'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER – Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has called for enhanced collaboration with the World Bank Group to advance development projects in critical sectors of the state's economy. Governor Ododo made this appeal during a working visit to the new Country Director of the World Bank Group in Nigeria, Dr. Ndiame Diop, at the Bank’s office in Abuja on Monday.
A statement today by his special adviser on media, Ismaila Isah disclosed that during the high-level engagement, Governor Ododo reviewed all ongoing World Bank projects in Kogi State and requested expansion in areas of critical interventions such as education, healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure. He emphasized that these enhancements would significantly boost the overall social and economic development of the state.
Governor Ododo also advocated for a programmatic approach to all World Bank interventions, aligning them with Kogi State's 30-year Development Agenda of shared hope and prosperity. This approach aims to ensure better coordination of all projects and programs in the state.
In response, Dr. Ndiame Diop assured Governor Ododo of his commitment to deepening cooperation and partnership with the Kogi State government. Dr. Diop expressed his eagerness to work closely with the Governor to accelerate the implementation of all ongoing World Bank projects and programs in Kogi State.
Governor Ododo, who was accompanied by the Chief of Staff, Honourable Ali Bello, commissioners, and senior government officials from the state, is the first Nigerian state governor to engage with the World Bank at this level under the new Country Director's tenure.