Residents of Olubo-Ojo in Kogi East Senatorial District have rejoinced following Senator Isah Jibrin Echocho’s commissioning of a solar-powered borehole, to address the community’s long-standing water challenges and improving access to clean water.
The Olubo-Ojo community in Kogi East Senatorial District erupted in celebration recently following commissioning of a motorized solar-powered borehole by Senator Isah Jibrin Echocho which had provided a lasting solution to their prolonged water scarcity.

The project, one of several boreholes facilitated by the senator across the nine local government areas of the senatorial district, marked a significant milestone in efforts to improve access to clean water in the region.
Residents expressed their joy and appreciation for the initiative, describing the borehole as a transformative development that will enhance sanitation, reduce waterborne diseases, and ease the daily struggle of fetching water from distant sources.

Community leader, Chief Adejo Onuh, thanked Senator Echocho for his dedication to addressing the pressing needs of the people, adding, “This project will significantly improve the quality of life for everyone in our community.”

Senator Echocho, while addressing the gathering, reaffirmed his commitment to delivering essential services to his constituents. “Access to clean water is a basic necessity, and I am determined to ensure that every community in Kogi East benefits from initiatives that promote health and development,” he stated.

The borehole commissioning is part of the senator’s broader agenda to tackle critical infrastructure deficits in the senatorial district, including healthcare, education, and rural electrification projects.

Residents have pledged to maintain the facility to ensure its sustainability and lasting impact on the community.

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

Comrade Onuh Edoka, Special Adviser to Kogi State Governor on Labour Matters and former chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, has named Kogi as one of the few states in the Country to implement the new minimum wage of N72,500.

Edoka disclosed this while receiving Executive members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi state Council who were in his office on a courtesy call.

The Special Adviser on Labour Matters said that the NLC recently rated Kogi state very high for meeting all laid down requirements by the NLC Minimum Wage Committee.

He said that the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC which gave the rating at a meeting in Port Harcourt recently applauded the state Executive Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for paying more than the specified amount to workers in the state.

According to the former Chief Labour Officer, the positive development follows the Governor’s unfettered commitment to workers’ welfare which he noted, remains second to none.

Edoka appreciated the NUJ and its leadership for appreciating the Governor’s modest achievements within a short period in office, as he pledged that he would continue to partner with the Media in the state for positive collaborations.

Earlier, the State Chairman of the NUJ, Alhaji Seidu Ademu Haruna said the visit was to formally congratulate the Special Adviser on his appointment and to thank the government for its positive impact in the lives of workers and pensioners in the state.

The NUJ Council Chairman assured that the media would continue to collaborate with the Special Adviser’s office and Kogi state government to discharge their duties effectively.

He also pledged the Media professionals’ resolve to always portray the present administration in good light in appreciation of its impressive performance.

Alhaji Ademu Seidu appealed to the Special Adviser to sustain his good works, adding that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has started well to the admiration of the people. (Ends)

***says not less than 350 micro projects expected next year

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja

Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency (KGCSDA) expended over N2.6 billion on 80 Community Development (CDs) projects and not less than 170 micro projects in the last four months.

General Manager of the Agency, Chief Dauda Momoh, who disclosed this at a Surprise Birthday Ceremony Organised by staff of the Agency in his honour on Friday in Lokoja described the feat as unprecedented in the life of the CSDA.

“We thank God that we are doing very, very well. You know, I’ve never said something like this before, affirming to you that the agency is doing very well. But this time I can categorically say we are doing very well.

“We have executed 80 Community Development (CDs) projects and not less than 170 micro projects within a span of three to four months. And it is unprecedented.

“I think this time around, the government of the day wanted to test our will and see whether we can deliver. We thank God that we’ve been able to surmount all challenges and we can beat our chests and say yes, we have done very well”, he said.

Chief Dauda Momoh who full of gratitude to God and to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo said, “I give glory to God.

“So far N2.6 billion was released to us and I thank God that we have executed projects even more than that 2.6 billion and I also want to use the opportunity to thank His Excellency who has pushed us beyond our usual limits.

“Because initially we were scared that looking at the processes, the journeys we would have to make, the cost of fuel, moving from one place to another, the cost of putting up a building or to do most of those projects we used to do but we have been able to surmount all the hazards”, he said.

The General Manager said that the mandate of the Agency was to enable remote communities to feel government presence through intervention projects that make direct impacts on their lives and well-being.

Against this backdrop, he said that the Agency had been able to do much and ensure sustenance of its intervention projects across communities because of its adoption of Community Driven Development (CDD) Approach.

This approach, he said, gives communities the opportunity to do their needs accessment and come up with particularly projects they want making them to imbibe the spirit and mind of ownership of the projects in completion and would naturally want to ensure maintenance of what belongs to them.

He hinted that the Agency might before the end of the year, execute a well planned media event to showcase its achievements.

“We’re planning to have a media chat where we’ll be online or on air with some communities for you to hear from them directly. I think it’s better you hear from the communities.

On the Agency ‘s plans for next year, the General Manager said, they should be able to surpass the achievements so far made saying, “So, I’m looking at between 100 to 150 community development plan across the three Senatorial Districts and there will not be less than 350 micro projects.

“So we have the capacity, we have the staff that can can do it. If we could do this within a span of three months or four months, you can see what we can do within a year with prompt release of money by His Excellency, we can do very well.”

Chief Dauda Momoh however hinted that all the accolades being poured on him for a job well done should rather go to the staff who have always been there willing and courageous to face the tasks at all times.

To mark the Birthday, Muslim and Christian clerics thanked God for the life of the General Manager and for granting him the grace to steer the Agency to greater heights where it had been able to positively impact lives in various communities across the state.

They prayed to God to lift the General Manager to higher levels saying that he had exhibited high leadership qualities and would be able to do more at higher levels for humanity as they prayed for his family and continued sustenance of the Agency.

Speaking on behalf of staff of the Agency, Pastor Sam Okpanachi, Project Officer (Social Safeguards) said it was with great joy and admiration that the CSDA team was extendeding their heartfelt congratulations to the GM on his birthday.

He said that Chief Dauda Momoh’s exemplary leadership and unwavering dedication had been pivotal in steering the agency towards achieving its mission of fostering sustainable development across Kogi State.

“Chief Dauda, your visionary approach and commitment to community empowerment have not only inspired us but have also significantly impacted the lives of many within our communities”, he said.

Speaking on behalf of Journalists in the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Obansa, Vice Chairman of Kogi State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) described the GM as a humane and humble man who stoops to the level of everyone and listen to them.

Obansa assured the GM of the continued collaboration of journalists in the state with the Agency in its effort to drive development at the grassroots level. (Ends)