Businessman Inaugurates Projects In Kogi CommunitIES

A businessman and philanthropist, Idris Kashim Hussein has visited Dekina local government area of Kogi State and inaugurated some community projects.

He also kicked off new ones at separate evente that were attended by traditional rulers.

The tour began at Ogbabo Junction where hundreds of residents trooped out to welcome him. His convoy proceeded to Biraidu, where traditional rulers assembled at Emewe Opada to receive him.

His Royal Majesty (HRM) Acheneje Abdullahi, the Onu Ojomi and HRM Matthew Daikwo, the Onu Igbologwu, who spoke on behalf of the Onu Abocho, presented the first kola nut of the day and adopted Idris as a son of Biraidu.

At Emewe Opada, the Chief Imam, Bashiru Amodu, led prayers before Idris inaugurated the newly completed erosion control project which restored access to Lokoja, the state capital after six months of isolation of the community caused by a gully collapse. The community leaders said Idris singlehandedly funded the reclamation when he got wind of the peoples’ plight.

His foundation also cleared the school fees of 315 students of Ofoji Community Secondary School, where the principal, Yahaya Ocheni, joined community leaders, students and the president of the Biraidu Students Association of Prince Audu Abubakar University, Muhammad Egbojo, to present an award to the philanthropist.

Ocheni said the gesture had relieved parents of financial pressure and boosted students’ enthusiasm in learning. “We are not unaware of the numerous projects you have executed across Igala land,” he told Idris.

Abocho youth leader, Siaka Usman, also expressed appreciation to Idris, who responded by pledging to settle any outstanding fees and reaffirming his commitment to providing a borehole for the area before 15th January, 2026.

At Anyigba, the entourage visited the palace of HRM Shaibu Abu Okolo, the Ogohi Onu Anyigba. Idris apologised for installing an electricity transformer in Obeya Lile without first notifying the monarch, explaining that he acted after seeing a Facebook post detailing the community’s long struggle without power.

The Ogohi praised the gesture, describing the transformer as a personal gift to his subjects and declaring that the Igala kingdom remains grateful for Idris’s swift intervention.

The tour continued with the flag off of an electricity extension project at Ate Uge, where engineers are expected to be mobilised to the site by 15th December 2025. The final stop was at Etutekpe, where a large crowd welcomed him. Idris pledged to facilitate a mobile network coverage for the area and paid the school fees of some students.

Idris told journalists that his interventions were purely humanitarian. “As of today, I have no ambition for any political office. I am only a businessman who loves his people,” he said. He added that if communities ever called on him to contest, he would consider it in order to deliver more capital projects.

He thanked the Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, and the chairman of Dekina Local council, John Urah, for their leadership and developmental efforts, saying the foundation would continue to complement government initiatives.