LAGOS 鈥 Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State has performed a groundbreaking ceremony for 500-unit Housing estate and also commissioned the newly completed 7.7-kilometre Gande-Male-Gwahitto-Fako Road in Sokoto State.
He lauded Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State for his commitment to rural development, describing the initiative as a bold testament to people-focused leadership and responsive governance.
The road project, executed at a cost of 鈧2.2 billion through a partnership between the Sokoto State Government and the World Bank, cuts across Silame and Binji Local Government Areas. It鈥檚 expected to boost agricultural productivity by connecting rural communities to markets and easing movement across the state鈥檚 agricultural corridors.
Speaking at the ceremony yesterday, Governor Ododo commended Governor Aliyu for prioritising infrastructure and rural development, describing the road project as more than just an access route, but 鈥渁 lifeline for farmers, traders, and communities who now have direct access to economic opportunities.鈥
He said, 鈥淵ou鈥檙e not just building roads; you鈥檙e opening up possibilities, reconnecting people to prosperity, and laying a solid foundation for inclusive growth.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e busy constructing, not campaigning. And the people of Sokoto will remember this.鈥
While commissioning the road, he described the day as 鈥渁 celebration of visionary leadership, inter-state collaboration, and the triumph of good governance.鈥
The commissioning ceremony, which was followed by the groundbreaking of a 500-unit housing estate in the state capital, drew a high-profile audience, including traditional leaders, government officials, and community stakeholders.
In his speech, the Governor of Sokoto State, His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, expressed gratitude to the people of the state for their continued support and trust, reaffirming his commitment to fulfilling every campaign promise.
鈥淭he Gande-Male-Gwahitto-Fako Road is another promise kept. This project is part of our administration鈥檚 broader vision to drive development to rural areas and ensure no community is left behind.鈥
He described the road as a key part of his infrastructure agenda, adding that the collaborative funding with the World Bank reflects his administration鈥檚 commitment to transparency and partnership for sustainable development.
The Sokoto Governor, also acknowledged the cooperation of the benefiting communities during the course of the project鈥檚 execution.
He thanked Governor Ododo for accepting the invitation to commission the project, saying his presence underscored the unity and collaboration between states under the progressive banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In his royal remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa鈥檃d Abubakar III, lauded Governor Aliyu for what he called 鈥渓audable and people-centred projects,鈥 calling on residents to continue to support the administration.
He also urged stronger inter-state collaboration, particularly between Sokoto and Kogi, to open up agricultural corridors and improve market access for farmers.
Governor Ododo also used the occasion to pay tribute to former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, calling him a 鈥渇ather, mentor, and nationalist鈥 whose political foresight and unwavering support for Governor Aliyu continues to yield dividends for the people of the state.
He used the opportunity to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for creating the macroeconomic environment that enables state governments to implement impactful capital projects, noting that both the road and housing projects are symbols of 鈥渁 new era of infrastructure delivery driven by purposeful national leadership.鈥