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The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Edward Onoja on Thursday said Governor Yahaya Bello made him the most visible, active and respected Deputy Governor in Nigeria.
Onoja said this in a post of gratitude shared on his official Facebook page on his second anniversary as Deputy Governor.
He said Governor Bello has assigned him to duties that his colleagues in other states can never dream of.
Onoja who was the Chief of Staff to the Governor for four years, recounted how he was elevated.
In the early hours of 21st October 2019, there was still a distressing patina of uncertainty over my fate as the one designated to step in as Deputy Governor of Kogi State, following the exit of the previous occupant.
“I had tarried in prayer all night, worried that events were pushing me towards an office I had never desired (at the time) and in which I might be less useful, or so I feared, to my boss, Governor Yahaya Bello. As his Principal Aide and Man-Friday at the time, I was ready to do all and everything he required of me, including resigning as Chief of Staff. While waiting in limbo till he had me sworn in as Deputy Governor, I took consolation in knowing that his nominating me to the post was the highest sign of his trust in me up to that moment.
“Still, one is human and one had to worry by daybreak of the day of one’s swearing-in and no one has been designated to swear you in by the Judicial Arm. Then at exactly 9 am a call came in and I was called forth to my investiture. A couple of hours later it was all over and I was the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, duly sworn in. I can only pray the Almighty God to continue resting the soul of Honourable Justice Nasir Ajanah, former Chief Judge of Kogi State,” he said.
He thanked the Governor for trusting him after the former occupant, Simon Achuba “letdown” his boss.
“Nothing else remains to be said except to acknowledge that Governor Yahaya Bello is the one whom God has used to unwrap my potentials, causing me to shine forth to the Glory of God and in service to our people.
“No doubt, God can use His servant Governor Yahaya Bello to do the same for our country Nigeria. By the uniqueness of what only God can do, we look forward to it!” he added.
