Kogi Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Monday, inaugurated the state’s Economic Advisory Council.
The governor who inaugurated the high-net-worth Council virtually challenged its members to “guide the state into prosperity”, by tapping into the abundant human and mineral resources available to her.
He said the members were carefully selected based on their pedigree and track record, saying their main responsibility is to work with the state to “open new doors of opportunities towards economic diversification”.
The Governor said the way out is for the nation to go back to the days of the agricultural boom as well as devise a way of optimizing the abundant mineral resources in the country.
His words: “As you know, Agriculture was the pride of the nation before the discovery of oil, in the 60s, but the coming of it, utterly neutralized the gains in Agriculture and stalled the progress in other sectors, as well.
“The entity called Nigeria is so naturally blessed, with the potential to be one of the leading countries in the world but the circumstances of oil and all the issues around it, have made this very difficult to realize.
“There is no doubt that crude oil, in Nigeria, is suffering declining relevance and may actually become extinct, with the passage of time or become totally irrelevant, due to improvements in renewable energy over environmental concerns.
“In 2016 and 2020 respectively, Nigeria was ushered into a recession over the collapse of the price of crude oil. This, for me, underlines the fragility of our economy and, indeed, a wake-up call, that we must begin to think beyond oil, if we are to be sustainable, as a nation and, by extension, if we are to survive, as a State.
“As you know, Kogi State is vastly blessed with human and natural resources, that are yet to be optimally harnessed for the good of our people.
Bello said available data indicates that Kogi has over 29 solid minerals in commercial quantity and blessed with the confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue, gateway to the FCT, bordered by 10 States including FCT, with considerable arable land, potentially world-class tourist sites, with leading cash crops such as cashew, cassava, and rice.
According to the governor, Kogi is also so blessed with high-profile industries such as Ajaokuta, Itakpe Iron Ore, Obanaja Cement Company, and therefore the state cannot be complacent, in the face of these enormous blessings and its people struggling with basic necessities of life.
He informed the Council that the rationale behind the establishment of the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara was to create local capacity and strategically position the state to take advantage of the abundant mineral resources she boasts of.
The Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council, Mr. Aliyu Nda Salami while responding on behalf of the other members, thanked the Governor for the intrinsic confidence reposed in them, saying they have resolved to hit the ground running and change the fortunes of the state for good. He said the Governor has taken the right step by bringing together, a crack team to move the economy of the state forward.
He said the Council’s membership is a testament to the intimidating profiles of Kogites in different spheres of endeavors.
Members of the Council are Aliyu Inda Salami as Chairman, H.E Amb Olusiji Godwin Aina as Alternate Chairman, Chief Engr Joseph Makoju, OON, OFR (FNSE), Chief Kola Jamodu, CFR (FCA), Dr. Aheruvoh David Ohiku, Emmanuel E. Onoja, Ph.D., FCA, Chief Abdulrazaq Isa Kutepa, and Mr. Segun Adaju, Member.
Others members are Prof. S .I. Ocheni, FCNA, Mr. Ola Oyelola, Member; Musa Itopa Jimoh, Mr. Isah Shaibu, Prof. Seidu O. Muhammed, Mr John Obaro, Mr. Lawal Itopa Lamidi, FCA , Dr. Isah Abdullahi, Prof. Sule Jafaru, Dr Audu Dangana, Prof . John O. Alabi, HE Amb. Shola Rafiu Enikanolaye, Mr. Tunde Ayeni, Prof. Suleiman A. S. Aruwa, Engr. Ismail Akaba, Mr. Thomas Etu, Alh. Abubakar Sanusi Gamji, Ebi Atawodi, Member; Ronke Bello PhD, Mr. Tony Okpanachi, Mr. Korede Adedayo, Hajia Dr. Halima Alfa, Mr Gimba N. Baba, Dr. Suleiman Adejoh, Michael Abuh, PhD, Hajia Ladi Ibrahim, FNA, and Joshua Okpanachi, PhD, and Mr Abdulateef Bello is to serve as Recorder.
This is the first time that Kogi is bringing together her best to chart the way towards economic development. The inauguration was coordinated by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Ayoade, Ph.D., and attended by other top government officials including the Hon. Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, Mukadam Asiwaju Idris Ashiru FCA.
