The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has commissioned the newly completed 7.7-kilometre Gande-Male-Gwahitto-Fako Road and also performed a groundbreaking ceremony for a 500-unit Housing estate in Sokoto State.
The Kogi State Governor hailed 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 ₦2.2 billion through a partnership between the Sokoto State Government and the World Bank, cuts across Silame and Binji Local Government Areas. It’s expected to boost agricultural productivity by connecting rural communities to markets and easing movement across the state’s agricultural corridors.
While 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 “a lifeline for farmers, traders, and communities who now have direct access to economic opportunities.”
Ododo said, “You’re not just building roads; you’re opening up possibilities, reconnecting people to prosperity, and laying a solid foundation for inclusive growth.
“You’re busy constructing, not campaigning. And the people of Sokoto will remember this.”
Commissioning the road, he described the day as “a celebration of visionary leadership, inter-state collaboration, and the triumph of good governance.”
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.
The Governor of Sokoto State, His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, in his speech, expressed gratitude to the people of the state for their continued support and trust, reaffirming his commitment to fulfilling every campaign promise.
“The Gande-Male-Gwahitto-Fako Road is another promise kept. This project is part of our administration’s broader vision to drive development to rural areas and ensure no community is left behind.”
He described the road as a key part of his infrastructure agenda, adding that the collaborative funding with the World Bank reflects his administration’s commitment to transparency and partnership for sustainable development.
Aliyu, also acknowledged the cooperation of the benefiting communities during the course of the project’s 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’ad Abubakar III, lauded Governor Aliyu for what he called “laudable and people-centred projects,” 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.
Ododo also used the occasion to pay tribute to former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, calling him a “father, mentor, and nationalist” 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 “a new era of infrastructure delivery driven by purposeful national leadership.”
