Kogiflame
The Governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo has commended the Olu of Apata, Oba Frederick Balogun, on his achievement in his ten years on the throne.
Ododo gave the commendation at the 10th Anniversary Coronation Ceremony of Oba Balogun, held at Apata Arena, Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The occasion included the conferment of chieftaincy titles on nine personalities, including the governor, Alh. Aliko Dangote, Mr Edwin Devakumar and Mal. Dauda Momoh.
N500 million skill acquisition and multipurpose center was launched, with donations received from governments, individuals and corporate organisations in support of the initiative.
Represented by the secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashade Ayoade, the governor pledged to establish a primary health care center in the Apata community for residents’ well-being.
The governor acknowledged the leadership qualities of the Oba, which have contributed to significant growth and development in the Apata community and Lokoja Local Government Area.
Earlier, Oba Balogun expressed gratitude to God for the communal efforts he spearheaded upon assuming the throne, leading to unprecedented success in the community.
The royal father said: “It is my firm belief that if we continue in this spirit, we will remain a positive reference, and our community will keep expanding rapidly.
“Upon assuming the throne, I made the security of lives and properties in our community a top priority.”
He recalled leading efforts to establish a police post in 2015, building a block of four classrooms for L.G.E.A. primary school and another two-classroom block.
The traditional ruler praised former Governor, Alh. Yahaya Bello, whose commitment to improving living standards brought peaceful coexistence and development to the Apata community.
He also commended Governor Ododo, the first Kogi governor to visit Apata, for his significant interventions in the community’s development.
According to him, Ododo’s administration has enhanced security by engaging young men as vigilantes, donating a patrol van and providing motorcycles to protect lives and properties.
“I assure Alhaji Aliko Dangote and all our visitors that we have reserved land for development. You should seize the opportunity to establish businesses here,” he said.
He thanked Dangote Cement PLC for illuminating the Apata community, donating transformers, constructing boreholes, building classrooms, providing access roads and constructing culverts and drainage systems.
