Governor Ododo Signs 7 New Bills, Reaffirms Commitment To Impactful Leadership

The governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to impactful leadership. The governor stated this during the signing into law of seven new bills passed by the state House of Assembly in Lokoja, the state capital.

The bill according to Ododo marks a major milestone in institutional reform and people-oriented governance, reflecting the administration’s push for inclusive development, sustainability, and good governance.

The laws cut across critical sectors, including electoral reform, environmental protection, land administration, urban traffic regulation, and agriculture.

“Signing the bills is bold steps toward reshaping critical sectors of our development journey.”

“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,” he said, adding that their implementation will be pursued with “urgency, dedication, and fairness.”

Among the newly enacted laws is an amendment to the Kogi State Oil Producing Area Development Commission Law, which the Governor said will provide “a more transparent and structured development framework for oil-bearing communities.”

He noted that this aligns with national efforts to ensure resource-rich areas receive fair developmental attention.

A separate bill establishes the Kogi State Climate Change Agency, which Governor Ododo described as “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. According to the Governor, the legislation 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 featured prominently. The agency is expected to modernise land administration, eliminate bureaucratic delays, and promote investor confidence in the property sector.

Governor Ododo further signed the new Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) Law to strengthen legal frameworks for credible local government elections. He described it as a move to “bolster grassroots democracy and ensure more transparent civic participation.”

The amended Commodity Exchange and Export Promotion Law is also among the reforms, aimed at empowering farmers and boosting Kogi’s agricultural value chain. The Governor linked the change to his recent visit to Lagos, where he secured a strategic agro-economic partnership.

“Agriculture remains a backbone of our economy,” he said. “We are determined to make Kogi a major player in both national and international agro markets.”

Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Aliyu Umar, commended the Governor’s leadership and called the new laws “people-oriented.” He noted that some of the affected agencies had operated for over three decades without legal frameworks.

He also appealed to the Governor to digitise the Assembly complex to improve administrative efficiency, stating: “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.”

Governor Ododo closed the ceremony with a message of accountability and inclusiveness, warning that violators of the new laws, regardless of status, will face justice.

“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 soon, the administration is setting a fast-paced legislative tone driven by visionary policymaking and grounded, people-first governance.