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Ododo reiterates cmmitment to revolutionalise Kogi livestock sector
Gov. Ahmed Ododo has reaffirmed his commitment to revolutionalise the Kogi livestock sector to boost the economy of the state.
Ododo gave the assurance during an interactive session with 500 women and youths poultry value chain credit support beneficiaries at Government House Lokoja.
The initiative, a World Bank Project under the Kogi Livestock Production and Resilience Support Project (Kogi L-PRES), have selected beneficiaries drawn from the 21 local government areas of Kogi.
The governor said the initiative was part the state’s 32-Year Development Plan for Crop and Livestock improvement.
According to him, the L-PRES is a giant stride in Nigeria’s drive towards food security and economic prosperity.
“It aligns seamlessly with our administration’s short, medium and long term plan to make Kogi the epicenter of livestock production in Nigeria.
“We are determined to achieve the Project Development Objectives here in Kogi State,” Ododo said.
Ododo congratulated the 500 beneficiaries of the project, stressing that the selection process was rigorous in accordance with the World Bank standards.
He commended the World Bank, and other partners in Nigeria as well as the Kogi L-PRES Project Management Team for their commitment to launch Kogi into the big league of livestock producers.
Ododo added: “A poultry boom in our dear state will mean serving nine other states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“We have the land, favourable climate as well as abundant human and natural resources to drive this project to a desirable success.
“I want to assure the World Bank that we shall continue to inject our projects with great political will and zeal to the benefit of our great people.
“Today, all beneficiaries will get the sum of N100,000 each as logistic support for their various businesses.
“The service providers will be immediately energized to supply all your inputs depending on your selected poultry value chains and capacity building for sustainability.
“As a way for boosting our local economy, we have urged service providers to patronize local vendors of poultry inputs within the state”.
He, therefore urged the beneficiaries to make the best of the golden opportunity to transform the livestock industry in Kogi.
Ododo commended President Bola Tinubu for his undying commitment to the Nigeria’s economic prosperity.
“As a state, we will continue to support his laudable initiatives at making Nigeria great again,” Ododo said.
In their separate remarks, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Timothy Ojomah; and the State Project Coordinator of L-PRESS, Dr. Olufemi Bolarin, commended Ododo for fully supporting the project.
The project coordinator said the governor was rewriting the narrative of livestock farming in the State, pointing out that the selection process of the beneficiaries was transparent
Bolarin stressed that the vision of the governor and tireless effort as well as the commitment demonstrated for the project.
He said the Empowerment for women and youth in poultry value chain Credit Scheme was in line with the vision of the present administration
Bolarin explained that the beneficiaries comprised three categories such as producers, processors and marketers in the poultry value-chain.
According to him, broiler producers will get Day Old Chicks (DOCs), feeds, Drugs and Vaccines, while Egg Producers will receive Point of Lay (POL), Feeds and Drugs
He added that Marketers and Processors will get Preservation Equipment such as Deep freezer, Generator set, stabilizer, table size broiler birds and packaging bags.
He pledged the commitment of the L-PRES Project to supporting the beneficiaries towards achieving the dream of enhancing livestock farming in the state.
The project coordinator added that with the scheme, about 500 families have been empowered to make themselves reliant in poultry farming, noting that necessary inputs would be provided for them.
Mr Samuel Mark, a beneficiary, who spoke on behalf of others, thanked the governor for the initiative and for supporting the projects to boost livestock productivity in the state.
Mark, who is a person with disability, commended the governor for considering the PWDs to be part of the L-PRESS beneficiaries. (NAN
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
In an atmosphere filled with joy, unity, and heartfelt wishes, Jaba Local Government came alive as Honourable Mustapha and Sister Fatima celebrated their union today in a wedding that will be remembered forever.
The occasion was graced by esteemed personalities and dignitaries and prominent figures within and outside Kaduna State, who gathered not only to honour the couple but also to offer guidance, blessings, and sincere prayers for a successful marriage.
Speaking through the Jaba LGA Council Speaker, Hon. Dogo Zachariah, the Executive Chairperson of Jaba Local Government, Hon. Laria Sylvia Ishaku, expressed her deepest gratitude for being part of such a meaningful and memorable celebration.
Hon. Laria congratulated the newlyweds couple and encouraged them to embrace unity, love, and mutual respect in their marriage. She urged the couple to always see themselves as one and remain committed to understanding each other no matter the challenges they may encounter.
Hon. Laria warned the couple against allowing external influences or rumours to interfere in their relationship. “As a married couple, it’s crucial to cultivate trust and open communication,” Hon. Laria advised. “Never allow outsiders to sow discord or bring confusion into your home.”
She further appealed to the general public to avoid meddling in private marital affairs, reminding them that interfering negatively can damage the foundation of any union.
During the event, Professor Yasuf Joe Gandu, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences at Bingham University, Nasarawa State, also shared his thoughts. Prof. Gandu encouraged the couple to remain patient, tolerant, and supportive of one another. “You’ll never find a perfect husband or a perfect wife,” he said. “But through patience, love, and mutual understanding, couples can build a strong, everlasting relationship.”
The ceremony was further enriched with royal blessings, delivered on behalf of the Kpo Ham, HRH. Danladi Gyet Maude, through the District Head of Fada, His Royal Highness M.D Shehu, also known as the Tafidan Jaba.
HRH. Shehu extended his heartfelt prayers and blessings to Hon. Mustapha and Sister Fatima, wishing them a life filled with peace, love, and unity. He urged them to always strive for harmony and be each other’s support system through all phases of life.
The Royal Father also prayed for safe journey for all attendees, blessing them with journey mercies as they returned to their homes.
Lastly the newlyweds couple, Hon. Mustapha and Sister Fatima filled with emotion and gratitude, expressed their appreciation to everyone who had supported them during their journey to marriage. Surrounded by smiling faces and heartfelt wishes, Hon. Mustapha addressed the gathering with humility and thankfulness.
“We are truly blessed to have so many loved ones standing with us today,” he said. “Your prayers, love, and sacrifices mean the world to us. To those who travelled long distances, may your journey back be safe and peaceful.”
Sister Fatima, radiating grace and joy, echoed with heartfelt thanks to the families, friends, and well-wishers who made the day so special.
In a touching moment, the couple, Hon. Mustapha and Sister Fatima directed particular appreciation toward Hon. Laria Sylvia Ishaku for her extraordinary support and genuine kindness throughout their weeding preparations and on the wedding day itself. “Words cannot fully express our gratitude,” Hon. Mustapha said.
“May God reward you abundantly for your generosity, warmth, and encouragement. Your presence, support and prayers have added great meaning to our union, thank you so much Hon. Laria Sylvia Ishaku.”Hon. Mustapha added.
Seriake Dickson, senator representing Bayelsa west, says Ijaw Nation is not at war with the federal government or President Bola Tinubu.
Dickson spoke on Saturday after his visit to Siminalaye Fubara, suspended governor of Rivers, at his residence in Port Harcourt on Friday.
The lawmaker pleaded with Tinubu to prevail on Nyesom Wike, minister of FCT, and Fubara to find a common ground for a quick resolution of their dispute.
“On the part of the President, I would like to state that the Ijaw nation is not at war with the federal government or with the President,and we are looking up to him as the leader of the nation to lead in the resolution of the issues and restore normalcy and democratic rule,” the statement reads.
“I call on all leaders from the Niger Delta both at the state and national level to play an active part in the resolution of this issue.”
He noted that the Niger Deltans and Ijaw Nation have always seen the president as a partner and not a foe irrespective of party differences.
Dickson also appealed with Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator of Rivers, to refrain from actions that do not build confidence or aid the quick resolution of the crisis in the state.
He thanked the people of Rivers and security personnel for maintaining peace and order in the midst of such “rare political development”.
“In this regard, I want to appeal to all our people, the youths of Rivers state, and in particular the youths of Ijaw nation, in Rivers state and across the Niger Delta, from Arugbo in Ondo state, to Ibeno in Akwa Ibom state, to continue to be peaceful and resist any provocation or incitement to violence,” he added.
“They should refrain from violence and destructive tendencies, particularly the destruction and vandalization of strategic oil and gas infrastructure in the region, which has the tendency to cause further pollution-damage to our already compromised environment.
“I also urge the sole administrator, who himself is a highly decorated and respected military veteran from the Niger Delta region, to refrain from actions that do not build confidence and aid the quick and amicable resolution of the crisis.”
Dickson has been vocal about his stance on the emergency rule in Rivers. He staged a walkout from the upper legislative chamber prior to its approval by the senate.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has listed Nigeria and nine other countries as countries to be affected as it will cut 20% of its staff due to a shortfall of $58 million.
The U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher revealed this as he briefed staff after OCHA’s largest donor – the United States – cut funding.
“OCHA currently has a workforce of around 2,600 staff in over 60 countries. The funding shortfall means we are looking to regroup to an organization of around 2,100 staff in fewer locations,” Fletcher wrote in a note to staff on Thursday, as reported by Reuters.
OCHA works to mobilise aid, share information, support aid efforts, and advocate for those in need during a crisis. It relies heavily on voluntary contributions.
“The U.S. alone has been the largest humanitarian donor for decades, and the biggest contributor to OCHA’s programme budget,” Fletcher said, noting that its annual contribution of $63 million would have accounted for 20% of OCHA’s extrabudgetary resources in 2025.
Since returning to office in January for a second term, U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has slashed billions of dollars in foreign assistance in a review that aimed to ensure programs align with his “America First” foreign policy.
Fletcher said OCHA would “focus more of our resources in the countries where we work,” but would work in fewer places.
“OCHA will scale back our presence and operations in Cameroon, Colombia, Eritrea, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Gaziantep (in Turkey) and Zimbabwe,” Fletcher said.
“As we all know, these exercises are driven by funding cuts announced by Member States and not by a reduction of needs,” he said. “Humanitarian needs are on the rise and have perhaps never been higher, driven by conflicts, climate crises, disease, and the lack of respect of international humanitarian law.”
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last month announced a new initiative to improve efficiency and cut costs as the world body turns 80 this year amid a cash crisis.