In a significant step towards the creation of Okura State, to be carved from the current Kogi State, the committee driving the initiative, led by retired federal Permanent Secretary, Chief Robert Audu, the Agenyi Attah Igala, has submitted its memorandum to the National Assembly Committee on Constitution Review.
This development marks a crucial milestone in the quest for statehood, as it fulfills one of the key requirements outlined in the Constitution.
The committee’s delegation, which accompanied Chief Audu to the National Assembly, comprised notable individuals, including: Engr. Alfa Ibn Mustapha, Dr. Yakubu Ugwolawo, Secretary of the Movement, Prof. Godwin Ogbadu, Dr. James Aduku Odaudu, Hon. Bala Zakari, Mr Emmanuel Labija Oliya, and Hon. Salihu Ameh.
A statement by Dr. James Odaudu, the Head, Mobilization and Public Enlightenment
Okura State Movement said the memorandum, which was formally accepted and acknowledged by the National Assembly, outlines the rationale and justification for the creation of Okura State.
The statement indicated that the “proposed state would comprise nine local government areas in the Eastern Senatorial District of Kogi State, including Ankpa, Bassa, Dekina, Ibaji, Idah, Igalamela-Odolu, Ofu, Olamaboro, and Omala.”
“The creation of Okura State has been a longstanding demand of the people of the region, who have been advocating for greater autonomy and self-governance. The region is blessed with abundance of natural resources such as petroleum, coal, limestone, marine and agricultural resources, tourism potentials etc.” the statement further indicated.
The Committee also submitted a separate memorandum seeking consequential legislation for the creation of additional local government areas from the existing ones in Ankpa, Bassa, Dekina, Ibaji, Idah, Igalamela-Odolu, Ofu, Olamaboro and Omala.
“It is worth noting that the local government areas in question were earlier created during the administration of Prince Abubakar Audu but were later abolished, just like it was done in Lagos State under the then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The committee is now seeking the restoration of the local governments through legislation” they called.
“This development has sparked optimism among supporters of the Okura state creation, who believe that the Tinubu administration has demonstrated the political will and determination to correct past injustices, especially as they relate states and local government creation exercises” the Committee called.
“The Okura State Movement and stakeholders strongly believe that our submission meets with the initial constitutional requirements and will be closely watching the National Assembly’s response and the subsequent steps that will be taken to bring the dream of the creation of Okura State and the restoration of the scrapped local governments to reality” the committee further submitted.
With the backup, support, and encouragement from the senator representing Kogi East, Senator Jibrin Isah (Echocho), the Deputy Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt.Hon Abdullahi Ibrahim (Halims) representating (Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro), Hon. David Zacharias (Idah/Ibaji/Ofu/Igalamela-Odolu), and Hon. Paul Gowon Haruna (Dekina/Bassa) the committee has taken a significant step towards realizing the long-standing dream for the creation of Okura State.
The Okura State Movement made it clear that the quest for the creation of the state is not an agitation borne out of any perceived marginalisation or animosity with other groups in the present Kogi State, but driven purely by the desire to bring development closer to the people and open more windows of opportunities.
