Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo has intensified consultations and reconciliation in the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He has visited Prince Mohammed Audu, son of the late former governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, and held discussions focusing on the development of the state, strengthening the state’s economy and improving the welfare of its people.

According to the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the governor and Prince Audu discussed ways of strengthening Kogi State’s economy through improved agricultural production and a more efficient cashew value chain that would enable individual farmers and the state to derive greater economic benefits from the sector

Fanwo said the discussion was part of Governor Ododo’s broader engagements with stakeholders on practical ways of expanding economic opportunities, supporting farmers and creating greater value from the state’s agricultural resources.

Prince Audu expressed his readiness to work with Governor Ododo to attract development to Kogi State, noting the importance of cooperation among stakeholders in advancing the interests of the state.

He thanked Ododo for being the first serving governor to visit his home, despite his longstanding relationships with several former and serving governors, and commended the humility demonstrated by the governor

Audu also appreciated Ododo for organising the 10th anniversary ceremony marking the passing on of his father and for naming a road after him as Prince Abubakar Audu Boulevard.

According to Fanwo, Audu said the gesture demonstrated that Kogi State would continue to remember and honour his father, whom he described as a man who laid the democratic foundation of the state.

He expressed appreciation to the former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for returning the then Kogi State University, Anyigba, to its original name, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, describing the gesture as an honour the family would cherish forever.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for discussions on strengthening understanding and cooperation among political stakeholders in the state, particularly within the All Progressives Congress (APC), aimed at fostering reconciliation, strengthening relationships and promoting unity within the party in order to build a common platform around the political and developmental interests of Kogi State.

Prince Audu urged Governor Ododo to sustain his reconciliatory efforts, noting that the engagements were already yielding positive results.