound
administrator. You need to get close to him to appreciate him.”
The
council boss is an intellectual personality, judging by his intimidating
credentials, several academic and professional awards he had
garnered
in the course of his endeavours.
A
man with the Midas touch, he hates laziness and detests lying. He associates
freely with people. This enables him to have a wide network of friends,
including politicians,
religious
leaders, and business associates, among other categories of people. A loyal
party member, he is also a bridge-builder, between the old and the young.
YEARNING
AND ASPIRATIONS OF OUR PEOPLE :
I
want to use this medium to appeal to the council Boss to be give adequate
attention to agriculture through the provision of necessary inputs like
fertilizer, pesticides, and storage facilities to enhance value chain, employ
young school leavers and retain old hands; reduce poverty through disbursement
of soft loans through cooperatives.
That
is not all, as “Our people also want the chairman to build more schools and
rehabilitate the existing ones, built culverts to link communities and farm
centres and provide greater welfare packages for the aged, women widows and
other vulnerable members of the Local government, to “Reduce our growing
hardships.”
Though
the council boss, had, at his inauguration, vowed to pursue the cause of the
people through sound leadership. For him, it would not be business as usual.
However,
to succeed, Alh. Zakito must carry the people along, as the various communities
in the area are his constituency.
He
must raise the internal revenue generating bar of the council by bringing into
his tax net, potential revenue points, such as creating more motor parks and
strengthening the existing ones, building shops, complexes, event centres,
markets, as this is the best way to augment the paltry statutory allocations
from the Federal and State governments, especially when viewed against the
backdrop of the growing demands of the people.
Whatever
his critics may say, which is expected, the show of affection, love,
solidarity- pillars that most politicians labour to get-have been given to
Bajio effortlessly by the people who elected him. It is upon it that Zakito
rode into this exalted office and which may provide the strong foundation for
his transformation initiative. For me, one can only wish him good
luck,
as he traverses this challenging terrain.
LONGLIVE
THE CHAIRMAN
LONGLIVE
IGALAMELA/ODOLU
LONGLIVE
THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC
OF NIGERIA
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