By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has donated N35 million towards the completion of the Takete-Ide community Civic Centre in MopAmuro Local Government Area, while promising government intervention on the deteriorating Orokere-Ayede-Takete-Ide-Aghara road and the troubled Owowo Bridge.
The governor announced the donation at the Takete-Ide Centenary Celebration and Development Fundraising ceremony, where he was represented by the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf.
Ododo, who described the centenary as a celebration of 100 years of history, heritage and community development, said Takete-Ide Amuro relocated to its present settlement in 1926.
He praised the community’s longstanding tradition of self-help, recalling how residents collectively established their first primary school, secondary school and health centre before government intervention.
The governor said the ongoing Civic Centre and Palace projects were important to strengthening traditional administration and preserving the community’s cultural heritage.
Making his personal contribution to the projects, he said: “On a personal note, I have released funds of N35 million towards the completion of the Town Hall project as my personal contribution to the development of this community.”
Beyond the donation, the governor also addressed one of the community’s major concerns: the poor condition of the Orokere-Ayede-Takete-Ide-Aghara road, particularly the Owowo Bridge.
He disclosed that government engineers were already assessing the situation and assured residents that the administration would intervene.
“Our engineers are assessing the situation, and I want to assure you that we will attend to the road in due course. When we make a promise, we are committed to ensuring that it is fulfilled,” he said.
Ododo urged the youths to sustain the community’s development legacy through education, entrepreneurship and collective responsibility.
He also appealed to indigenes living outside the community, particularly those in the diaspora, to invest in their ancestral home.
On security, he urged residents to cooperate with security agencies and provide credible intelligence to help protect lives and property.
Earlier, the Chief Host and Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, who is also the Commissioner for Information and Communication, described the centenary as an opportunity to celebrate the community’s history and renew its commitment to development.
Fanwo recalled the sacrifices of earlier generations in establishing educational and healthcare facilities, urging the people to preserve the unity and communal spirit that had driven their progress.
The Alamuro of Amuro Kingdom, HRM Oba Alfred Modupe Aiyedogbon, said the celebration provided an opportunity to showcase the kingdom’s cultural heritage and draw attention to critical development needs, especially the road and Owowo Bridge.
He urged communities to embrace self-help, noting that government could not meet every development need, while calling for sustained peace across the kingdom.
Similarly, the Baale of Amuro Kingdom, Chief Eric Fiki, said the week-long celebration was organised to honour past heroes, recognise living achievers and raise funds for the completion of the Civic Centre and Palace projects.
He reaffirmed the community’s commitment to self-help and expressed support for the administrations of Governor Ododo and President Bola Tinubu.
The National President of Takete-Ide Progressive Union (TIPU), Prince Richard Fiki, said the centenary was also designed to promote peace, love and unity, attract investments and secure government intervention in agriculture and other critical sectors.
Highlights of the celebration included the conferment of honorary chieftaincy titles on distinguished individuals for their contributions to community development, cultural performances and the presentation of gifts to the Special Guest of Honour.
One of the recipients of the honorary chieftaincy titles was Chief Adekunle Abogun.
