TRIBUTES His Excellency, Capt Idris Ichalla Wada is the immediate past Governor of Kogi state between January 2012-January 2016 on the pla...
TRIBUTES
His
Excellency, Capt Idris Ichalla Wada is the immediate past Governor of
Kogi state between January 2012-January 2016 on the platform of PDP.
Untill
his decision to join politics to contribute his quota both to the
developement of kogi state and Nigeria at large,Capt Idris Wada was a
household name in the aviation sector,both as a seasoned pilot and an
airliner, span for over two decades before retirement and later joined
politics.
Capt Wada
became a flying pilot in his early 30's after studying at the school
Aviation in Zaria and rose to the top echelon of his career as the sole
owner(Chairman,Chief Executive Officer,CEO) of EAS airline, for close to
three decades.
Wada
became an employer of labour in the organised private sector and had
contributed in no small measure both to the developement of aviation
sector,private conglomerates both within and outside the shores of
Nigeria.
As a pilot and
an airliner of high repute,Capt Idris Wada partner with both local and
foreign investors to promote the aviation business in Nigeria and
outside the country for years.
With
offices spread across major towns and cities of Nigeria,EAS airline
operated in Kano ,Lagos, Portharcourt and the Federal Capital
Territory,Abuja where functional airports are located at that time.
The
aviation expert whose career span over three decades had travelled all
over the world and flew the fastest and the biggest boeing 707 plane as
at then,while in active service,hence recognised as one the well trained
pilot in his time.
His
career in the avaition and airline business,saw him engaging many
Nigerians as workers in his EAS airline,and open up other opportunities
in both aviation and other sectors.
Capt
Wada's stint as an airliner,saw him with many fleets of aircraft in his
solely established EAS airline, while in operation, with full
operational base all over the world.
After
a successful career in the sector,Wada retired into business and ran a
full consultancy firm both in aviation and other fields of endeavours.
Wada's
overture into the political terrain was geared towards advancement of
human capital developement, infrastructure and economic emancipation of
the people of Kogi state.
Hence
in 2012, he was elected as Kogi state governor after a keenly contested
election and electionering campaigns in November 2011 under PDP.
For four years,Capt Idris Wada's administration witnessed all round developement in Kogi state.
With
enormous wealth of experience from the private sector driven
entity,Wada as Kogi state Governor,did not hesitate to set the ball of
developement rolling in all sectors of the state.
A
Patriotic and detrabalised Nigerian at the helms of affairs in Kogi
state then, he restored confidence,unity among the political class
across the state,not minding creed, religion or the section of the
state.
It was during Capt
Idris Wada,the unabated crises of youth restiveness and thuggery was
nip in the bud,by creating employment outlets for the youths in Kogi to
engage in gainful employment, through his 'YAD4kogi',hence rehabilitate
most of the recalcitrant youths.
He
ensured payments of arears of workers salaries and pension, and paid
salaries of state workers as at when due throughout his four years term
in office.
The immediate
past Governor sought and got a bail out fund of of 50.8 Billion
Naira,the highest in the country,meant for payment of workers one month
salary arears at the state and Local Government workers,but was denied
access to the fund by CBN .
It
was during Capt Idris Wada that Kogi state capital,Lokoja witnessed a
major face -lift befitting of a state capital, through the construction
of standard guage drainages on the major highways in the state
capital,and constructed the road from welcome to Lokoja at Zango to the
International market In Lokoja.
This
is in addition to open up the Otokiti- Ganaja village bye
pass,nicknamed as 'Wada Road' to reduce the usual gridlock at Ganaja
junction,as well as award a contract for the construction flyover across
the ganaja junction in a well articulated PPP arrangement.
He
provided Housing units for state workers at Crusher and Ganaja
villages,as well as made available a post flood housing scheme for
victims of floodings in Kogi state in 2013,as Kogi was the only state
that built such edifice in Nigeria.
Capt
Idris Wada initiated the Historical 5Km Kabawa embankment project span
to Kogi Confluence Hotel river bank to address the issue of yearly
floodings in the ancient town of Lokoja, and it's metropolis.
The
former Kogi Governor completed the ongoing projects before his
ascension which included the state Secretariat phase 2, Confluence
Stadium,Greater Lokoja Water works,as well as some rural and urban roads
within the state .
Wada
in the Ministry of information digitalized the three radio substations
in Ochaja,Egbe and Otite,as well as the headquarter in Lokoja, the state
capital to enable easy and fast access of information to the people of
the State, a printing press along with employment of new staffs..
He
embarked on legacy projects through a well bonded arrangement of 20
Billion Naira from the stock market that ensured the re-modeling of Kogi
Hotels in Lokoja,construction Kogi Terminal Park in Lokoja,Kogi House
in Abuja,as well as Kogi Diagnostic and imaging centre at the state
Specialist Hospital,the best in the North Central States.
Renovated
Lagos and Abuja liason offices belonging to Kogi state,and made
arrangements for PPP engagement in Kaduna liason office before his exit.
Establishment
of school of Health sciences in Kogi state University, Inaugurated 245
bed Kogi state University Teaching Hospital in Anyigba,as well as built
two students hostels for boys and girls in the same institution.
Capt
Wada embarked on iconic schools by construction of schools building and
colleges across the three Senatorial districts of the state,as well as
elevation of School of Nursing and Midwifery, Obangede and School of
Health Technology, Idah to a College ,to award HND degrees,along with
provision of funds for accreditation.
He
awarded Dekina township roads,Kabba township roads,Idah township
roads,Ankpa township roads,Mopa township roads,Egbe township
roads,Okene-Okehi-Kuroko-
Capt
Wada revolutionise Agriculture in Kogi state by embarking on
accelerated rice production program(ARPP) for the state, provision of
fertilisers for farmers, establishment of Alape processing zone in
collaboration with Federal government for cassava production in
commercial quantities,as well as provision of improved palm fruits and
other seedlings
His style
of administration stands him out among his colleagues,as Capt Idris
Wada will not say something in the morning and do another thing in the
evening/night.
A very
sincere politician of high repute,Capt idris Wada brought major
political stake holders in Kogi state into one fold,not minding their
political affiliation,ideology or belief,but towards the betterment of
Kogi state.
A strong
believer of public accountability and probity,the former governor Idris
Wada transparent leadership qualities was unrivalled,as he ensured the
account records of the state is updated,hence in his four years in
office,the state account was audited between 2012-2016 by a reputable
audit firm, and published in major National dailies for public scrutiny
and criticisms/assessment.
The
former governor grew the IGR base of Kogi state during his term from
250 Million to 550 Million and later 600 Million during his stint.
Capt
Wada attracted so many local and foreign investors into Kogi state
during his tenure,among them are the conglomerate and owner of Allo
cement factory,Itobe and so many others.
On
Health,Capt Wada constructed an orthopeadic hospital at Odu and
renovated all the General Hospitals in the 21 local government areas,as
well as upgraded some to Zonal hospitals,including the re-equiping of
the Central stores in the state capital.
He
demonstrated good working relationship with his Deputy Governor,Yomi
Awoniyi, Commissioners,Heads of Department, Agencies and
Parastatatals,as well as political appointees both at the state and
local government through seamless policies and programs of his
administration.
The four
years first term of Capt Idris Wada as Kogi governor was an eventful
period as social, economic and people's welfare took the centre stage
during his term.
Wada at
exit,did not left an empty treasury for Kogi state new leadership to
take off,it is on record that Kogi was bouyant at the exit of Capt Idris
Wada,unlike others State Governments.
On
the whole,he impacted and imparted exemplary leadership worthy of
emulation in line with the best practices throughout his four years term
in office.
Capt Wada was
a father to all and friends to even his political enemies,as he does
not believe in politics of acrimony, mudslingings and bad blood.
No doubt he is celebrated every now and then, and yearly at the turn of his Birthday.
As
he attains the septugenerian circle of life by clocking 70 years of
age, by August 26th, my prayers is more years in the services of
humanity and Nigeria at Large.
CONGRATULATIONS to the people's Capt, Happy Birthday His Excellency,Capt Idris Ichalla Wada.
Written By Abubakar Yusuf.
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