Kogiflame
The recent step taken by Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo in tackling economic hardship been experience by the people of the state has been applauded by the people
Some stakeholders in the state were of the opinion that the governor is taking the right step in the right direction.
His recent meeting with the All Farmer’s Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in the state before the distribution of palliatives was seen as one of the remarkable effort by the governor to find lasting solution to food crisis.
Some weeks back, Governor Ododo held a meeting with all Farmer’s Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector value chain at the Glass House, Kogi State Governnent House, Lokoja.
In the course of the meeting Governor Ododo called on All Farmer’s Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector value chain to deliberate on the pathway towards a more prosperous and sustainable agricultural practices in Kogi State.
He said this is related to concerns over food security and other economic challenges in the country.
The stakeholders’ meeting led to key resolutions where Governor Ododo outlined practical measures to address some of the identified challenges as he assured of the resolve of the Kogi State Government to ensure that the state emerges top in agricultural outputs.
Some of the key areas of immediate interventions outlined by the Governor include addressing the challenges of insecurity facing farmers particularly in the grass root areas, the Governor promised to provide adequate security for farmers through stronger collaboration with security agencies and local security interventions in the state.
The Governor also noted that his administration will ensure that farmers in Kogi State have direct access to subsidised farm inputs including fertilisers.
He urged the farmer’s association to create a robust and comprehensive database, through which farmers can receive interventions directly and without interference from middlemen.
Governor Ododo also revealed that plans are ongoing to ensure that access roads are created and paths to farmlands are cleared by the government, particularly in strategic areas where major commodities are produced in the state.
In addition to his commitment to ensure that the state government serves as the primary off-taker of farm produce in the state, Governor Ododo said investors in the agricultural sector will be encouraged to establish processing plants in the state to provide employment and also make the people of the state key players in the agricultural value chain in the state.
Governor Ododo equally announced a Technical Committee to take stock of all the tractors procured and handed over to Local Government Areas in the state.
The Governor said the state government procured farm implements to be be put to use by farmers in the past but the feedback from farmers indicate that more needs to be done for farmers in this regard.
The Governor therefore urged the technical committee comprising the Commissioner for Agriculture, the State Auditor-General and the Auditor-General for Local Government to take stock and report the status of all farm equipment particularly mechanised tractors to the government.
Governor Ododo said his administration will commence clearing of hectares of land for farming across the state while also providing improved seedlings for better yield in the next farming season.
He affirmed that the state government now has a harmonised revenue collection system which was signed into law by the immediate past administration.
He urged the Commissioner For Agriculture to liaise with the Chairman of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Services to resolve such concerns by farmers immediately.
While assuring that the meeting with the farmers would be held regularly to monitor key performance indices in the agricultural sector, Governor Ododo urged the farmer’s association to leverage on their collective strength to advocate for policies, programmes and initiatives that promote the interest of small scale farmers, empower rural communities and grant women inclusive growth opportunities in the agricultural value chain.
The Governor used the opportunity to plead with Nigerians, and residents of Kogi state to be patient with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu noting that the federal government was doing its very best to resolve the current challenges faced by the country.
On the distribution of palliatives, the governor warned political appointees and those saddled with the responsibility of distributing the palliative not to hoard nor sell.
While noting that the palliatives are meant for the indigent people of Kogi State, the Governor said his administration remains committed to serve the people in transparency and the fear of God.
According to him, the palliatives will not be distributed along party, ethnic or religious line, adding that, the target beneficiaries are the poorest of the poor in Kogi State.
“My administration is will not allow any unpatriotic element to cheat on the people. The Government has put mechanism in place to track and apprehend those who plan to hoard the distribution of this food item.
“The palliative is not for APC alone, religious group or ethnic agenda. It is for the people of Kogi State. I want to beg all of us to allow the poor breath. I am part of them. I was being raised from them. I am committed to serve them, not as a leader but their servant. Political appointees will not benefit from this palliatives. They should also contribute to the society that made them
“I will not condone any act of indiscipline as I will personally monitor the distribution of the rice to ensure that the palliative reaches the downtrodden that gave the mandate to serve them” the governor stated.
The governor who emphasized the need for the people of the grassroots to benefit from the rice palliative, vowed to sanction any political appointees that may wish to divert the bags of rice.
“This palliative is to alleviate the current hardship people are passing through and it should reach the people at the grassroot. This intervention is meant for the people and modalities for distributions are water-tight and we have put a mechanism to apprehend and sanction those who may wish to divert the palliative.
An Omala politician, Hon. Matthew Ochada has said that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s timely intervention to ameliorate the biting pangs of hunger afflicting the people of Kogi State is a sagacious and commendable gesture worthy of emulation. By distributing food palliatives to the people hit by the current economic typhoon battering the nation, he has illuminated a heartening constellation of hope in these dreary times.
According to him, the judicious process of selecting beneficiaries, prioritizing widows, the elderly, PWDs and the severely deprived, demonstrates his administration’s altruism and social conscience.
His words, “The supplies of this palliative, modest as it seem, it’s a bulwark against destitution for many. This respite has calmed lingering resentments over governance in turbulent times, as provisions were granted irrespective of political allegiances.
“In ensuring transparency and accountability in the distribution chain, the government has burnished the integrity of its relief efforts, crushing the viral speculations and prejudices that often imperil such interventions. This has restored many’s faith in the system to rise to the occasion at such critical junctures. Ododo’s monitoring mechanism has ensured these items get to the people intended without diversion.
“Governor Ododo’s led government deserve encomiums for rising to the challenge and steering relief to where it is most coveted. Though supplies may seem trivial against profound needs, but the expediency and humaneness that galvanized this action merits applause as much the materials themselves. For it is the statesmanship behind the gestures exuding empathy that is most ennobling. This act has sparked dim hopes amid bleak economic realities, reminding the people of Kogi that their government stands with them in times of adversity.
“This defining chapter shall be etched for posterity as Governor Ododo’s sagacious response to tumultuous conditions that would have sunk many a leader. Kudos to the Captain for firmly manning the wheels at such tempestuous headwinds pummeling our common boat of state. We are grateful.
Also some of the beneficiary of the palliatives who spoke commended the governor.
Alhaji Salifu Adejo the APC divisional party chairman of Idah LGA who represented the transition chairman of Idah local government area Hon. Amadi Ochijelo said ” I am in Lokoja the State capital to take the consignment of our palliative out of the benevolent of the number one citizen of the state Alhaji Aed Usman Ododo who said stomach infrastructure should be given utmost priority, knowing fully well that Nigeria as a country is passing through a lot of challenges and 99 per cent are very hungry.
“The governor came up with this initiative of sharing rice to the people who need it most and this is a gesture the people of Kogi state can not forget in a hurry. Ododo has promised to run all inclusive government stated clearly that all people of the state must benefit from the palliative irrespective of political affiliation and religion.
“This palliative as we are taking it to Idah it will be distributed to the people who need it. There will be no sentiment in the distribution we will strictly adhere to the directive of the governor. Every local government areas received 1200 bags of 50kg rice for onward distribution to the people at the grassroots.
“The food palliative is for every body and we will ensure that the rice reaches every corner of Ibaji local government
Also speaking, Hon. Haruna Aliyu the caretaker chairman of Ajaokuta LGA said he thank God Almighty and they appreciate the Governor for putting smile on the faces of the downtrodden who are suffering as a result of the fuel subsidy removal by the federal government.
“The local government was given 1200 bags of rice and we have constituted a committee that will share the rice equitably to the people of 14 wards in the local government. This rice belong to the people not any political party therefore it will reach every body especially those that need it most. Our Governor had warned during the flag off ceremony that the food palliative is for every body and on our part as leaders at the local level we will ensure that the rice get to the people without any …
However the immediate removal of Hon. Hassan Atawodi as the Transition Chairman of Ofu Local Government Area for diverting the palliatives was an indication that the governor is ready to fight corruption.
It was reliably gathered that he diverted palliatives meant for his local government to another place.
His removal was inline with zero tolerance of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo’s fight against corruption.
Meanwhile, Kogi State Youth leader of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Mohammed U Mohammed has commended what it called the zero tolerance for corruption by the Ahmed Usman Ododo led administration in the State.
The Kogi State APC youth leader offered the commendation following the recent governor action removing the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ofu local government area for diverting palliative made for the people of the area.
He applauded the State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo for his sincere commitment towards the plight of his people.
Mohammed said the Governor deserve accolade for fulfilling his pledged in the fight against corruption in the state.
The Kogi State APC youth leader in a statement issued by Comr Usman Ibrahim,Media Aide to APC Youths leader, Kogi State Chapter and made available to newsmen on Tuesday, gave the governor a remarkable commendation over the strict monitoring of the palliative distribution across the 21 Local Government Areas in the State.
According to him, Governor Ododo has shown that he is consolidating on the legacy of the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, CON.
He added that Governor Ododo is bringing back democracy back to the people as it is stated.
Kogi State Youth leader of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Mohammed U Mohammed urged him to continue his good job as the party is proud of him while assuring that they shall continue to give him maximum support towards ensuring Kogi State is giving a distinctive feature in description.