President Bola Tinubu has urged leaders at all levels to build bridges and prioritise dialogue as a tool for resolving differences and promoting national cohesion.
Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, made the call in Lokoja at the Kogi Dialogue, which was part of events to mark Gov. Ahmed Ododo’s one year in office.
“Dialogue is not just an opportunity to air grievances. It is the true path to justice, reconciliation and understanding.
“Without dialogue, history will pass us by, leaving us abandoned by time and forgotten by progress.”
He commended Ododo for launching the Kogi Dialogue, describing it as “a spark of wisdom and a critical step toward fostering reconciliation and progress.”
Tinubu particularly appealed to political and community leaders to be more amenable and unified in their support for the government to create the needed environment for growth.
“Now is the time to reject division and embrace unity as the only formula that works.
“Chaos and discord are ladders for the self-serving, but unity is the bridge that carries us all forward.
“Kogi State stands as a testament to what we can achieve when we recognise the strength in our diversity.
“From the confluence of rivers to the convergence of ideas, this state symbolises what Nigeria can become when we come together with purpose and vision.
“Let us ensure that personal desires do not pull against the collective current of unity and development.
“We cannot hope to build a stronger Nigeria if we allow division to fester at home. Leaders must rise above personal ambitions and put the welfare of the people first.”
Earlier, Ododo thanked Tinubu, Shettima and the people of the state for their support to his government.
He urged the people of Kogi to remain committed to the growth and development of the state, leveraging the opportunities and resources available in Kogi.
The governor listed the upgrade of healthcare centres and improvement of infrastructure in the education sector as some of his achievements.
For his part, the National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, applauded the cordial relationship between the current and former governors of Kogi.
He explained that a healthy relationship between a predecessor and his successor is necessary for the development of the state.
He urged other state governors to emulate the example set by Ododo especially in engendering development and improving party politics in the country.
Also, former governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi recalled the vision of the founding fathers of the state, noting with satisfaction that the current administration is moving in the right direction.
High point of the event was the commissioning of road projects executed by the Ododo administration in its first year in office.
