***Urges unity and participation to consolidate on APC’s achievements in the state

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has called on All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates and stakeholders to push for a landslide victory in the forthcoming Local Government Council elections scheduled for October 19th.

Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah quted Governor Ododo to have made the call during the official flag-off of the APC’s statewide campaign at Muhammadu Buhari Square in Lokoja on Thursday.

Addressing the gathering, which included APC leaders from the state’s three senatorial districts, Governor Ododo presented the scorecard of the APC-led administration, highlighting its achievements and commitment to grassroots development.
He praised the party’s 40 percent affirmative action for women, which reserved all vice-chairmanship positions and at least four councillorship slots in each of the 21 local government areas for women. He noted that the appointment of Ward Special Assistants and Local Government Special Assistants had brought governance closer to the people.

Governor Ododo called for peace and unity among residents, stressing that the APC-led government is dedicated to using the state’s resources to uplift its people.
“Our state is blessed with abundant mineral resources and human capital to lift us out of poverty. We must work hard to consolidate on the solid foundation laid by my predecessor and the immediate past administration in different sectors by supporting the APC,” he said.

He urged the people of Kogi State to turn out in large numbers on October 19th to vote for the party’s chairmanship and councillorship candidates across the 239 electoral wards.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his efforts in navigating the country through economic challenges and assured that Kogi State would continue to align with policies aimed at reducing hardship among Nigerians.

State APC Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello, echoed the governor’s sentiments, applauding Governor Ododo’s performance, which has facilitated the campaign process for the party.
He encouraged party members to engage in door-to-door canvassing to secure a sweeping victory in the local government elections.
The campaign launch witnessed a significant turnout of APC members from all 21 local government areas. It also featured the defection of Honourable Salman Idris, the representative of Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the APC.

The high point of the event was Governor Ododo’s presentation of APC flags to the chairmanship candidates from the state’s 21 local government areas.

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Member Representing Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency, Hon. Ozigi Muhammed Tijani has empowered over 100 artisans and petty traders from his constituency with strategic training to enhance their means of livelihood and standard of living.

The training which took place at Ebira Muslims Community College, Okengwen (EMCCO), Okene, in the Central Senatorial District of Kogi had beneficiaries drawn from Ageva, Ozuja and some selected communities in the distrct.

The training undertaken under the strategic empowernment programme was conducted by
the Federal Cooperative College, Kaduna and Federal College of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with KhalidTech Global Concept Limited.

Speaking at the end of the programme, the Sponsor and organizer, Hon. Ozigi Muhammed Tijani said it was aimed supporting the constituents in the various means of livelihood with the hope of improving their standard if living.

The Federal Lawmaker said the programme was part of fulfilling his mandate to the Federal constituency as he expressed satisfaction with the success of the programme and urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items given to them.

Tijani who was also represented at the closing ceremony by Hon. Abdulyekini Okino, assured the people of Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency that more empowerment programmes were in the pipeline.

Earlier in his opening remarks, representative of KhalidTech Global Concept Limited Mallam Abdulrasheed Siaka charged the beneficiaries to take the advantage of the empowernment to improve on their livelihood.

Also speaking, the provost Federal Cooperative College, Kaduna, Hajia Aisha Ismail Ishaq said the empowerment programme was timely saying that it came at a time when the economy is in shambles.

The Provost who was represented by Dr. Ayinla John, urged the beneficiaries to utilize all that was provided for them to assuage the hardship, reduce poverty and improve their standard of living.

Speaking on behalf of the communities, Hon. Ibrahim Adams Kadoka commended the facilitator for prioritizing the welfare of his constituents and appealed to the beneficiaries to judiciously utilize the money and equipment provided.

On behalf of other beneficiaries, Mallam Aminu Shaibu, expressed gratitude to the sponsor, saying that the empowerment had opened a fresh frontier of opportunities for them to exploit and improve their lives.

At the end of the programme participants were empowered with 15 Mechanic Tools kits; 15 Manual Sewing machines; 15 Deep Freezers; 15 Barbing saloon Kits and 15 Generating sets.

Other equipment given to them include: two (2) Qlink Motorcycles; one (1) tricycle (KekeNapep); Special empowerment grants to 10 beneficiaries; cash assistance to 100 Petty Traders as well as four (4) Washing machines and industrial Irons. (Ends)

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja**

In response to warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and other regulatory bodies, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has approved the formation of a Flood Disaster Response Team to prepare for potential flooding along the Rivers Niger and Benue.
Kogi State’s Commissioner for Information and Communications,
announced the decision on Wednesday in Lokoja. He stated that the team’s primary goal is to avert losses and protect lives and property in the state’s flood-prone regions.

“The state government’s decision to establish this team is a proactive move to mitigate the impact of potential floods and safeguard our communities,” Fanwo said. The Flood Disaster Response Team will be responsible for coordinating the government’s flood response strategies and implementing the State Action Plan on Flooding, he added.

Kogi State, situated at the confluence of the two major rivers, has suffered from severe flooding in previous years. This proactive measure aims to reduce the damage and hardship that flooding has historically caused in the region.

The Response Team will be chaired by the Deputy Governor, His Excellency Comrade Joel Oyibo Salifu, and include a broad range of government officials. Members will comprise the State Auditor-General, Commissioners from the Ministries of Health, Environment, Works, Finance, Education, Water Resources, Women Affairs, Humanitarian Affairs, Agriculture, and Information. Additionally, the State Security Adviser, the Special Adviser to the Governor on State Emergency Management Agency, and the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency will be part of the team.

Fanwo noted that the team’s inauguration by Governor Ododo would take place soon, emphasizing the government’s commitment to taking preventive action against possible flood disasters.

The initiative demonstrates Kogi State’s preparedness and dedication to minimizing the impact of natural disasters on its citizens.