The Nigerian Guild of Editors has applauded the Kogi State government for its impressive performance in infrastructure, education and health.
The Guild gave the commendation during a tour of some projects initiated and completed under the administration of the former governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
Its president, Eze Anaba, who briefed journalists at the end of the project tour, said from what he and other editors had seen on ground, the former governor had left a legacy worthy of emulation in critical sectors.
He, however, added that his successor, Alhaji Usman Ododo, was doing well to consolidate on the good work of his predecessor.
The NGE was in Lokoja to hold its standing committee meeting. In all, about 40 editors, across the print, electronic and online media participated in the meeting. The editors used the opportunity to inspect some of the projects executed by the past administration in the state.
According to the NGE president, the Reference Hospital in Okene is one that can help the country in the area of medical tourism.
“Recently, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria told the whole world that medical tourism alone was costing the country a fortune. So, if Nigerians patronise this hospital, it will save this country a lot of money and help put our economy in good shape. With what we have seen here, Nigerians should be happy about it,” he said.
He continued, “The immediate past administration has left a legacy worthy of emulation.
I am appealing to the current administration to consolidate on the good work of the immediate past Governor of the state because he has done a lot in education, health and infrastructure development and such achievements should be sustained by the present administration.
“I and other members of the NGE have gone round projects executed by the Governor Yahaya Bello-led administration and I am saying this without mincing words that Kogi State is working and the current administration under Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is doing well to sustain the legacies of his former boss.
“Democracy is about the people and the facilities we have seen, including the network of roads. If the road network is strong like we saw, I am sure Nigeria will be better for it. I am highly commending the state government for what my team and I have seen so far,” he said.
The state commissioner for information Kingsley Fanwo and his health counterpart, Dr. Adams Abdulazeez, thanked the editors for finding time to inspect the projects and encouraged them to tell Nigerians exactly what they saw.
