The people of Bassa-Nge kingdom in Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State, have identified poor leadership as one of the problems retarding the development of the area for several decades.
They therefore called for unity and collaborative efforts by all sons and daughters of Bassa-Nge kingdom to fasttrack development in the land.
The people particularly called on the federal and state governments to bridge infrastructure gap in the area, especially the construction of the Shintaku-Gboloko-Oguma Road which has been in bad state for decades, saying this has affected the economic and social lives of the people negatively.
These were stated at the formal launching and unveiling of Bassa-Nge Progressive Union (BNPU) interim executive committee on Friday at Gboloko, headquarters of Bassa-Nge kingdom.
The programme also coincided with the 40th day prayers in honour of their late King, Brigadier General Abu Ali (rtd).
While unveiling the union, Mr. M.B Abdullahi, Makama- Daniya of Bassa-Nge Kingdom, and Secretary Board of trustees, said the occasion marked an important milestone in the journey of the newly incorporated Bassa-Nge Progressive Union.
Abdullahi said; “We have gathered not only to celebrate unity, but to lay a solid foundation for progress, accountability and purposeful leadership that will accelerate development in our land”.
He said that the interim executive committee was carefully constituted to provide direction, stabilize the structures and steer the affairs of the union during the transitional period of six months and urged all Bassa-Nge sons and daughters, at home and in the diaspora to give the team their full corporation and support to enable them succeed in their assignment.
There were paper presentations in honour of the late paramount ruler of the Kingdom, Brigadier General Abu Ali (retd), who they noted worked tirelessly for the unity, progress and development of the land during his life time.
In a paper presentation titled: “Strategic Importance of Bassa Nge Progressive Union as a tool for social and political emancipation of our people”, Dr. Abdulmumini Yakubu Umar, said the union must have good leaders with progressive minds and leadership qualities to avoid political and social risk.
Umar also said the leaders must ensure that there is unity among Bassa Nge speaking community, adding that they must also avoid socio-cultural imbalances in the community.
He said; “They must ensure that Bassa Nge children are adequately represented in local, state and federal government to enhance infrastructural development of our people.
Speaking in turn, Mr Jacob Edi, the Kakaki Bassa-Nge, said the union has developed a strategic development plan for the next 200 years, adding that within the next couple of years, the situation of the Kingdom will change for good.
Edi said; “The birth of the union is to harmonize all previous contending forces and forge a common front. This we believe will bring about accelerate development of the kingdom. Our late Chief always advocated a platform that can champion the course of the land and that is what we are having today”.
Other paper presentations included; “The legacy of late Etsu of Bassa-Nge Kingdom, Brigadier General Abu Ali (Retd), and his impact on the Kingdom, by Chief Julius Elukpo and “Unlocking the economic potentials of Bassa-Nge kingdom and the challenges of Leadership” by Dr. Yahaya Ndako.
In his acceptance speech, the interim President of the Union, Dr. Yahaya Ndako promised to work with his team for the progress and development of the Kingdom, saying; “we cannot afford to fail our people”.
