*Unity Yielding Results: Kogi AG Okala Donates Boreholes to Ajaokuta Communities on Behalf of Gov. Ododo*

By Our Reporter. 

The Kogi State Auditor General, Hon. Y.Y Okala, has  commissioned and handed over newly constructed boreholes to the people of Ganaja, Emiworo, and Gadumo communities in Ajaokuta Local Government Area, stating that the projects are dividends of unity and support for the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony at Gadumo, the final leg of the handover, Hon. Okala said the water projects were a direct outcome of a stakeholders’ meeting held on January 17, 2026, at Goshen Hotel. The meeting, which mobilized women, traditional rulers, youths, party faithful, and residents across party lines, identified water, roads, electricity, and healthcare as the most pressing needs of the Ganaja community.

“Today, we have started seeing the benefits of that unity. When we all gathered together on January 17, we agreed to move forward together. This is the benefit of working for the government. This is the benefit of supporting the government that is already on the seat,” Okala stated.

He noted that beyond the boreholes, other interventions were already underway, including the Otokiti-Wada  bypass road to Zone 8 junction, where the contractor is “seriously working,” and the reactivation of a healthcare facility in Gadumo by the state government.

Okala contrasted the current administration’s responsiveness with past political experiences, urging residents to support the government at the state and local levels. “The best government that you can work for and to provide for your needs is the government of your state. You need to vote for your House of Assembly member, and you need to vote for your chairman of your local government,” he said.

The Auditor General also highlighted a political milestone for the area, announcing that for the first time since the creation of Ajaokuta LGA, Ganaja will produce the next council chairman in the person of Hon. Haruna Ganaja “You can see that because you have supported the government, we are now seeing the dividends of democracy even before Hon. Haruna has assumed duty,” he added.

According to Okala, the borehole project plan includes six boreholes for the area. Three were constructed and donated by him on behalf of Governor Ododo, with the Gadumo project being the last of his three. One has been donated by “our mother, Hajiya Adiza Ibrahim,” while two others are expected from community stakeholders, including one pledged by the Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Comfort, a resident of Ganaja.

“By the special grace of God, the six will be done as agreed. We have done our own. Powerful is also going to do his own, and she should try and come and do hers very soon so that we know that the six water projects have been completed,” Okala said.

He dedicated the projects to Governor Ododo and to the immediate past governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello  whom he described as “our supreme leader,” and prayed for peace, health, and continued progress for the communities.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, chairmanship candidate for Ajaokuta Local Government Area, Alhaji Haruna Ganaja,  commended the Kogi State Government for extending development projects to Ganaja and its environs, noting that the presence of government was now being felt in the area. He spoke at the commissioning of a borehole project in Gadumo community, the third of such projects unveiled in a single day across Ajaokuta LGA.

Alhaji Haruna, while welcoming dignitaries to the event, disclosed that the team had earlier commissioned similar water projects in Emiworo and at Malam Hassan’s area in Ganaja before arriving at Gadumo for the final handover. He expressed appreciation to God and to “our leader” who facilitated the interventions, stressing that the projects showed the administration’s commitment to the people of Ganaja.

“To whom much is given, much is expected, and we assure you that this gesture will not be taken for granted,” he said, adding that the people of the area remained grateful for the development strides.

His Royal Highness, Chief Yahaya Salifu, the Ogohi Attah and Onu Igala of  Gadumo expressed appreciation to key stakeholders whose collective commitment made the recent water projects in Ajaokuta Local Government Area a reality. 

Speaking on behalf of the Igala people and residents of Ganaja and its environs, the royal father said the projects were a testament to the power of collaboration and renewed Igala unity in the area. He noted that the interventions have brought clean water to the communities and laid a foundation for health, opportunity, and human development.

Chief Yahaya Salifu specifically commended the Kogi State Auditor General, Hon. Alhaji Y.Y Okala, describing him as the anchor of Igala unity in Ganaja. He stated that Okala single-handedly drilled three boreholes at separate locations in Gadumo, Ganaja, and Emiworo, each equipped with two elevated 2,000-litre storage tanks and four distribution pipeline taps to serve residents. The monarch also lauded the Honourable Commissioner for Humanitarian Services and Poverty Alleviation, Chief Hajia Rabietu Baby Okute, Iyebule Nyete, for her selfless service to humanity, including the drilling of a borehole along Sheik Hassan Road, as well as her continuous empowerment of women and provision of clothing within and outside her constituency. 

He added that Hon. Usman Ochidi, member of the 8th Assembly representing Dekina/Biraidu, was also appreciated for his moral and financial contributions to the cause.

Further appreciation was extended to Rt. Hon. Comfort Nwuchiola Egwaba, Iyebule, for her support and efforts toward ensuring unity in Ganaja and its environs, with the monarch noting that she attends to the community whenever called upon. He equally recognized the contributions of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Print Media and the APC chairmanship candidate for Ajaokuta LGA, Hon. Haruna Muhammad Ganaja, describing him as a political emancipator who carries everybody along irrespective of tribe, ethnicity, or religion. Chief Salifu said Ganaja had donated land for the development of an Igala Unity House in Ganaja and praised his consistent inspiration to the people. 

 

The royal father also acknowledged the ICDA Chairman in Ganaja and its environs, Hon. Prince Idoko Daniel Ogacheko, alongside Alhaji Abuh Musa Abuh, Elder Solomon Amana, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammad, and Chief Dr. Isah Obele, for their support, patience, and wisdom in promoting peace and unity.

In a remark chief Habiba Ibrahim who spoke unbehalf of women chiefs commended Hon. Y. Y. Okala for keeping to his promises to the people. 

She assured that the people will reciprocate his gesture at the appropriate time praying that God bless him and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo. 

A Woman Leader  in the area Hajia Salamatu Yahaya expressed gratitude to the Governor for his love for the people of the area. 

She called on government to extend it's empowerment programs to the Women in the community to alleviate their sufferings.

The Auditor  General was accompanied on the commissioning the commissioner for humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation Hajia Rabiat Okute,the kogi east zonal chairman of the APC Hon.Ogwu Alhassan,Hon.Usman Ochidi- Dekina/Biraidu constituency, government appointees and community Leaders.

Hassan Abubakar-Editor.