By; ADAMA JOHN, Lokoja.
The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shaibu Abubakar Audu has flagged off the distribution of almost 4,000 bags of rice and fertilisers as palliatives to Kogi indigenes across the 21 local government areas of the state in Lokoja on Saturday.
This came as he assured Kogi indigenes of more Federal government-driven initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The distribution exercise of the palliatives was made up of 2,400 bags of rice and 1,200 bags of fertiliser, which he said, is in furtherance to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on food security and part of the activities to commemorate his one year in office of the Honourable. Minister.
He said that the distribution of the items to vulnerable indigenes and eligible farmers is to ensure that all indigenes of the state are accommodated in the the Federal Government exercise aimed at ameliorating the living conditions of the people in the face of the ongoing transformative agenda of Bola Tinubu.
The Honourable Minister said that in fostering peace, and unity among indigenes of the state, under the leadership of the governor of the state, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the palliatives will be distributed across board.
He warned that the beneficiaries should cut across all indigenes, including those from the opposition parties, all ethnic and religious groups, widows, traditional leaders and market women, amongst other groups across the three senatorial districts of the state.
“Today, I am here to distribute almost 4,000 bags of rice and fertilisers across the 21 local government areas of Kogi state to ensure that all stakeholders in Kogi benefit from the palliatives under the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President to ensure food security.
“And I want to thank all of you, the youths, for abstaining from the nationwide protests in Kogi State. It was a wonderful outcome and I came here to thank all of you as we distribute these palliatives since you listened to your leaders”, assuring them that “We would not let you down for giving us the benefit of the doubt”.
He recounted that, “In the last one year, during my tenure as Honourable Minister, I have provided several succour to the people of Kogi State, including 50,000 Naira, in nano-business grants to 5,000 beneficiaries in Kogi State under the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, meaning that 250 million naira was distributed to kogites”.
Prince Audu assured the people of the state that as their highest representative at the federal executive council, he will continue to drive home all the initiatives of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President geared towards developing the state and improving the welfare and livelihood of the people.
He thanked thanked the people of the state for their support through his one year in office, urging them to collaborate with him, the governor, and other key leaders to bring the desired development to the state.
The Maigari of Lokoja, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi IV, thanked the Honourable Minister for the incentives, noting that it will go a long way in bringing succour to the people and prayed that Almighty Allah continue to protect the Honourable Minister and give him the wisdom to succeed.
Comrade Stephen Bala Jibrin, Secretary, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Kogi State Chapter, described the gesture as timely, expressing the appreciation of farmers in the state who are in need of fertilisers, especially in the planting season.
“As farmers, we express our heartfelt gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for recognising Kogi State. We thank the Minister because our association has been fully carried along as beneficiaries.
“The leadership of the association will ensure that the fertilisers get to farmers even at the grassroots. We have local government coordinators, ward coordinators, so we are going to channel the items through them,” he said.
