The people of Kogi State are unique: dogged and unrelenting in asking for what is due them. They are not a people to keep quiet and not demand from their leaders the dividends of governance. They expect optimum performance from public office-holders they elect or support. It is therefore expected that every leader or politician from the state, serving in any capacity – at the state or federal level – should be conversant with this unique attribute of the people of Kogi State. They should work hard to satisfy their expectations.

Since His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello, took the mantle of leadership of Kogi State, the people have never shied away from making their feelings known to him. They are vociferous in expressing their problems, demand solutions and suggest ways of making Kogi a better place for the citizens, all to the appreciation of the governor.

His Excellency was aware of the political and socio-economic quagmire the state was into; and the desire to see a better working Kogi was the chief reason he decided to contest the gubernatorial election. Bello is, therefore, well-acquainted with the problems of the state. He is not surprised or unnerved by the people's robust demand for solutions to the problems that bedevil the state.

The governor has brought a breath of fresh air to governance in Kogi State. Through his innovative thinking and hard work, his new direction administration is proffering effective and long-lasting solutions to deep-lying challenges that have been there eating away at the very fabric of the state, scrapping away the inefficiency in the system and the mind-boggling corruption that has stagnated, if not dragged the state backward. He is toiling to dislodge the corrosivestatus quoand, is evidently taking giant steps towards success in that regard.

Kogi State must progress to take her place among committee of the best performing states in Nigeria. And the job of seeing that happen does not rest with the governor alone, butallthe pubic office holders: senators representing the three senatorial districts, members of the House of Representatives, House of Assembly members and Local government administrators. While we are demanding performance from the chief executive of the state, we should not forget to ask questions of the other leaders present in the wheel of governance of our dear state. While the governor is toiling away, we must not forget to demand from other officials representing us performance and consistency.

The challenge of moving Kogi up from where it is now belongs to all of us from all nooks and crannies of the state and of whatever capacity, from the delegation representing the state's compartment of zones and constituencies in the National Assembly to the citizens who have the love and progress of the state at heart.

Let us decentralise our expectations and encourage concerted performance from all the officials vested with the responsibility of moving our beloved state forward.

Long live Kogi State!

•Minister, Senior Special Assistant to Kogi State Governor, writes from Lokoja.