By Stephen Adeleye.
A sociocultural group, Ibaji Unity Forum (IUF), has distributed nine tonnes of certified rice seeds to 1,800 beneficiaries affected by the 2022 flood disaster in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Speaking at the distribution centre on Friday in Ibaji, the IUF’s National President, Barr. Stephen Uchola, said the gesture was in fulfilment of IUF’s mandate to alleviate the suffering of Ibaji farmers caused by 2022 flood disaster.
He said that the nine tonnes (9000kg) of Faro 44 Rice seeds with three months maturity worth N8.1 million, purchased by IUF would be distributed to 1,800 beneficiaries of Ibaji indegenes.
According to him, the initiative is part of ”IUF Post Flood Relief Programmes” to cushion the effects of 2022 flood disaster that ravaged and submerged the entire Ibaji Local Government.
Uchola, who was represented by Mr Orjih Mathias Mike, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of IUF, said the effects of 2022 flood in Ibaji was devastating, saying Governments at all levels had not made any effort to help the citizens.
“”In spite all efforts to showcase the prevalent effects of this natural disaster to the world, the Kogi State and Federal Governments have left the citizens of Ibaji to their fate.
”The IUF in her own wisdom and as part of its aims and objectives, cried out to the public for assistance and the result is what people are witnessing today,” Uchola said.
The forum President appreciated the donors for having faith in IUF, and for committing their resources to the course of alleviating the suffering of Ibaji citizens.
The forum president enjoined all Ibaji sons and daughters to join the forum, saying, ”there is strength in unity”.
He urged the beneficiaries to effectively utilise the rice seeds for maximum yields for their own benefits, family, state and the country at large.
Uchola commended the Planning Committee’s Chairman, Bar. Tony Ameh and the committee members for doing a very good job in sourcing for the funds.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Board of Trustee (BoT) of IUF, Mr. David Alelo Ameh, thanked the Almighty God, and the donors for having faith in IUF and for committing their resources into the program.
Represented by Mr Simon Achimugwu, a BoT member, Ameh noted that the IUF remained apolitical group and as such whatever IUF was giving out should not be attributed to any political party.
”This is not the first time IUF is doing this type of program; we have also distributed rice seeds to Ibaji indigenes as part of IUF’s support for 2018 flood disaster,” Ameh said.
One of beneficiaries from Onedega ward, Mrs Grace Ameh, a widow, who spoke on behalf of others, thanked the forum for its intervention to alleviating their suffering caused by flood disaster.
She noted that the 2022 flood had affected them so much that to even feed their families become a problem hence making them to be more vulnerable.
”No matter how little this rice seeds could be, it means a lot to us because we believe that this will later translate into something big before the end of this year,” she said.
