Usman Okai, a political activist and former House of Representatives candidate, has issued a fervent call to Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo to address the pressing issues plaguing the state’s education system and dwindling civil service workforce. Okai paints a bleak picture of dilapidated schools and a shrinking workforce, urging the governor to prioritize these critical areas for the betterment of the state. His critique underscores the urgent need for intervention and calls for transparency and accountability from the state government.
Okai’s primary concern revolves around the deplorable state of primary and secondary schools across Kogi. He describes these institutions as “dead” and “desperate,” highlighting the urgent need for rehabilitation and modernization. He draws a stark comparison with states like Edo and Enugu, which have embraced “smart school” initiatives, urging Governor Ododo to emulate their success and provide Kogi’s students with access to quality education. While acknowledging the governor’s previous allocation of funds for WAEC fees, Okai stresses that infrastructural improvements are paramount. He specifically mentions schools in Dekina, Bassa, and Ofu Local Government Areas as examples of institutions requiring immediate attention. This focus on infrastructure emphasizes the need for a conducive learning environment to complement financial assistance for examinations.
Beyond the physical state of the schools, Okai also raises concerns about the declining civil service workforce. He criticizes what he perceives as inadequate recruitment efforts by the government, questioning the long-term sustainability of paying salaries to a shrinking pool of employees. He points to the controversial workforce screening exercise conducted under former Governor Yahaya Bello as a major contributing factor to this decline. Okai alleges that this exercise resulted in the dismissal of over 70% of the workforce without adequate replacements. This, he argues, has created a vacuum in essential services and placed an undue burden on the remaining employees.
The activist’s criticism extends to the financial implications of the shrinking workforce and its impact on junior employees. He alleges that many junior workers, who should be benefiting from the new minimum wage, are no longer in service. This, he claims, further exacerbates the economic hardship faced by many in the state. To substantiate his claims, Okai challenges the state government to publicly disclose the total number of current employees and the wage bill for both state and local government workers. This demand for transparency aims to bring clarity to the situation and allow for a more informed public discourse.
Okai’s concerns highlight a broader issue of governance and accountability. He argues that Kogi State has one of the lowest civil service workforce numbers among northern states, attributing this to the government’s failure to recruit replacements for retirees, unlike states such as Oyo. This comparison underscores the need for proactive measures to maintain a robust and functional civil service. By highlighting the practices of other states, Okai implicitly calls for Kogi State to adopt similar strategies for workforce management and recruitment.
Despite his critical assessment of the education and civil service sectors, Okai acknowledges the state government’s efforts in improving security, describing the progress as commendable. This balanced perspective recognizes the positive strides made in certain areas while simultaneously urging the government to prioritize the urgent needs in education and employment. He concludes by reiterating his call for the government to address the plight of workers and revitalize the education sector, emphasizing the importance of these areas for the overall development and well-being of Kogi State. The lack of response from the state government, despite attempts to seek comment, further underscores the need for open communication and engagement with public concerns.
