Kogi
Food Security: SWOFON Advocates Single Digit Interest Rate for Small-holder Farmers
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
WOMEN Farmers Organization in Nigeria (SWOFON), Kogi State Chapter, has called on government to provide single digit interest rates to small-holder women farmers to address issues of inadequate budgetary allocations and credits facilities.
The women farmers made the call in Lokoja at a meeting on “Dissemination of Scorecard On Smallholder Women Farmers’ Access To Agricultural Credit Facility In Kogi State between 2020 and 2023.
The programme was organised by SWOFON in partnership with Kogi State Budget Committee Group (BCG) with support from ActionAid Nigeria.
Presenting the scorecard, Mr Mathias Okpanachi, Chairman of the BCG decried the consistent meagre budgetary allocations and non-release of such allocated funds to women farmers by government.
Okpanachi who identified lack of information on government Agricultural Credit Schemes also called on relevant authorities to provide adequate information that would avail Smallholder farmers access to credit schemes.
The BCG Chairman therefore implored government to ensure the release of the N700 million budgeted for Small-holder women farmers and youths in the 2024 Kogi State Agriculture Sector Budget.
He also urged government to summon adequate political will to support women farmers and involve them in the design, plans and implementation of Agriculture credit schemes.
In her remarks, Hajia Rukayat Larai Ahmed, Kogi State Coordinator of SWOFON, urged government to provide agricultural credit and inputs to Small-holder women farmers in the state on time.
She particularly urged the state Ministry of Agriculture to work in synergy with SWOFON to enable them reach small-holder women farmers in rural communities across the state.
She lamented the illegal activities and extortion of the women farmers by government revenue agents, market associations and commodity or produce task forces collecting illegal fees saying that their activities were aggravating the food inflation.
Mr Timothy Ojomah, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, in his remarks, assured the women farmers and youths of the state Government’s resolve to accord them the desired support to improve food production and security in the state.
Represented by Mr Oseni Mudasiru, Director, Administration in the Ministry, the Commissioner said that Gov. Usman Ododo had demonstrated adequate commitment to the Agriculture sector as he often declare that he is a farmer and son of a farmer.
Mr Abraham Ahmed, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS) said there is hope for farmers as the government has reviewed upward, the state Agriculture budget from N7 billion to N14 billion.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Fatima Momoh, said Governor Ododo’s administration had a special package for women farmers in the state which would soon be unveiled.
The Commissioner, who was represented by Mrs Josephine Motunrayo Babatunde, Director, Women, commended the women farmers for their resilience in ensuring that the residents of Kogi and other citizens of Nigeria did not go hungry.
Dr Bello Ogirima, Managing Director of Kogi State Agricultural Development Project (ADP) commended women farmers for their interest in agriculture and food production which he observed, had surpassed men.
He said that the government is working tirelessly to redouble food production adding that the state is currently working on 7,000 hectare of land to be distributed to 7,000 farmers on a hectare per farmer and providing inputs and other logistics with promise to off-take produce after harvest.
Mr Alfa Yusuf Baba, Head, Internal Control, Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Lokoja Office, said that the bank was determined to support SWOFON in its quest and collective efforts to boost food production and security in Kogi.
“At the Bank Of Agriculture (BOA), we are out to see that farmers in Nigeria get the necessary support to improve their food production and help boost the growth and development of the country”, he said. (Ends)
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Professor Tom Adaba, the first Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), who died early Saturday at the age of 84.
Describing the late broadcaster and scholar as a “leading light for development in Nigeria and a courageous voice of the people of Ebira land and Kogi State,” Governor Ododo paid tribute to his legacy in media, academia, and public service.
Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah in a statement quoted Ododo to have said,
“I am saddened by the death of our father and leader, Professor Tom Adaba, who has gone to be with his maker. Our prayers are with his immediate family, the people of Kogi State, and Nigeria at large for the colossal loss of a man widely regarded as a teacher, mentor, and leader,” he said.
The governor extended condolences to the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje, and the entire Ebira community, recognizing Prof. Adaba’s contributions, including his traditional title as the Ohieteohueyi of Ebira land.
Born in 1941, Prof. Adaba achieved several historic firsts, serving as the first Nigerian President of the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE), the first Principal of the Nigeria Television College, and later, the first Director-General of NBC, before retiring in the late 1990s.
May his soul rest in peace.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has empowered 500 women from Kogi State’s 21 local government areas, reaffirming the crucial role of women in economic development.
Speaking at the empowerment distribution event at Muhammadu Buhari Square, Lokoja, Mrs. Tinubu—represented by Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo, wife of the Kogi State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, stressed the importance of investing in women for national progress.
She stated that the initiative, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is designed to promote inclusivity, economic empowerment, and sustainable development, particularly for women. She also revealed that 18,500 women across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones would benefit from the program, starting with the North Central region.
“Empowering women is fundamental to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly goals 5 and 8, which focus on gender equality and economic growth,” she emphasized.
The program, executed in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs and the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), provided beneficiaries with essential business tools, including deep-chest freezers, maxi gas cookers with ovens, generators, and industrial grinding machines, to boost entrepreneurship and economic independence.
Mrs. Tinubu urged the beneficiaries to maximize the opportunity, ensuring self-reliance and contributing to the nation’s economic development.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has expressed deep grieve over the passing of the District Head of Adavi, Alhaji Salihu Ozi-Salami, who passed away on Wednesday at his residence in Ogaminana, Adavi Local Government Area.
In a condolence message, the Governor described the late Alhaji Salihu Ozi-Salami as a distinguished leader who served his people with honor, dedication, and a deep commitment to peace and unity. He acknowledged his invaluable contributions to the growth and stability of Adavi and the larger Ebira community.
Special Adviser on Media to the
Governor, Ismaila Isah quoted in a statement quoted Ododo to have extended his sympathies to the Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, Alhaji Dr. Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje, the Ohi Otenyiete of Ebira Land, Alhaji Isa Ozi-Salami, who is the deceased’s younger brother, as well as the late leader’s family and the entire Ebira people.
Governor Ododo prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the soul of the departed and for strength and solace for those left behind to bear the loss.
Born in 1939, Alhaji Salihu Ozi-Salami was appointed District Head of Adavi in 1994. He lived a life of service and integrity until his passing at 86. His remains have been laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites at his residence in Ogaminana.
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