By Usman Atabo Ali

Since his assumption of office in May 2019 as the Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho has consistently demonstrated a rare breed of leadership, one rooted in integrity, sincerity, and an unmatched commitment to the progress and welfare of his people.

For a district that had long endured the shadows of poor representation, Senator Echocho has become a beacon of hope and a refreshing departure from a past marred by political opportunism and prebendal politics.

Unlike many of his predecessors, who treated representation as a mere ticket to personal aggrandizement, Echocho has remained deeply connected to his constituents, breaking the age-long myth that the duty of a Senator ends in legislative chambers.

In the past, Kogi East constituents were made to believe that Senators owed them nothing beyond sponsoring a few bills and then returning only during election seasons with meagre souvenirs dubbed as “empowerment packages.” One infamous incident even had a former senator showcasing his private estate as a “constituency project”, a glaring evidence to the self-centered politics of that era.

Today, that narrative has changed remarkably. Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho stands as a shining example of how legislative representation should be; people-oriented, development-driven, and deeply empathetic.

Through his deliberate and impactful interventions, he has not only earned the trust and love of the people but also redefined the role of a Senator as a true servant-leader.

One of the most glaring areas where Senator Echocho’s leadership has brought relief to Kogi East is in the area of infrastructure, particularly road construction and rehabilitation, a sector that directly affects the economic livelihood of the largely agrarian population.

Kogi East is blessed with fertile lands and remains one of the largest producers of cash crops like cashew nuts and palm oil, in addition to staple crops such as yam, cassava, millet, beans, and groundnuts.

However, for decades, the inability of farmers to transport their produce due to deplorable road conditions stifled economic growth and left many in perpetual poverty.

For over 40 years, the critical Shintaku-Gboloko-Odugbo-Dekina-Ajiyolo-Anyigba federal road, spanning over 133km, remained a death trap, worsening the hardship of farmers and traders. Previous senators made empty promises, but none took decisive action until Senator Echocho came into the picture.

On March 21, 2021, in a historic move, Senator Echocho raised a motion of urgent public importance on the floor of the National Assembly, drawing federal attention to the deplorable state of the road and the untold hardship it unleashed on his people. Not satisfied with merely raising a motion, he embarked on relentless lobbying, holding strategic meetings with relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), often accompanied by delegations from his constituency.

His resilience paid off as the Federal Government approved a massive N55 billion for the complete rehabilitation of the Shintaku-Gboloko-Odugbo-Dekina-Ajiyolo-Anyigba road with spurs to Ogbabo, Emewe, Abocho, and Olowa. The project, awarded to TEC Engineering, was flagged off with much fanfare.

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, at the flag-off ceremony, did not mince words in commending Senator Echocho’s dogged efforts. He stated: “Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho has not only justified the confidence reposed in him by our great party and the people of Kogi East but has set a new standard for legislative representation. His persistent advocacy for this road project is unprecedented. Today, we see the results of true leadership, and I thank him deeply for serving his people with such commitment and sincerity.”

The completion of this road will be a turning point in the economic fortunes of Dekina, Bassa, and surrounding LGAs. It will open up market access, facilitate trade, improve mobility, and boost agricultural activities. The positive impact on the lives of ordinary farmers and traders will be immeasurable.

Senator Echocho’s legislative impact transcends bills and motions. Recognizing the peculiar needs of his agrarian constituency, he designed his constituency projects to meet the everyday needs of his people. His projects touch multiple sectors — education, health, water, and roads, making him one of the most impactful senators Kogi East has ever produced.

For the first time in the history of Kogi East, a Senator undertook the construction of critical feeder roads such as the Odu-Ajagumu Road and the Ajekelaga-Alokoli Township Road in Dekina LGA, projects that have opened up rural communities and stimulated local economies.

In education, health, and water supply, Echocho has delivered projects that improve the standard of living in rural areas. He has facilitated the renovation and construction of classroom blocks, provided clean water sources, and rehabilitated healthcare centers, addressing basic needs that directly touch the lives of his constituents which we shall discuss further.

As the next election cycle approaches, Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho remains unchallenged, not just by virtue of political power, but because his scorecard speaks louder than any political rhetoric. His representation has erased the decades-old history of poor leadership in Kogi East.

Today, Echocho stands tall as one of the most popular political figure in Kogi, a status earned through years of purposeful leadership, transparent service, and a passionate drive to see his people progress. His name has become synonymous with integrity, sincerity, and development, qualities rarely seen in Nigerian politics.

Without doubt, Distinguished Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho is not just a representative of Kogi East; he is a reference to what true leadership should be. He is a bridge between the government and the people, a voice for the voiceless, and a leader committed to lifting his people from the trenches of neglect to the heights of progress.

Vanguard News