By Ishaq Dan-Imam, Lokoja
The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu on Saturday, distributed assorted commodities to Farmers and Traders in Kogi State.
The minister supervised the distribution of nearly 4,000 bags of rice and fertilizers as palliatives to Kogi indigenes across the 21 local government areas of the state at a ceremony in Lokoja amid pump and funfair.
The palliatives included 2,400 bags of rice and 1,200 bags of fertilizers. The distribution was part of the activities to commemorate one year in office of the Minister.
The Minister said the gesture was in furtherance of the Renewed Hope Agenda initiatives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration on food security.
Prince Audu said that the distribution of the items to vulnerable indigenes and eligible farmers was aimed at reducing the impact of the food inflation on indigenes of the state as the benefits from the efforts of the Federal Government towards improving living conditions of the people in the face of the current food crisis.
“Today, I am here to distribute almost 4,000 bags of rice and fertilizers across the 21 local government areas of Kogi state to ensure that all stakeholders in Kogi State benefit from the palliatives under the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President to ensure food security.
“And I want to thank all of you, especially 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, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and myself the Minister.
“We advised that youths engage in dialogue rather than joining the protests. We would not let you down for giving us the benefit of the doubt.
“In the last year, my tenure as Honourable Minister, I have provided 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, as a result of this effort, 250 million naira was disbursed to kogites.
“We distributed several palliatives earlier this year, and in addition to that we are in here today doing more,” Prince Audu stated.
The minister assured the people of the state that as there in the federal executive council, he will continue to bring home gains from the Renewed Hope Agenda initiatives of Mr. President geared towards developing the state and improving the welfare and livelihoods of the people.
The traditional leader of Lokoja, Maigari of Lokoja, and His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi IV, thanked the Minister for the incentives. The traditional leader noted that it would go a long way in bringing relief to the people.
Mr. Stephen Bala Jibrin, Secretary, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Kogi State Chapter, described the gesture as a timely intervention as Farmers in the state need fertilizers and other farm inputs.
“As farmers, our heartfelt gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for recognizing Farmers in 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 fertilizers get to farmers even at the grassroots. We have local government coordinators and ward coordinators. So, we are going to channel the items through them for further distribution.”
Miss Ruth Dada, a trader in Kogi State, also thanked the Minister for reaching out to the traders.
“He knows there is hunger, and he has the spirit of giving to the poor and we pray God to promote him higher as we appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the initiative.”
The Minister bagged the Outstanding Personality award for his “Progressive Empowerment Project for Nigerian Women” in recognition of his commitment towards reviving the Ajaokuta steel industry now undergoing resuscitation.
