By Rotimi Odofin.
In alignment with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s “Back to Farm” initiative, Engineer Olusegun Joseph, the Kogi State Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering the residents of Yagba West Local Government Area through the distribution of essential agricultural implements, including sprayers and insecticides.
Engineer Joseph spearheaded an agricultural empowerment scheme for local farmers at the Okuta Dudu High School premises in Odo-Ere on Saturday. This initiative aims to enhance agricultural productivity and food security within the state. During the event, Engineer Joseph oversaw the distribution of agricultural sprayers and basic insecticides designed to combat pests affecting local farms. He announced that ten individuals, carefully selected from the 14 political wards in the local government area, are beneficiary from the empowerment scheme, which is part of a broader strategy to boost local agriculture and food production.
The Commissioner emphasized that this initiative is a key component of his personal project aimed at reaching out to farmers across the geopolitical wards of the council area. Engineer Olusegun Joseph took the opportunity to express his gratitude to Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for the privilege of serving as a commissioner in his cabinet.
He noted that the Governor’s generosity is instrumental in enabling him to implement this empowerment scheme for the people of Yagba West.
Furthermore, Engineer Joseph highlighted that the administration of Governor Ododo is dedicated to ensuring the socio-economic well-being of all citizens and residents of Kogi State. He assured the community that the state government is actively addressing the current security challenges facing the local government area, reinforcing its commitment to the safety and prosperity of its people.
“Today, we are not celebrating a milestone, neither are we only distributing all these dividends but it should be noted that it is a way to give back to the constituents, i e. the good people of Yagba West Local Government.
“Today, marks a significant event of giving back to our local farmers and believing that the efforts of the Governor in repositioning and empowering our farmers with knapsack sprayers, Agro Allied Chemicals and Cash to enhance food productivity and also bring close to the people modern day farming Implements.
“We will not stop here, it is just the first phase of the empowerment programme and we will always do our best to enhance and support our local farmers. For this mega edition of empowerment not to allow themselves to become prawn in the hands of those that have benefited, we will consider future options to others,” he said.
The Commissioner took the opportunity to express gratitude to the Governor for the swift approval of the rehabilitation of ten kilometers of roads in Egbe township, as well as for considering the extension of these projects to the area council. He also acknowledged the Governor’s kind in the appointment of two commissioners from the local government area, emphasizing his desire to achieve even more than what has already been accomplished.
He noted that this initiative is merely the tip of the iceberg and reiterated that a more comprehensive empowerment scheme is forthcoming in the next few months.
During the event at the empowerment center located at Okuta Dudu High School in Odo-Ere, the Chairman of Yagba West Local Government Area, Honorable Tosin Olokun, encouraged the farmers who are beneficiaries of the empowerment initiative to make effective use of the provided implements. He stressed that this initiative would significantly enhance agricultural activities within the local government area.
The Chairman further appealed to the Commissioner to continue these empowerment efforts to bolster food security in the state.
Other speakers at the event, including Honorable Olu Mosee, Honorable Aderonke Aro, and local royal leaders, took turns commending the Commissioner for his generous initiatives. They assured the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state of the unwavering support and loyalty of the Yagba West Local Government Council to the ruling party.
They unanimously endorsed Governor Ododo for a second term in office because of his monumental achievements.
