By Maryam Abubakar Gulma in Lokoja.
,,,,Calls on Kogites to Patronise Local Vendors, Youths to Shun Violent Protests.
The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,on Tuesday in Lokoja launched credit support to 500 women, youths and people living with disabilities in poultry value chain at the Glass House, Lokoja.
The initiative is under the Kogi Livestock Product and Resilience Support Project L – PRES a World Bank initiative .
The Governor,who noted that the L- PRES programme aligned with the Kogi state agricultural agenda to towards achieving the 33-year development plan,assured the World Bank of continued support and utilisation of opportunities the presented to the state.
He donated NGN100,000 as logistics support to boost the economy and called on the service providers to patronise the local vendors.
The governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his undieing commitment to bring the economy back on track, adding that L – PRES is one of such programmes Tinubu initiated to bring the cost of livestock products down.
He called on the youth to rally behind President Tinubu’s agenda and shun all violent protests, warning them that any violent protest will reverse the gain recorded so far by this administration in the country. He appealed to the youth not to succumb to being fooled, mislead or cajoled by anybody .
Ododo appreciated the President for the recognition he has given to the younger generation,saying that Tinubu is trying to pull Nigeria out of economic hardships and called on youths to support the President’s agenda.
In his opening remarks, Mr Timothy Ojomah, Commissioner for Agriculture, appreciated the governor for his passion in ensuring food security and economic growth in Kogi state.
He said in order to achieve the project development sector that is
increase means of livelihood and enhancing food security in Kogi state,Ministry of Agriculture would continue to implement projects that would promote agricultural activities in the state.
The state project coordinator Livestock Product and Resilience Support Project L – PRES, Dr. Olufemi Bolarin, acknowledged the strides of Ododo’s administration.
He said the ideal of the initiative was born out of Ododo’s foresight for the 500 women and Youths beneficiaries who are given lease not only to improve their lives but to establish themselves.
The coordinator said L – PRES objectives are to: improve livestock productivity , to close gender gap in agricultural activities, to accommodate gender differences, through input based finances.
He said that L- PRES is equipping the beneficiaries with necessary knowledge, igniting the flames of self reliance in the people and nurturing the potential of each beneficiaries .
He encouraged the participants to embrace the opportunity with so much passion
Dr. Sani Ozomata, Technical Adviser L- PRES congratulated the beneficiaries but admonished them to take the advantage of the project, the 500 beneficiaries are already existing poultry owners and entrepreneurs .
Our correspondent reports that the beneficiaries will receive poultry inputs from the consultants and NGN 100,000 each to cushion the effect of the economic summersault.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
