Civil society groups in Kogi State have expressed cautious approval of Governor Ahmed Ododo’s performance, citing noticeable progress in security and infrastructure during his first two years in office.
The commendation came from the Kogi Non-Governmental Organisations Network (KONGONET) in a statement jointly signed by its Chairperson, Hamza Aliyu, and Secretary, Reuben Joshua, and made available to journalists in Lokoja on Monday.
The network said the Ododo administration has recorded measurable improvements across key sectors, including security, healthcare, education and infrastructure development.
In its review of the governor’s two-year stewardship, KONGONET acknowledged both achievements and areas requiring urgent attention.
The organisation noted that the government has made progress in road rehabilitation, healthcare delivery, and agricultural development, while also strengthening security through collaboration with federal security agencies and support for community-based initiatives.
However, the group expressed concern that unresolved challenges in water supply, waste management and citizen engagement could erode the gains already recorded.
It pointed out that many rural communities continue to suffer from poor road access and inadequately equipped health facilities.
KONGONET also described the water crisis in Lokoja as severe, saying residents increasingly depend on unsafe water sources or costly private suppliers.
According to the group, ineffective waste management has further exposed the state capital to environmental and public health risks, reinforcing its negative reputation for poor sanitation.
While acknowledging relative improvements in security, the organisation said pockets of insecurity remain, especially in border communities where attacks still occur.
KONGONET urged Governor Ododo to introduce quarterly town hall meetings to strengthen public trust and ensure citizen participation in governance, as well as improve procurement transparency through the publication of annual procurement plans.
The group also called for urgent investment in sustainable water projects, improved urban sanitation, and the introduction of a functional mass transit system in Lokoja to ease transportation challenges.
It further advocated support for the development of a Social Protection Policy Framework and the appointment of statutory boards to promote accountability and transparency.
“As the administration approaches the latter part of its tenure, how these challenges are addressed will significantly influence public perception and define the governor’s legacy,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of Conscience for Human Rights and Conflicts Resolution (CHRCR), Idris Abdul, also recognised the administration’s efforts in salary payments, peacebuilding and security improvement across the state.
Abdul, however, stressed that substantial work remains in sectors such as transportation, housing, water resources, tourism, human capital development and healthcare.
He described the two-year mark as an important milestone but noted that it is insufficient to fully assess the long-term success of the administration.
Abdul further called for sustained security strategies driven by community participation, while urging the governor to hold regular town hall engagements, streamline the size of his cabinet and appoint professionals with relevant expertise to accelerate development in Kogi State.