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Ododo refurbishes 200 abandoned tractors, saves over N20B

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Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo Kogi State has indicated that his administration saved over 20b Naira by recovering and refurbishing to brand status in physical condition and mechanical performance of about 200 tractors deployed for the 2024 wet season farming in the state.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Ismaila Isah made the disclosure in a statement in over the weekend

The Governor explained that the ground-breaking initiative in recovering and refurbishing the tractors that were already out of use was based on the prevailing economic situation.
He said he was prompted to evolve the innovative approach by putting together a team of engineers to revitalize disused tractors which were procured by his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and given to farmers who left them abandoned in different farm settlements within and outside the state.

The Governor said he set out to recover and put the tractors back to use by spending far less than what it would have cost the state government to procure new tractors for the farming season given the timing and the extra cost implications due to foreign exchange instability and logistics of importation.

The Governor disclosed that it would cost the state government well over 70 Million Naira, if it were to procure one new tractor with complete accessories, adding that the figure could be well over 20 Billion for about 200 tractors that were refurbished by the team of engineers at a workshop in the premises of the Kogi State Agricultural Development Project (ADP) in Lokoja.

According to Governor Ododo: “spending billions of Naira, passing through the procurement processes, shipment and clearing would have been difficult. “But we had over 250 tractors procured by the last administration but it was not well utilized by the same indigenes of our dear state. These are public property.

“So far, we have spent over 2 Billion Naira in bringing up to 140 tractors back to life. If we were to buy 140 tractors or more, I think we should be talking about tens of billions of Naira and not minding the time it will take to ship, to clear, and we don’t have time to wait for all that.
“We are eager to give back to our people. So it’s working and the farmers can attest to that, the good people of Kogi State can attest to that. “You can go to the workshop to see what we are doing because governance is all about cutting down cost for you to be able to serve your people”.

Governor Ododo whose interest in agriculture is already rejuvenating the agricultural value chain in the state with the unprecedented amount of incentives provided for farmers in the state said his administration has invested over 7 Billion Naira in providing farm implements, seedlings and other essential supplies for nearly 10,000 farmers in 76 farm clusters across the 21 local government areas in the state.

“We have invested 7.5 Billion Naira and we are ready to invest more on the farmers so that they will be able to go into full-scale farming. It’s a plan. We are unveiling it gradually because everyone can’t be on government payroll.
“We must all contribute, join hands together to develop our state so that Kogi State can be a good example for other states to learn from.
“Very soon, you will see what Kogi State will do in terms of agriculture. We will not only feed ourselves, we will feed other states and possibly export our agricultural produce”, the Governor said.

Governor Ododo further explained that the team of engineers have also trained many young people in the state as operators and service engineers deployed along with the tractors to all the 76 farm clusters where they are also expected to take up hectares of farmland and take part in farming under the One Farmer, One Hectare programme of the present administration in the state.

The Governor said the investment in agriculture by the state government will be sustained, assuring that all that needs to be provided will be in place including security and possible expansion to over 50,000 hectares in the next farming season to boost agricultural production and guarantee food security through all-year round farming in the state.

Speaking on the comparative advantage of the state in agriculture, Governor Ododo noted that Kogi state has the capacity to become the next food basket of Nigeria with its advantages in cultivation of tubers like yam and cassava and grains such as rice and maize as well as vegetables with over 70 per cent of its land area being arable and the abundance of water bodies in Rivers Niger and Benue as well as the energy and enterprise of its youthful population which is now encouraged by the government to invest in agriculture.

The Governor noted that the only way Nigeria can beat the current inflationary trend induced by prevailing hike in food prices is a return to massive investment in agriculture under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that an aggressive campaign is required to encourage more Nigerians to embrace farming as a means of subsistence and to support the economic recovery of families in the country.

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News From Kogi

Kogi East Senator Condoles with Victims of Kogi Boat Tragedy

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***Calls for Immediate Safety Reforms

The Senator representing Kogi East in the National Assembly, Jibrin Isah Echocho has sent a message of condolence to the families affected by the recent boat mishap on the River Niger.
The boat incident had claimed the lives of many market women traveling from the state to neighboring Niger State.

In a statement personally signed by the senator, Echocho conveyed profound sympathy, urging the bereaved to find solace in the face of the devastating tragedy.
He offered prayers for the peaceful repose of the deceased and comfort for the grieving families.

The accident, confirmed by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), occurred along the Dambo-Ebuchi corridor of the River Niger, a major commercial route.
While investigations are ongoing to determine the cause, the tragedy has intensified concerns about waterway transportation safety in the region.

Senator Echocho expressed alarm over the frequency of such incidents, stressing the urgent need for comprehensive safety measures.
“The waterway connecting Kogi and Niger states has become perilous. Authorities must act swiftly to implement stringent safety protocols to prevent further loss of lives,” he urged.

He called on the government to prioritize the safety of those who depend on water transport, advocating for better infrastructure, stricter regulations, and more effective enforcement of safety standards.

Echocho also assured the victims’ families that the Kogi State government, in collaboration with federal agencies, would provide necessary support to those affected.
He emphasized the importance of community and government cooperation in helping the victims heal and rebuild.

The senator’s message comes as Kogi State continues to mourn the loss of lives, with citizens and leaders offering solidarity and support to the affected families.

The Kogi State government has pledged to assist the victims’ families and to work closely with relevant federal bodies to enhance water transport safety, ensuring that such a tragedy does not occur again.

This incident has reignited national calls for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s waterway safety regulations, as communities demand action to prevent future disasters.

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Igala Youth Council Rejects IPOB’s Inclusion of Igala in Proposed Biafra

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The Igala Youth Council (IYC) has strongly condemned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for listing the Igala nation as part of the proposed “United States of Biafra.” The IYC’s stance was made clear during an emergency meeting held on December 1, 2024, in response to a viral video in which IPOB outlined its vision for a 40-state Biafran nation.

In a statement, the IYC’s National Publicity Secretary, Michael Achor Joshua, criticized IPOB for failing to consult the Igala people, emphasizing that the Igala nation firmly rejects any inclusion in IPOB’s secessionist agenda. “We were not invited to any discussions, nor do we support IPOB’s ambitions. Our focus is on achieving good governance within the Nigerian state, not being drawn into what we consider madness,” Joshua declared.

The IYC urged all Igala people worldwide to ignore IPOB’s claims and continue with their lawful pursuits. The council stressed that the Igala nation remains committed to the unity and development of Nigeria.

IPOB’s inclusion of the Igala nation has sparked widespread controversy. The group, which advocates for the secession of the Southeast and other regions from Nigeria, has faced criticism for its disruptive tactics, including the imposition of a weekly “sit-at-home” order that has adversely affected the economy and daily life in the Southeast.

The IYC’s statement reflects growing resistance to IPOB’s secessionist agenda, with the council reiterating its commitment to national unity and peace.

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Kogi Governor Congratulates New NUJ President, Vice President

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Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State, has congratulated Alhassan Yahaya on his election as the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the recently concluded triennial delegates’ conference in Owerri, Imo State.

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah, Governor Ododo described Yahaya as a dedicated media professional who has consistently championed the welfare of journalists.
He commended Yahaya’s inclusive campaign and urged him to continue prioritizing the well-being of NUJ members and promoting unity within the union.

“Your leadership is a testament to hard work, dedication, and commitment to the journalism profession. I trust you will continue to uphold the values of integrity and inclusiveness,” Ododo said.

The Governor also lauded the NUJ members for their orderly conduct during the election process, which he said demonstrated their commitment to democratic values.
Governor Ododo further congratulated Alhaji Momoh Jimoh Adeiza, General Manager of Radio Nigeria Prime FM, Lokoja, on his election as NUJ Vice President for Zone D, which includes Kogi, Benue, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau States, and the Federal Capital Territory.

He praised Adeiza for his contributions to journalism and his role in bringing honor to Kogi State, describing him as an exemplary journalist with a distinguished career.

The Governor wished the newly elected NUJ leadership a successful tenure, expressing confidence that they would continue to advance the cause of journalism in Nigeria.

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