Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has urged Kogites and other Nigerians living in theb United Kingdom to support the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu, project a positive image of Nigeria and invest in Kogi State’s development.

Speaking at a town hall meeting with Kogites and Nigerians in London on Thursday, Ododo said the country’s progress depends on the collective efforts of citizens at home and abroad. He called on members of the diaspora to contribute not only capital but also expertise, innovation and global networks to accelerate development.

According to him, the engagement was aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Kogi State Government and its citizens abroad in pursuit of sustainable development.

“You may have crossed oceans in search of opportunity, but you have not crossed beyond your identity. Bring home not only your investments, but also your ideas, expertise, innovation and global networks,” the governor said.

Ododo said the unity fostered in Kogi over the past decade has become the foundation for the state’s development, noting that residents have increasingly placed the common good above ethnic and religious differences.

“There was a time when our differences were exploited against us. Today, we understand that poverty has no tribe, hunger has no religion and underdevelopment respects no ethnicity. Our unity has become the engine of our progress,” he said.

The governor also defended the economic policies of President Tinubu, describing the administration’s reforms as difficult but necessary for the country’s long-term growth.

He said the removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the foreign exchange market and ongoing fiscal reforms have strengthened the finances of state governments, enabling greater investment in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and other critical sectors.

Ododo further highlighted Federal Government projects in Kogi, including the approval of the Kogi International Airport, the proposed Kogi Free Trade Zone, the Agricultural Processing Zone, efforts to revive the Ajaokuta Steel Company and the reconstruction of key federal roads.

He also cited Federal Government investments in security, agriculture, solid minerals development, tax reforms and policies aimed at improving the ease of doing business as measures that are restoring investor confidence.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu chose reform over comfort. Leadership is not measured by the ease of today’s decisions but by the prosperity they create for tomorrow,” he said, urging Nigerians to continue supporting the administration.

The governor said his administration has leveraged opportunities created by the Federal Government to expand road infrastructure, provide free education from primary to secondary school, pay public examination fees, improve healthcare delivery, expand health insurance coverage, mechanise agriculture and implement empowerment programmes for youths and women.

He described security as the foundation of development, saying collaboration with the Federal Government, the Office of the National Security Adviser and security agencies has improved safety for farming, commerce and investment.

Ododo also canvassed support for the state’s Rebrand Initiative, urging Kogites to become ambassadors of the state by promoting its investment opportunities and positive image.

“No nation rises above the story it tells about itself. Let us become ambassadors of hope, confidence and possibility because every positive story we tell about Kogi State and Nigeria opens another door to investment and opportunity,” he said.

Also speaking, the member representing Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Salman Idris, said the state government was working with the Federal Government to facilitate the resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company.

According to him, the project has the potential to redefine the economic future of Kogi and Nigeria.

Idris urged Kogites in the diaspora to support the state government by bringing home investments, technical expertise and professional networks.

Participants at the meeting commended the governor for engaging directly with Kogites in the diaspora and pledged to support the state’s development by mobilising investments and deploying their professional expertise.

They also expressed support for the Federal Government’s economic reforms, saying the measures would strengthen investor confidence and lay the foundation for sustainable economic growth.

The meeting ended with a renewed commitment by members of the diaspora to deepen collaboration with the Kogi State Government and contribute to the state’s development.