Ododo courts UK diaspora support for Tinubu’s economic agenda, Kogi development

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has called on Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly Kogites residing in the United Kingdom, to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms while channeling their investments, expertise and global networks towards the development of Kogi State and the country.

Speaking during a Town Hall Meeting with Kogites and Nigerians in London on Thursday, the governor described the diaspora as critical partners in nation-building, urging them to contribute not only financial resources but also knowledge, innovation and international experience capable of accelerating sustainable development.

According to him, the gathering was more than an opportunity to reconnect with citizens abroad; it was a platform to strengthen collaboration between the diaspora and the Kogi State Government in pursuit of inclusive economic growth.

“You may have crossed oceans in search of opportunity, but you haven’t crossed beyond your identity. Wherever you excel, our homeland is honoured. Wherever you break new ground, our flag flies a little higher,” Ododo said.

He challenged members of the diaspora to seize the moment by returning home with investments and ideas that could transform communities and create opportunities for future generations.

“Bring home not only your investments, but also your ideas, your expertise, your innovation and your global networks. Nations are transformed not only by the wealth their people send home, but by the knowledge, values and vision they bring home,” he added.

The governor said the unity deliberately nurtured in Kogi over the last decade had become the foundation for the state’s rapid transformation, noting that residents had risen above ethnic and religious differences to pursue shared development goals.

“There was a time when our differences were exploited against us. Today, we understand that poverty has no tribe, hunger has no religion and underdevelopment respects no ethnicity. Our unity has become the engine of our progress,” he said.

Ododo also defended the economic reforms introduced by President Tinubu, describing them as bold but necessary decisions aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s economy for sustainable growth.

He argued that the removal of fuel subsidy, foreign exchange reforms and other fiscal measures had strengthened the financial capacity of states, enabling greater investment in infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture and other critical sectors.

President Tinubu

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu chose reform over comfort. Leadership isn’t measured by the ease of today’s decisions but by the prosperity they create for tomorrow.

“If we were dissatisfied with past leadership, we have no reason to transfer that dissatisfaction to an administration that is already correcting the mistakes of the past. Nigeria can only get better if we continue to support him and his reforms,” the governor stated.

Highlighting the Federal Government’s interventions in Kogi State, Ododo listed the approval of the Kogi International Airport, the Kogi Free Trade Zone, the Agricultural Processing Zone, ongoing efforts to revive the Ajaokuta Steel Company and the reconstruction of major federal roads as key projects capable of transforming the state’s economy.

He added that sustained federal investments in security, agriculture, solid minerals development, tax reforms and ease-of-doing-business initiatives were restoring investor confidence across the country.

The governor said his administration had leveraged these opportunities by expanding road infrastructure, providing free education from primary to secondary school, paying public examination fees, improving healthcare delivery, expanding health insurance coverage, promoting agricultural mechanisation and implementing empowerment programmes for youths and women.

Describing security as the foundation of development, Ododo said close collaboration with the Federal Government, the Office of the National Security Adviser and other security agencies had created a safer environment for farming, commerce and investment.

He also urged Kogites across the world to become ambassadors of the state’s rebranding campaign by promoting its investment potential and correcting negative narratives.

“No nation rises above the story it tells about itself. Let us become ambassadors of hope, confidence and possibility because every positive story we tell about Kogi State and Nigeria opens another door to investment and opportunity,” he said.

Speaking at the event, the member representing Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Salman Idris, said Governor Ododo was working closely with the Federal Government to facilitate the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, describing the initiative as one capable of redefining the economic future of both Kogi State and Nigeria.

He commended the governor’s development agenda and urged Kogites in the diaspora to support the administration through investments, professional expertise and strategic partnerships.

Participants at the town hall meeting praised the governor for engaging directly with Kogites abroad, describing the interaction as unprecedented. They commended his administration’s achievements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, security and economic development, while pledging to mobilise investments and deploy their professional expertise to support Kogi State’s continued growth.

They also expressed support for President Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying the policies were strengthening investor confidence and laying the foundation for long-term national prosperity.