In view of the consequences that the inherited general sense of insecurity posed through the activities of deadly kidnap gangs, terrorism and broad-day robberies across the State, reigning in on these deadly tendencies soon assumed a frontline focus for the administration of H.E Gov. Yahaya Adoza Bello on his assumption of duty in 2016. Attempts were soon made to equip and support the Nigerian Police Force in the State to confront and curb the ugly trend. Significant investments in this regards soon showed that a decisive military strategy was necessary for sustained success in the long run. Little wonder, in less than two years, Gov. Yahaya Adoza Bello had accomplished the establishment of the Forward Operations Base, Achoze, Okene. What an outstanding feat that was.
This was soon followed in quick succession in November 2019 by the commissioning- along with the Naval high commands-of the Nigeria Naval Base Banda in Lokoja, conceived ab-initio by the Federal Government to meet the critical security needs of our nation's internal waterways, occasioned by the dredging of rivers Niger and Benue. This national asset has continued to enjoy the patronage and support of the Kogi State government for seamless operations ever since. The contributions of the Nigerian Navy by this asset and its men to the security of lives and properties within the State knows no measure.
As if the aforementioned interventions were not enough, in a move synonymous with the charismatic Governor, H.E Alh. Yahaya Adoza Belloa has on several occasions and in different fora continued to call on the Federal Government to establish a Nigeria Air Force Base in Kogi State to further secure our strategic interests and strengthen our national security, especially from the North Central frontiers. Even though this particular call has not been actualized, it is on record that the Governor has, within the limits of the resources at the disposal of the State government sought to intervene, along with the Federal government, by establishing the Army Forward Operations Base (FOB) in Achoze, Okene. Indeed, this serves as a testament to a leader who believes in matching words with actions.
In pursuit of the singular, yet strategic objective of making the State a safe haven for lives, properties and businesses, and riding it of the pervading general sense of fear, several multi-security agencies Joint Forces Operations were planned and launched in a coordinated manner across the State e.g "Operation Total Freedom" involving the Army, Navy, Police, DSS and other Para-Military establishments. These efforts saw the Governor himself leading the charge on several occasions on the fields in pursuit of these criminal elements, along with the security operatives.
Raising the bar higher on the security fronts led the Governor to the consideration, planning, establishment and operationalization of the Army Forward Operations Base In Achoze, Kogi State. This was the master stroke which had put to check the rampant kidnappings, terrorism and robberies that had hitherto become associated with Kogi State across the three Senatorial Districts.
In fact, this manace had taken a choking and paralyzing grip on the Central Senatorial District economy in particular, living citizens unable to pursue their daily activities freely. Data at the time had shown that about 50% of the total Kidnappings and terrorism incidences in the State occured in the Central District, with the other Districts sharing the burden of the rest. To a progressive and pragmatic Governor that H.E Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello is, this reality was fundamentally unacceptable. Thus, the birth of the Army Forward Operations Base, Achoze.
This bold move of GYB took about 17 month actualization period, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army high commands, to establish the Army Forward Operations Base in Achoze, Kogi State. This Base has the full complements of residential accommodations, armory, solar power systems, cafeteria, worship places etc. This has since put the menace of deadly insecurity in the District to rest, making it a safe haven for livelihoods and businesses to thrive.
These and more reminds one of the progressive administrative legacies the incoming government of H.E Alh. Ododo Ahmed Usman stands to inherit, thus hitting the ground running. It is to the credit of the GYB years that the modern security roadmap of the State was developed and its architecture meticulously executed to its current state of stability and zero tolerance for crimes.
In view of the glaring positive state of security of lives and properties today, Kogi State has become the destination of choice for businesses, and route for travellers from across the country.
With the incoming Governor Ododo Ahmed Usman being a critical core of the administration, we are assured of a swift 'Consolidation and Continuity' of these gains, with its ripple effects becoming more pronounced going into the future for the State; in terms of Ease of Doing Business indicators, Local and Foreign Direct Investments LFDIs, greater agricultural value-chain outputs and industrialization, which will all lead to wealth creation for the State government and Citizens on a larger scale, through greater tax revenue base and higher purchasing power respectively.
From the establishment of the Army Forward Operations Base Achoze, to the Commissioning of the Nigeria Naval Base in Lokoka vis-a-vis his continued calls for the establishment of the Nigeria Air Force Base in Kogi State, and his huge investments in the Nigerian Police Force in the State, Gov. Yahaya Adoza Bello has stamped his legacies on the Nigerian political and leadership landscape as a leader with the understanding of the critical role local and national security plays in the overall development of the nation. In line with these, a huge thank you to the GYB government and years will always be appropriate, as demonstrated by several awards and recognition from across the world.
May our incoming Governor, H.E Alh. Ododo Ahmed Usman Succeed. Amin.
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