Kogi 8th Assembly Celebrates One Year Anniversary

• Rt. Hon. Speaker Promises To Deliver On The Mandate Of Quality Representation

BY ABUBAKAR SULEMAN

In celebration of its one year anniversary, the 8th Assembly of the Kogi State House of Assembly (KSHA) promised to continuously deliver on the mandate of quality representation accorded them by the people of Kogi State.

While speaking to Nigerian Trend online newspaper, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Aliyu Umar, flanked by the Deputy Speaker, Mrs Comfort Egwaba and the Majority leader, Hon. Suleman Abdulrazak maintained that the 8th Assembly has performed its oversight function and law making mandate without compromising It’s status.

He then appreciated the incumbent Governor of the State, Ahmed Usman Ododo for his unflinching support to the legislature while adhering to rule of law and respect for the tenets of the other arms of government.

He also commended sitting members for their support in achieving a purposeful and impactful legislative year, stating that regardless of our tribes, religion and backgrounds, we have been able to put aside our differences in the interest of their people who elected them.

According to Umar, “I appreciate the immense support of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for the ease in performing its duties while respecting the tenets of separation of power”

About RT. HON. SPEAKER, YUSUF ALIYU UMAR

The Speaker of the 8th Assembly in Kogi State, Rt Hon. Yusuf Aliyu Umar Born on the 14th of March,1969 in Lokoja, the lawmaker, who presently represents Lokoja II is a man that need no introduction anywhere in Lokoja Local Government Area, even prior to his election into the Assembly. He is a man that has made humility, respect, hard work, perseverance and fear of God his watchword from the word go.

In the realm of legislative affairs, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf has emerged as a beacon of change, dedicating his career to leveraging the power of lawmaking to foster development in rural areas. Hailing from a humble background himself, Yusuf understands the challenges faced by those living in remote regions and is committed to bridging the urban-rural development gap.

Elected to public office with a resounding mandate, Yusuf wasted no time in redirecting his focus to issues plaguing rural communities. His vision centered around the belief that legislative initiatives could serve as catalysts for positive change. Through strategic alliances and tireless advocacy, Yusuf championed several key policies aimed at uplifting rural areas.

The consummate accountant, who graduated from the prestigious Salem University, Lokoja, with an outstanding Bachelor of Science Degree also got his Postgraduate Professional Diploma from Nigerian College of Accountancy after a National Diploma in Business Administration from Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja. His Secondary Education was at Government Secondary School, Garki after his Primary School, which he acquired at Mahadi School, Lokoja.

One of his flagship initiatives was the Rural Development Enhancement Initiative – a comprehensive plan he has designed to allocate his personal resources specifically for the betterment of rural communities, through science education and tooling of rural healthcare.

This plan not only earmark the speaker’s funds to ensuring children are encouraged to study science related courses, but also serve as a push for those who have the desire to pursue courses in higher institutions that would enable them come back and serve their people in the rural areas as teachers and primary healthcare providers. The plan is to ensure that at the end of his tenure, human resources necessary to attract education, healthcare, and economic empowerment programmes for rural dwellers are available.

Rt Honourable Umar’s approach to ensuring his goal is achieved involve engaging with local communities to understand their unique needs and challenges, which he did before the elections that produced him as a lawmaker. His grassroots connection allowed him to tailor legislative and personal resources to projects that resonate with the people he represents. In doing so, he has not only garnered widespread support for himself, the ruling All Progressives Congress as a party, transcending political and religious divides but he has earned the trust of every stakeholder within Lokoja and Kogi State in general.

The legislator’s commitment to transparency and accountability became evident through his push for the welfare of his colleague (lawmakers) wherever he makes case for democratic dividends for the constituents of the members of Assembly. This is because his value is not that of a man that thinks about only himself. He believes that togetherness is better than selfishness. His insistence on accountability at all times has garnered accolades from his colleagues and the general public at all times.

Vocational Education is another focal point for the speaker, who recognizes that empowering the youth with knowledge and skills is pivotal for sustainable development. His Education Access Initiative even while he was a civil servant established schools, provided scholarships, and improve educational infrastructure across the state, including remote areas. By investing in the next generation, the speaker aims to break the cycle of poverty and create promising future for rural communities.

As Aliyu Umar Yusuf continues to wield his lawmaking responsibilities for the greater good, his story stands as a testament to the impact that dedicated public servants can have on the lives of those in underserved communities. Through his visionary leadership, Rt Hon Yusuf, aka Assignment as he is fondly called, has not only attracted development to his people, including rural areas, but has also inspired a new generation that prioritizes the needs of the people they are serving.