Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State has charged the pioneer batch of the National Forest Guards in the state to serve with discipline, integrity and patriotism as they begin the important task of protecting Kogi’s forests and communities from criminal elements. The governor expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing the National Forest Guards initiative. Governor Ododo noted that security remains the foundation of his administration’s development agenda, stressing that meaningful progress in agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure and commerce can only thrive in a peaceful and secure environment. The governor urged the new Forest Guards to see their uniforms as symbols of responsibility and not power. Governor Ododo said the success of the Forest Guards will not be measured by the number of arrests they make, but by the peace they help to maintain, the crimes they prevent and the confidence the people have in them.