Despite the surge of under-development wallowing across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, I must state that today, development is fast moving from a periphery to a semi-core in many states of the federation. While some governors are governing their people with reckless abandonment, some have been distributing the fruits of democratic governance with passion and total commitment to development and growth of their people.
Today, many state governors are erecting lasting-peoples oriented Infrastructures with an astonishing zeal. Modern hospitals are being built. Disconnected rural communities are being reconnected with modern cities. Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State is fast becoming the number one destination of tourists in West Africa.
According to Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC), Ekiti State has the best road networks in South Western Nigeria. The Ekiti miracle was performed by her present and previous Governors. Governors of Lagos and Rivers States are building light rail, modern schools and other classic infrastructures and emolument which has positively provoked the rating of the country in recent times.
However, country people let me say unequivocally that i have been seeing under-development occasioned by lack of good leadership in Nigeria, but what I saw in Kogi during my recent visit to the state is dreadfully, awfully and extremely disquieting which if not democratically curbed, constitute threat to the peace and progress of the state.
Today, Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State reputed for its confluences of nature, is without any reservation, the worst in Nigeria. Lokoja is surrounded by water but ironically, the people residing in the city have no pipe-borne water to drink. The people of Kogi are dying daily of water related diseases. The roads in the city are on a state of disrepair. Most of the truck C roads in the state capital are not motorable. The only dual carriage route in the city of Lokoja is an eyesore. The road is riddled with gargantum potholes that are not ought to be seen in any state capital in 21stcentury.
In Okene, the headquarters of Ebira land and second largest city in Kogi, bad roads reign supreme. The nooks and crannies of the city have been enveloped by shameless odour obviously caused by abandoned wastes dumped on the streets by the people. The state waste management agency has been operating in hibernation. Ditto Lokoja has defeated Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State as the most rap-shackle capital city in Nigeria.
Today, with the physical nature of Kaba, the headquarters of Okun land, I can say without any fear of intimidation that the ancient city has been eradicated from the map of Kogi State. The entire roads in the city are blot on the landscape. Aside the federal highways that connect kaba with other communities, other roads in the city are awkward and totally appalling.
The primary and secondary schools in Kogi are a no go area. A visit to schools in Dekina, the local council of the incumbent governor of the state, Idris Wada will prove me right or wrong. The schools are sniveling in isolation. The classrooms are near collapse. Things are so horrific in Kogi that teachers in the state have no chalk to teach the younger generation.
The hitherto best state university in Nigeria situated in Ayingba and owned by the Kogi State government has retrogressed. Today, according to the National Universities Commission (NUC), Kogi State University, Ayingba is missing among the best seven state universities in Nigeria.
The future of tomorrow leaders in Kogi is bleaching. Hope dashed. Future for sale! A state that fails to educate the younger generation must be ready to invest on the purchase of guns and ammunitions to quench the outrage when the negligence boomerangs because education is the only panacea to curtail all forms of ignorance and illiteracy.
The general hospitals and maternity health centers in Kogi State are now mere consulting clinics. No drugs. Lack of personnel is a new order as embargo has been placed on recruitment of doctors and health workers in the state. Poverty, hunger and starvation have been institutionalized in Kogi state. Payment of salaries to workers by the state government is now a privilege. As I write, the most paid government worker in Kogi State is owed five months salaries.
The rights to live and properties of the citizens of Kogi State are being trampled on as the security situation in the state has degenerated. kogi is now a Boko Haram’s den. The three hundred million naira monthly security vote of the state Governor, Idris Wada is being scandalously utilized.
With every sense of modesty, let me say that it has been a struggle between paradox and hyperbole in Kogi State. Governor Wada is only excellent and super at smiling to the poverty ridden people of the state but as per governance, he is zilch.
Next Saturday, the good people of Kogi state will have another opportunity to choose a new leader. There are avalanche of choices before them to make. They have an opportunity to vote out a letdown and vote in a performer. I urge Kogi people to dethrone Wada and enthrone an intellectually rooted and grounded leader with their votes so that their state could move from her current state of pariah to a state of peace and development. Audu/Faleke is an option.
Adeleye writes from Magodo, Lagos
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