8th November, 2021
Richard Elesho
Governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello, has restated the commitment of his government to the development of infrastructure in rural areas in all parts of the State.
The Governor gave the assurance at the weekend in Takete Ide community during the 2021 Takete Ide Day festival, an annual socio- cultural celebration of the people.
Governor Bello who was represented by Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mrs Arike Ayoade assured the people of the community that his government will construct the Efo Amuro/ Takete Ide/ Aghara road, a major route that links MopAmuro and Kabba-Bunu Local Government Areas.
Bello disclosed that the construction of Owowo bridge is captured in the 2022 budget proposal awaiting the consideration of the House of Assembly.
She called on the people to continue in their support for the incumbent administration.
Earlier in an address Prince Richard Dare Fiki, President of Takete Ide Progressive Union, TIPU, appealed to government to revisit the road, noting that it was awarded by former Governor Ibrahim Idris but abandoned by subsequent administration’s. Fiki recalled the pains the people bear from underdevelopment.
“Ladies and gentlemen, especially our first time visitors, you would have noticed the deplorable condition of our road and the collapse of the Owowo bridge or the Awu bridge, depending on the road through which you came in.
“Our people have been toiling on these roads for ages. We were greatly relieved when the administration of former Governor Ibrahim Idris awarded and began its construction in 2007. Our joy was however cut short when that administration could not complete it before its tenure ended abruptly in January 2012.
“Nearly a decade after, and the road has deteriorated. Last year, it was only through self help that we were able to construct a collapsed culvert. The project cost us well over three million Naira.
Emphasising that there is a limit to what communal resources can do in solving infrastructure problems, he called for government intervention. “I therefore passionately appeal to government at all levels to come to our rescue. We humbly urge the State government to as a matter of urgency, help in constructing all access roads to our fatherland.
“In addition to that, we want to call attention to the parlous condition of the only secondary school here. The school requires immediate rehabilitation and qualified teachers. As we speak, the Principal is the only one on government payroll in the school.
“Aside farming, education is the mainstay of our people. Government should please intervene by renovating the infrastructure, posting the requisite personnel to run it and save the school from total collapse.
The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, who is from the community pledged governments determination to uplift the infrastructure of rural areas across the state.
He also drummed support for the presidential ambition of his boss.
The festival featured a sandwich of cultural displays notably Eguugun, (Masquerades) Iyawo Ibile (traditional wedding), Ere Ode (Hunters display), Bassa dances, Tiv dances, the ancient Agbagba Ide and Imole dances. The programme also include a session for Peace and Development Talks. A respected medical practitioner, Dr. Abayomi Medubi, was the Guest Speaker.
Another major take away from the festival was the conferment of Awards and Honours to deserving individuals including an octogenarian, Pa. Titus Ayeni, the first University Graduate in the community, who left the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1967. An environmentalist and international consultant, Dr David Atte responded on behalf of the 11 Awardees.
The festival witnessed a large turnout of participants from home and abroad, including Segun Sowumi of Atiku Organisation, Hon Leke Abejide, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim, the Alamuro of Amuro, Oba Mathew Aiyedogbon, the Olude of Ide, Oba Philip Ebilakun, clergymen, high ranking chiefs, traditionalists, politicians and technocrats.
Hon. Bola Omoniwa, Chairman of the 2021 Takete Ide Day, Organising Committee, TIDOC, thanked all the participants.