Business mogul and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Khalifa Abdulrahaman Okene has charged the people of Kogi State to take the progress of the state as a responsibility for all.
Okene who is the President of Khalif Cares Foundation, gave the charge on Saturday in a statement felicitating with the state on the occasion of her 31st anniversary.
He stated that Kogi is a microcosm of Nigeria and positioned to be amongst the top performing states in the country, which according to him, ought not to be a responsibility for government alone.
“Our state, Kogi, is blessed among equals in both human and natural resources, even more than many states in Nigeria. The prospects of our greatness are glaring to us, and they form parts of critical conversations for the past years.
“When we begin to highlight our potentials in agriculture, tourism, mining and entertainment. The list would be endless. That is to say, that we have no excuse to not be great.
“Our leaders in government have great roles to play in steering our ship to an enviable destination, but we must also awake the consciousness of fellow citizens that we also have about equal tasks in this. We have an obligation in ensuring peaceful coexistence, investing in the economy of the state and impacting humanity,” he said.
Meanwhile, he urged leaders in political positions to take their sworn oaths to heart, and serve the people with the fear of God.
Okene while congratulating the people and the Governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, added that even though the state has a lot ahead to achieve, it is not where it used to be.
He prayed for a continued peace in the state, and urged the people to cooperate with the security agencies to reduce criminal activities to the minimum.
“Insecurity has become the order of the everyday life of Nigerians, and we know how threatened we are for being a transitory channel to other states. This is saying that investments can only come to a much more secured society. Therefore, citizens must do well to complement the efforts of the government in securing lives and properties,” he said.