I am from Kogi State and I am proud of my state because of its numerous socio-economic opportunities. In other words, it is a state with a ‘confluence of opportunities.’ I recall I was overly elated when news of the unveiling of an emblem for my state reached me.
Though the public presentation of the logo surprised many with the presence of former governor Abubakar Audu, the conspicuous absence of ex-governor Ibrahim Idris stunned many, including yours truly. It was really a case of mixed feelings if I must add, but ordinarily I wasn’t surprised because once you are an ex, you tend to hide your head in shame, especially when you couldn’t make good use of the opportunities you had. I would assume that was what happened to ex-governor Ibrahim Idris. Nonetheless, could this be a sign that something is fishy? Those conversant with the dynamics of Kogi politics can place a finger or two.
But before Kogites appreciate the importance of this rare feat, they need to understand that a logo is not just a mark. Before you design a logo, you must understand what it is, what it represents, and what it is supposed to do. I sincerely wish the coming of this emblem will also usher in an era of productivity and realisation, both in words and deeds. We also have to look beyond the claims of being the gateway to the nation’s capital, to harnessing the opportunities that comes with it. This is the big news for us and the rationale behind this piece.
Some reading might wonder what the news in a state unveiling an emblem is. The news is that of a rebirth and a breath of fresh air. It’s quite hard to explain and more far-reaching than a few kilometres of substandard roads and what have you. This emblem gives us an identity and a sense of direction. This, in my opinion, is a solid achievement.
As a result of excitement and curiosity, I did a desk research on states in Nigeria with distinct identities such as ours, and I found out that only 10 states do. These are states that understand the importance of having a distinct identity and its attendant benefits.
Back to the crux, I have not particularly been a fan of the administration of Capt. Idris Wada, even though I have tremendous respect and admiration for his deputy, Arc. YomiAwoniyi. But with this recent development, I have been converted. Love it or hate it, this feat is worth celebrating. As a first, I took out time to really grasp the content of the logo and its implication for the future of our dear state.
The logo in consideration is an aesthetic image with a well-balanced colour play. To put it simply, it connotes the merging of knowledge with technology to deliver results. This is my interpretation. It might not necessarily tally with that of the promoters, but be that as it may, both or several interpretations would have a common meeting point given that a symbol is an object that represents, stands for, or suggests an idea, visual image, belief, action, or material entity. Just like a red rose symbolizes love and compassion, ours represents not just the confluence of opportunities, but the zeal to put these opportunities within the reach of ordinary Kogites.
Now to a specific description of the logo: it is circular in shape, as with most logos. The dominant colours are blue and white and lettering has ‘Kogi State’ written on top in an arch while at the bottom, in a similar shape, are the words, ‘Confluence of Opportunities’, an obvious reference to the state’s slogan. The inside portion is separated into three parts by a symbol of a confluence. In each section there is an image of an open book signifying knowledge; two ears of maize,signifying agriculture; and tools of technology.
A relationship exists among these symbols and the connection is really simple. To begin with, agriculture, which is the mainstay of a large percentage of the population of the people, can only be meaningful and done on a commercial basis through mechanized farming. The success of this wholly depends on the use of modern technology, and technological competence in turn is acquired through education.
The success of this initiative therefore will to a large extent be determined by how well the government can identify and harness the connection between these elements. The government needs to explore and exploit the interconnectivity and interdependence of these elements for speedy development and for the greater good of the people of Kogi State.
As I celebrate with the government of the day on the creation of this signature emblem, this is also a reminder that the journey has just begun. Expectations are rife. People prefer tangibles to figments, and the world is watching.
Joshua Ocheja
