In a crucial meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, today, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu warmly received Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and both engaged in a productive dialogue around pressing security and economic concerns facing the nation, and Kogi State in particular.
The visit, which took place against the backdrop of Governor Bello’s impending handover of power to his successor, Governor-Elect Ahmed Usman Ododo on January 27, 2024, underscored the importance of intergovernmental collaboration and the continued pursuit of progress even during transitional periods.
The meeting’s agenda further reinforces the significance of collaborative efforts between the federal and state governments in tackling the nation’s challenges. Security and the economy are topmost on the list of national issues of priority concern to all Nigerians.
The two leaders’ deliberations thus highlighted the urgency of finding actionable and immediate solutions through synergy between all levels of Government in the country, especially the imperatives of a unified approach.
It will be recalled that Governor Yahaya Bello is widely recognized as the most successful Governor in security matters over the last 8 years. Even as bandits and other armed and hostile non-state actors overran highways in parts of the country, Bello’s administration kept the crucial corridor between both parts of the country that ran through the state open and safe, through thick and thin.
The administration also managed to secure her boundaries with ten other states, greatly contributing to overall national security. Although Governor Bello’s departure from office at the end of this month has left many citizens concerned about security in the North Central state which is considered the gateway between the north and south of Nigeria, the outgoing helmsman has continued to reassure the nation that his successor is well prepared to do even better in security and all areas.
President Tinubu also commended Governor Bello for his exemplary leadership in Kogi State since assuming office in January 2016. The President’s acknowledgment of Governor Bello’s dedication and the positive impact he has had on the state’s prosperity and the well-being of its people joins a growing list of accolades for the outgoing helmsman of the Confluence State.
This medium also gathered that ensuring a smooth transition and sustaining the pace of development set by Bello’s administration progress was also of interest to President Tinubu who received assurances from Bello that the process is on course without any hitches.
The President further underscored the ongoing commitment of his government to ensuring a smooth transition and continuing good governance in Kogi State. The meeting served as an opportunity to discuss strategies for continuity and to lay the groundwork for the incoming administration to build upon the successes of the outgoing government.
Ultimately, the meeting between President Tinubu and Governor Yahaya Bello reinforced the crucial role of intergovernmental cooperation in addressing the nation’s challenges. It also highlighted the importance of open communication, collaboration, and a shared vision for the future of Nigeria between leadership at the federal level and the sub- national units.
©Kogipedia
