In a major stride towards institutional reform and people-centered governance, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has signed into law seven landmark bills passed by the State House of Assembly.
The signing ceremony, held at the Government House in Lokoja, signals a significant legislative breakthrough that aligns with the administration’s agenda for inclusive development, sustainability, and good governance.
The new laws cut across critical sectors, including electoral reform, environmental protection, land administration, urban traffic regulation, and agriculture.
Speaking shortly after the signing, Governor Ododo described the bills as “bold steps toward reshaping critical sectors of our development journey” and reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to impactful leadership.
“These laws are not just mere words on paper; they represent our shared vision to improve lives and build institutions that work for the people,” the governor said.
He emphasised that implementation will be pursued with “urgency, dedication, and fairness.”
Among the bills signed is an amendment to the Kogi State Oil Producing Area Development Commission Law, which the governor said will deliver a more transparent and structured development framework for oil-bearing communities.
This, he said, aligns with national efforts to ensure that resource-rich areas receive fair developmental attention.
In a forward-thinking move, the governor also signed the bill establishing the Kogi State Climate Change Agency, which is responsible for environmental protection and promoting sustainable living.
The agency, according to Ododo, is a strategic tool for building “a safer, greener future for generations to come.”
Another key law restricts the movement of heavy-duty trucks within Lokoja metropolis. This legislation, the governor noted, is long overdue and necessary to reduce accidents, ease traffic congestion, and enhance safety in the capital city.
The establishment of the Kogi State Bureau of Lands also features prominently among the newly signed laws. The agency is designed to modernise land administration processes, eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, and encourage investor confidence in the property sector.
Governor Ododo also signed the new Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) Law, which aims to bolster the legal framework for transparent and inclusive local government elections, a move expected to strengthen democracy at the grassroots level.
Equally notable is the amendment of the Commodity Exchange and Export Promotion Law, which is poised to empower farmers and strengthen the agricultural value chain. The governor linked this reform to his recent visit to Lagos, where he secured a strategic partnership deal aimed at scaling Kogi’s agro-economic output.
“Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy. We are determined to make Kogi a major player in both national and international agro markets.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Aliyu Umar, lauded the governor’s proactive leadership and called the new laws “people-oriented”. He particularly noted that some of the newly backed agencies had been operating without legal frameworks for over three decades.
The speaker also appealed to the governor to digitise the assembly complex, highlighting the need to enhance administrative efficiency in line with modern governance practices.
“Governor Ododo has demonstrated that governance is not just about promises but about action. These bills reflect a new era of purpose-driven legislation in Kogi,” Umar stated, pledging the Assembly’s continued cooperation.
Governor Ododo concluded the ceremony with a strong message of accountability and inclusiveness, warning that violators of the new laws, regardless of their social status, would be held accountable.
He reiterated his zero-tolerance stance on impunity and called on Kogites to support the government’s efforts to drive meaningful change.
“I remain committed to delivering a Kogi State that works for all, where governance is measured not by rhetoric but by the lives it transforms,” the governor said.
With two more bills expected to reach his desk soon, Ododo’s administration is setting a fast-paced legislative tone, one that blends visionary policy-making with grounded, people-first governance.