By Faith Adikeh. MLC Tv

Kogi State Forum of Senior Special Assistants has empowered one hundred and twenty traders with a sum of fifty thousand naira each.
The event which was first launched in October 2024 with the empowerment of hundreds of petty traders cut across the three senatorial districts.
The Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo during the relaunch of GOBO in government banquet hall in Lokoja to commemorate the governor’s one year in office, assured Small and Medium Eterprenuers of his administration’s support to continue to make the state conducive for businesses to thrive.
On this happy occasion, to mark Governor Ododo’s one year in office, the state government SSAs appointees gorgeously dressed in their white attire with T-shirts, and caps boldly written, Gov. Ododo business outreach (GOBO). It was a welcome development witnessed so far by the people.
In government, Abraham Lincoln defined Democracy as the government of the people, by the people, if that is the case, the question now is how would the government gets to the people who elected them into. offices without being biased, the answer is not far from reality by what was demonstrated by the forum of Senior Special Assistants to the Governor through an initiative of a pet program, called GOBO
This initiative was warmly embraced by all colleagues and the move began by tasking themselves which was also accepted.
During this first business outreach, over a hundred traders benefited with a sum of Twenty thousand naira each. This singular move attracted accolades from all quarters commending the SSAs for their good gesture.
In opening remarks during the relaunch to mark one year of Governor Ododo in office, the forum chairman, Yahaya Shehu Ahmed thanked Governor Ahmed Ododo for appointing them and giving them the platform to represent the government at the grassroots.
Governor Ododp who patiently sat among the SSAs was highly delighted at what he defined as the first of his kind initiative by SSAs to better the lives of the people since the creation of the state.
The Governor said he has been following all their activities despite his busy schedule even when the forum moved from Markets to markets across the three senatorial districts.
The excited Governor announced his support and promised the people of kogi to prepare for more gains of democracy throughout his remaining years in government.
“Today we are here to once again recognise that we have been elected and appointed to serve our dear state, and I thank you all for making me fulfil that what God has used us to do, we have never made a mistake.
“Before now, the state have been having SSAs, SAs, Commissioners, DGs, but what is happening at this particular time is unique, meaning that, the people of kigi state are gradually waking up and getting to know that we have value. Governance is not only when you are being given a position, it is not only when you are elected or appointed to be the chief servant, governance is the responsibility of all.
“Me as a person, what I know how to do best is giving back to the community and this forum is another forum that has chosen to assist. meaning that, you don’t want me to grow older very soon. That is why when I am moving around anywhere in this country, I.move very tall because I know I have you people”. Governor Ododo said.
He commended them for their timely intervention and the launching of the first and second GOBO. He described the gesture as an extension of good governance to the grassroots from which he grew.
Governor Ododo thanked his predecessor and expressed his profound gratitude to the president of Nigeria, Ahmed Bola Tinubu who through his various programmes has restored hope to many.
According to the chairman of the forum, Yahaya Shehu Ahmed, being an SSA is not a call to enrich your pocket but to represent the present administration whose genuineness to move every citizen away from the poverty line, and closer to the government, mandated them to give back to the society in their little ways.
“Governor Ododo Business Outreach is an initiative aimed at empowering petty traders across various markets in kogi state.
“We were in Ankpa Kogi East where we went to the central market to empower petty traders, we also want to Okene central market, kogi central to empower petty traders also.
“Also in Lokoja, Kabba in kogi west.
“I can assure you, this project is meant to improve social economy activities of the state and also boost economic support for petty traders in the state. ..he added
Talking about how easy it is to convince all SSAs to key into the vision, Yahaya said it is all about the passion and clear vision communicated to them and that contributing towards a call to make people happy becomes easier.
“we had ourselves by contributing a fraction if our salary into this project and since then, we have been waxing stronger and growing stronger.
“We realised our governor is a man of the people, a man who thanks about empowering people and ensuring that not just the appiintees are well taking care of but the people who don’t have opportunity if being appointed. So, we took this initiative by ensuring that we device a means of reaching out to petty traders because we believe that one I the things is that leads to economic development of any state or country is the micro economic system, if we are able to reach out to this people, then the state will be strong economically.
The forum with her structures set in all local government and federal constituencies assured the people of kogi that the administration of Ahmed Ododo will continue to do more to better their lives.
The first launch was in October 2024 where close to 200 traders benefited and over a hundred benefited from the second phase, targeting more to be reached in their next outreach.
A beneficiary who spoke to journalist, Salihu Habibat appreciated Governor Ododo for appointing those who will help hm to realise the vision he has for the people. She thanked them for the financial empowerment .
Over 200 indigent traders have benefited so far since it first launched in October till date.
Highlights of the event is the presentation of a cash gift by the governor to a few traders to mark the anniversary of the administration
The Governor was accompanied by his chief of staff, Aliu Bello, commissioners, Chairman of Lokoja local government, Academic union of Bida Polytechnics and other top government officials.