By Danfulani Lukman Ohinoyi
For many residents of Kogi Central, the administration of former Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello represents a period in which development, security and the expansion of public institutions received renewed attention.
From the streets and communities of Okene to Adavi, Okehi and Ajaokuta, Bello’s eight-year administration pursued projects and security measures that supporters say helped reshape the district’s development story.
One of the most visible legacies is the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, established in 2020. For families who previously had to send their children far away in search of university education, the institution created new opportunities closer to home and strengthened the educational prospects of young people.
In healthcare, the Reference Hospital in Okene and the Muhammadu Buhari Mother and Child Hospital in Iruvichonomi, Adavi, stand among the administration’s major investments. These facilities were designed to expand access to medical care, including specialist services and maternal and child healthcare.
Road construction and rehabilitation also featured prominently, with projects connecting communities across the district. Routes serving Ogaminana, Ebogogo, Eika, Kuroko and other communities were intended to ease transportation, improve access to markets and public services, and support the daily activities of farmers, traders and commuters.
But Bello’s record in Kogi Central was not limited to buildings, roads and hospitals. Security was a major priority of his administration.
At a time when armed robbery, violent gangs, thuggery and other criminal activities were serious concerns in parts of the state, his government strengthened support for security agencies through operational vehicles, motorcycles, patrol equipment, logistics and cooperation with conventional and local security outfits.
According to the Kogi State Security Trust Fund’s account of the administration, more than 100 Hilux vehicles and several motorcycles were provided to security agencies, while hundreds of patrol vehicles were refurbished. The fund also supported training for conventional security personnel, vigilantes and local security groups.
These measures were intended to improve patrols, intelligence gathering and responses to criminal activity. In communities where residents wanted to go about their business without fear of armed attacks, robbery or intimidation, strengthening the capacity of security agencies was an important part of the government’s response.
Bello’s administration also pursued a firm approach towards criminal networks and violent elements. For supporters, the message was clear: no community should become a safe haven for criminals, and law enforcement must be supported to protect lives and property.
Education remained another major area of intervention. Alongside CUSTECH, the administration promoted model science schools and the GYB Model Primary School programme, extending its education agenda to communities across the state.
In Okene, the renovation of the Ohinoyi’s Palace also represented an investment in an important traditional institution, while civil service reforms and salary-payment measures formed part of the wider governance agenda.
For ordinary residents, the significance of these projects is practical. A university means more educational opportunities for young people. A hospital brings medical services closer to families. Better roads can make journeys easier for traders and farmers. Stronger security arrangements are intended to give residents greater confidence to work, travel and conduct business.
These are the issues that make Bello’s record relevant to everyday life in Kogi Central, beyond the arguments of political opponents and supporters.
His administration was not without criticism, and the lasting performance of public projects must ultimately be measured by their functionality and benefits to residents. Nevertheless, the university, major healthcare facilities, road projects and documented security investments remain important parts of the record of his tenure.
For Bello’s supporters, his legacy is the combination of development and the determination to confront criminality. They argue that the projects established under his watch should be preserved, improved and judged by the opportunities they continue to provide to the people.
As Kogi Central looks to the future, the challenge is to sustain these institutions, maintain the roads, improve healthcare delivery and ensure that security agencies remain equipped to protect communities.
Ultimately, the strongest measure of Yahaya Bello’s legacy will be the difference these investments and policies continue to make in the lives of the people of Kogi Central.
– Comrade Danfulani Lukman Ohinoyi writes from Okene.
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