In response to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to release grains from the National Strategic Reserve to mitigate the impact of the global economic downturn, the Federal Government has commenced the distribution of various food items to the Kogi State Government.
At a flag-off event in Lokoja, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) initiated the transportation and distribution process.
Mrs Zubaida Umar, Director General of NEMA, represented by Bashir Idris Garga, Zonal Director of NEMA North Central, presented the items to Kogi State Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, represented by Deputy Governor Comrade Joel Oyino.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the Federal Government for the support, confirming the receipt of the items from NEMA. He pledged to ensure adherence to prescribed guidelines for their distribution.
The items delivered to Kogi State included 462 MT of maize, 546 MT of sorghum, 189 MT of millet, and 98 MT of garri.
”These commodities will be distributed across all local government areas of the state to benefit vulnerable individuals,” Governor Ododo pledged.
In his remarks, the representative of the DG NEMA highlighted the involvement of various stakeholders in the distribution process and outlined the proportions of items reserved for different groups of vulnerable people.
The event was attended by top government officials, religious and traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and labour leaders, and it also featured performances by Kogi State cultural troupe members.
