President Bola Tinubu announced on Sunday that the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, once abandoned, is now close to completion and has the potential to provide employment for 500,000 Nigerians when it becomes a designated free trade zone.
Furthermore, the President assured that upon completion, he would fully utilize the capabilities of the Complex to stimulate foreign direct investment in Nigeria and foster a business-friendly environment conducive to the growth of all sectors.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, acting on behalf of the President, shared this update during the launch of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, in preparation for the November 11 gubernatorial election.
VP Shettima, while speaking to a massive assembly in Lokoja, made it clear that Tinubu is resolute in seeing through the construction of the River Niger, Kabba-Lokoja, and Abuja-Lokoja road developments.
VP Shettima stated that President Tinubu is a leader brimming with ideas and a strong determination to restore the nation to its rightful position, with a specific focus on restructuring and revitalizing the Nigerian economy.
A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, quoted Shettima as saying, ‘Given Mr President’s commitment to the development of Kogi State and indeed the entirety of Nigeria, Kogi in particular being a confluence state, cannot afford to have a governor who is hostile to the center. We must be partners in progress and work hand in hand to develop this great nation.’
He further indicated plans by the Tinubu administration to make the Itakpe crop processing project a dream come true, just as he promised jobs and affordable education under the present government.
Stressing once more that the welfare of the people will never be intentionally compromised, VP Shettima appealed to the residents of Kogi to participate actively on November 11 by casting their votes for the APC candidate, Ahmed Usman Ododo, in a bid to build upon the achievements of the APC administration in the state.
He went on to say that Kogi State’s wealth of natural resources would be utilized for the state and the nation’s progress, noting that President Tinubu has greenlit the reconstruction of the Obajana-Okene road in Kogi State.
Prior to this, Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello thanked President Tinubu for his willingness to kick off the gubernatorial campaign in the state. He also highlighted that his administration has accomplished a great deal and underscored the importance of consolidation to propel the state forward.
‘We have done a lot in the area of security, education and health, among others. We want to consolidate on that. I am, therefore, calling on the people of our dear state to vote for our candidate in order to move Kogi State forward,’ he said.
On his part, APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, said because Governor Yahaya Bello has provided good governance to the people of Kogi, the state cannot afford to be left behind by giving power to another party different from the one at the center.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, acting as the Chairman of the APC Campaign Council for Kogi State, urged the people of Kogi to verify the status of their voter cards and participate in significant numbers in the November 11 governorship election to vote for the APC candidate.
Ahmed Ododo, the APC candidate for the governorship of Kogi State, assured that he would involve the state’s residents in governance if elected. He reiterated his strong dedication to the developmental objectives of Kogi State.