News From Kogi
Kogi State to Launch Special Economic Zone in Ajaokuta Corridor
The Kogi State Government has initiated plans to establish a special economic zone with free trade status in the Ajaokuta economic development corridor.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, during a visit to NEPZA’s Managing Director, Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, in Abuja, sought NEPZA’s collaboration to accelerate the project, which has been in the pipeline for over a decade.
Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah quoted him to have emphasized that the special economic zone will unlock the state’s vast economic potential.
Strategically located as a bridge between northern and southern Nigeria, Kogi boasts of abundant mineral resources, fertile land for agriculture, and a skilled workforce poised for industrial growth.
“The special economic zone will harness Kogi’s natural resources and create thousands of jobs, making the state a hub for economic activity and a destination for investment,” Governor Ododo stated.
He assured that the state government is prepared to meet all necessary requirements to fast-track the project’s realization.
In response, NEPZA’s Dr. Ogunyemi pledged full support, committing to expedite approvals, licensing, and guidance to help Kogi establish the economic zone. He also commended the governor’s commitment to infrastructure, worker welfare, and security.
The state government has already allocated 3,000 hectares in the Ajaokuta development corridor for the zone, with a Public-Private Partnership model set to fund the project.
News From Kogi
Group applauds Senator Echocho’s relief efforts in Kogi East
The Kogi Democratic Group (KDG) has expressed appreciation for the recent initiatives by Senator Jibril Isah Echocho (APC/Kogi East) in addressing the hardships facing residents of the senatorial district.
In a statement on Wednesday, KDG Protem Secretary Inuwa Lawal highlighted Senator Echocho’s distribution of rice and essential food supplies, which brought immediate relief to the local communities.
The group also praised Senator Echocho’s commitment to long-term infrastructure improvements.
Among his achievements, the installation of boreholes has provided stable access to clean water, and the distribution of fertilizer has offered crucial support to local farmers, helping to strengthen agriculture in the region.
According to Lawal, Kogi East has not witnessed such progress with the past senators, citing Echocho’s active representation in the 9th and 10th Senate as a “leadership with vision and mission.”
He urged the senator to remain focused, despite distraction from his traducers as he acknowledged Echocho’s unique contributions at Senate proceedings, committee work, oversight activities and through motions and bills
The group encouraged Senator Echocho to continue his impactful work, calling on him to sustain the progress that has benefited Kogi East and enriched the lives of its residents.
News From Kogi
Echocho’s Constituency Empowerment outreach Continues with donation of Rice, cash to widows
Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), representing Kogi East, has extended his support to hundreds of widows across the Senatorial disctrict with the donation of 50 kg bags of rice and cash.
His special Adviser on Media Mikail Ibrahim in a statement that was made available to tye National Update in Abuja on Sunday indicated that the philanthropic effort is part of a weeklong empowerment program aimed at providing relief and support to vulnerable members of the community.
The distribution, which began last week and continued on Sunday, the statement said has witnessed a large turnout of beneficiaries, many of whom expressed deep gratitude for the assistance, particularly amid ongoing economic difficulties.
The statement pointed out that that Senator’s initiative is seeking not only to address food insecurity but also to empower the widows by providing them with the financial resources needed to manage their households effectively.
A representative of the senator, Alhaji Danlami Garba, emphasized the importance of supporting widows, who often face significant economic hardship after the loss of their spouses.
He highlighted that by combining food assistance with cash donations, the senator is empowering the women to make independent choices that best suit their families’ needs, thus fostering both dignity and self-reliance.
Echocho’s empowerment programs also target to uplift the youth and women through education, skills training, and entrepreneurship to create a sustainable and supportive environment for community development.
The senator’s initiative is a reflection of sustained effort to strengthen Kogi East’s economy, provide hope for a better future, and promote resilience among the most vulnerable groups.
News From Kogi
INGRA urges Kogi govt to complete Lokoja-Ganaja road, mass transit scheme
***Commends Kogi Govt on construction of Zone 8-Kabba Junction, Assembly roads
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
THE Initiative For Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA), a Kogi-based Civil Society Organization has called on Kogi State Government to urgently take over and complete the Lokoja-Ganaja road to assuage the pains of Kogi people and numerous motorists plying the road.
Mr Hamza Aliyu, Human Rights activist and Executive Director, INGRA, who made the call in a statement on Saturday in Lokoja also commended the State Government for the completion of Zone-8 to Otokiti-Shettima-Zango-Kabba Junction as well as on-going Zone 8-Junction-House of Assembly-Crusher roads.
The Executive Director said that the growth of Lokoja metropolis as a result of population and development has led to upspringing of settlements on the outskirts of the State Capital.
He held that this phenomenon which is not peculiar to the state capital alone was visible in other fast growing cities adding that such settlements around Lokoja include Otokiti, Shettima, Zango and Crusher areas as well as Ganaja.
He noted that many citizens of the State Capital reside in these areas but commute to work in Lokoja due mostly to cost of housing and transportation among others.
Aliyu however pointed out that the removal of Fuel Subsidy by the President Ahmed Tinubu Government on the 29th of May, 2023 had exposed the weak infrastructure and poor public sector service provision.
This, he said, is particularly in the movement of people, goods and services which is critical for development saying, “This is particularly true in these settlements.
“The absence of a road network and a proper mass transit system, further exacerbated the situation with it’s attendant consequences”, he said.
The consequences according to him include: insecurity, high cost of transportation, bad health situation due to the tremendous dust that residents are exposed to during the harmattan season, weak standard of living, with pressure on resources and facilities in the State Capital.
He hinted that several governments had attempted to solve the Zone 8-kabba junction road challenge to no avail until the Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello administration began construction in 2023 with fears on possible completion when the regime ended.
“However new administration of Alhaji Usman Ododo surprised everyone with the speed and dedication it has completed the project with 10 months of the administration.
“This has brought a huge relief to residents of the area and rejuvenated their belief in this administration. We wish to commend His Excellency for this feat as it has far reaching implications economically and health wise on the area.
In this regards we also call on the Governor to also take over and complete the Ganaja road so that Lokoja citizens will finally feel the full effects of the “Ododo Magic.”
“We also urge the Government to as a matter of urgency follow up this remarkable achievements on roads by establishing a functional mass transit system in Lokoja the State Capital.
It is sad that citizens are left at the mercy of Keke and okada operators who decide the mode and cost of transportation in the State.
The Civil Society man however called on citizens to always engage their government actively by paying their taxes and protecting public infrastructure. (Ends)
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