News From 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)
News From Kogi
Echocho Gifts Generator to Cottage Hospital Abocho
In a gesture aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery, Senator Jibrin Isa Echocho, representing Kogi East, has donated a SUMEC SPG 3000 generator to Cottage Hospital Abocho.
This donation is expected to provide a reliable power source for the hospital, for the benefit of patients and staff.
The generator was officially presented to the hospital on behalf of Senator Echocho by the Onu Abocho (Ayidu), HRM Ajofe Jonah Okai Drisu Ekpo. Expressing gratitude, the Onu Abocho commended the senator for his continued commitment to local development projects, particularly in the healthcare sector.
According to the Onu Abocho, the community had been gathering resources to acquire a generator when Senator Echocho learned of their efforts and stepped in with the donation.
He applauded the senator’s swift response to the community’s needs and acknowledged others who have worked to improve the hospital’s facilities.
The Onu Abocho further pledged to personally oversee the generator’s fueling to ensure it remains operational whenever needed.
Mr. Omika Isah, the hospital’s Chief Nursing Officer, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the senator, the Onu Abocho, and community members, emphasizing that this new power source would greatly enhance the hospital’s ability to provide continuous care.
News From Kogi
NDLEA solicits partnership with Kogi Assembly to combat drug abuse
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
NATIONAL Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kogi State Command, has solicited the collaboration of Kogi State House of Assembly in enlightening people of the state on the dangers of drug abuse and other drug related menace in the society.
NDLEA Commander in the State, Umar Mustapha Yahuza, made the appeal during a working visit to the House of Assembly in Lokoja.
Accordingly to a statement signed and made available to newsmen by Yabagi Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Speaker of the House, the NDLEA Commander said Kogi is very strategic to the Agency’s fight against drug abuse.
He said that this is in view of the geographical location of the state and the findings by the NDLEA following a painstaking research.
The Commander revealed that his agency through the research, discovered that there is a high prevalence of drug and substance abuse in Kogi state adding that there is urgent need to check the development as it has high tendency to endanger the society at large.
Commander Yahuza praised Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his commitment to the fight against the menace of drug abuse.
He held strongly that the governor deserved accolades for accepting to establish a rehabilitation center for victims of drugs in the State.
The NDLEA Commander urged other leaders to take a cue from the commitment shown by Governor Ododo, as he commended members of 8th Assembly in the state for their warm reception.
He equally commended their show of commitment towards assisting the NDLEA to check the prevalence of illicit drugs and substances in some parts of the State.
In his welcome address, Rt Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, Speaker of the House, applauded the NDLEA for its gallantry and commitment towards sanitizing and ridding the society of illicit drugs.
He noted that the inherent dangers of drugs abuse could not be overemphasized, stressing that the problem keeps growing by the day in spite of the obvious mental and psychological challenges inherent in the consumption of the harmful drugs and substances.
Speaker Yusuf noted that as a lawmaking body, the Assembly was ready to collaborate with the agency and come up with laws that would assist the NDLEA to do its job more effectively.
He thanked the Commander for his commitment towards mitigating the prevalence and effects of drugs abuse in the state.
Highlights of the event include the presentation of a Drug Test Kit and decoration of the Speaker by the NDLEA boss as one of the major stakeholders in the agency’s fight against drugs. (Ends)
News From Kogi
LugardTV Awards Internship to Top FUL Mass Communication Graduate
LugardTV has awarded an internship opportunity to Khadijat Blessing Mohammed, the top graduate from the Mass Communication Department at Federal University, Lokoja (FUL). The announcement was made at the Government House Media Centre in Lokoja on Thursday, where Kogi State Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah, received the FUL standout.
Ismaila Isah emphasized that the internship offer is part of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s commitment to fostering excellence by supporting young talents and providing opportunities for professional growth within the media industry.
He noted that the experience at LugardTV and the Government House Media Centre will grant Khadijat hands-on knowledge, practical skills, and the chance to work alongside seasoned media professionals within the Kogi State Government.
The internship, he explained, is aimed at bridging the gap between academic study and media industry practice, preparing future media leaders. Khadijat will gain exposure to various facets of journalism, including content creation and media intelligence, giving her a foundation to specialize in areas that resonate with her career goals.
In her response, Khadijat Blessing Mohammed expressed her gratitude for the opportunity and pledged to make the most of the experience during her internship at the Government House Media Centre.
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