TheCable

Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state, on Thursday said he met the state in a shambles, but expressed optimism that his administration will turn the situation around.

Speaking in Lokoja, the state capital, after receiving an award from Jacco’s Charity International, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Bello said though the challenges were high, he will put in his best.

“It is a very wonderful gesture, and I really appreciate that you recognise the little we are doing in the state,” he said.

“Actually, we met the state in the shambles. This is a change government, we are really out to take our destinies in our hands and put the state on the path of development.

“We have done the little we have to do, so far so good. The challenges are high, but we believe we can overcome it.

“We are determined to make sure that our state is on a path of development and we will continue to do it with this encouragement and recognition that you are giving to us.

“It is really going to boost us and then we promise to do more.’’

Jordi Frank, president of the organisation, said the award was in recognition of Bello’s humanitarian services.

She commended him for his interest in the less privileged, wishing him the best in his endeavours.

“We actually did a research on you sir, and we discovered you help a lot of helpless children, orphans in the endangered female African child,” she said.

“Your Excellency, we want to say a big thank you for helping the less privileged kids, and also this scholarship programmes you are doing for the undergraduate students within the country and also internationally.”