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Senator Ohere Celebrates Former Governor Yahaya Bello at 50, Commends His Legacy of Transformational Leadership
Abuja, Nigeria – Senator Abubakar Sadiku Ohere, former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content and representative of Kogi Central Senatorial District, has extended warm felicitations to the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, on the occasion of his 50th birthday anniversary.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Senator Ohere described the former Governor as a visionary leader whose governance redefined public service delivery in Kogi State and inspired a new generation of leaders across Nigeria.
“Governor Yahaya Bello is a rare breed in our political landscape—bold, deliberate, and uncompromising in his commitment to unity, security, and infrastructural development. His golden jubilee is not just a personal milestone but a moment of reflection on a legacy built on courage, innovation, and unwavering dedication to the people,” the statement read.
Senator Ohere, who served under Governor Bello as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and later as Commissioner for Works and Housing, noted that the former Governor's administration brought unprecedented transformation to Kogi State across multiple sectors.
He credited Bello’s administration for stabilizing the state’s security architecture, introducing a people-centered development model, and bridging long-standing ethnic divides through deliberate policies that emphasized equity and inclusivity.
“Before Governor Bello assumed office, Kogi State grappled with deep-seated insecurity, inter-ethnic suspicion, and infrastructural decay. Through strategic interventions—particularly in community policing, youth empowerment, and grassroots engagement—he restored public confidence in government and repositioned Kogi as a model for subnational governance,” Senator Ohere remarked.
Highlighting Bello’s achievements, the Senator pointed to the construction of critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and public facilities, including the Ganaja Junction Flyover, Reference Hospital Okene, and the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre in Lokoja. He also lauded the former Governor’s reforms in education and healthcare, which saw the establishment of institutions like the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), revitalization of public schools, and significant improvements in medical access and services.
According to Ohere, Governor Bello’s policy on youth and gender inclusion remains one of the most progressive in the country, with women and young professionals occupying strategic positions at both state and local government levels.
“He institutionalized a culture of merit, brought women and young people into leadership spaces, and ensured a balance of representation among the three major ethnic blocs in the state—Ebira, Igala, and Okun—through the DINGO philosophy,” he added.
Senator Ohere also praised Bello’s fiscal discipline and revenue reforms, which led to the elimination of ghost workers, implementation of biometric payroll systems, and a significant increase in the state’s internally generated revenue from ₦350 million to over ₦1.5 billion monthly.
“Despite the economic challenges of the time, he ensured prompt salary payments, improved welfare for civil servants, and laid a sustainable foundation for economic growth through agriculture and industrial promotion,” the statement noted.
Refuting speculations of political differences, Senator Ohere reaffirmed his loyalty and respect for the former Governor, whom he referred to as “a mentor, pathfinder, and political architect whose influence continues to shape the present and future of Kogi State.”
“Whatever I am today in public service is a direct result of his faith in my capacity and character. His leadership has shaped many of us, and I remain committed to upholding the values he exemplified—service, accountability, and progress,” Ohere said.
As messages continue to pour in from leaders across the country, Senator Ohere’s tribute stands as a sincere endorsement of Governor Bello’s legacy and a reaffirmation of their enduring political alliance.