News

JUST IN: Yuletide: Governor Ododo Distributes Over 100 Trucks of Rice to Residents

Published

8 months ago

December 19, 2024

66 Views

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has distributed over 100 truck loads of rice to residents of the state as part of efforts to ensure a joyous Christmas and New Year celebration for families.

The gesture, aimed at alleviating the burden of rising costs during the festive period, was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, on Friday in Lokoja.

Fanwo noted that the initiative underscores the Governor’s commitment to the welfare of the people.

“I can confirm that the People’s Governor, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo, has taken delivery of over 100 truckloads of rice, which are being distributed to the 21 Local Government Areas.

This is to ensure that families across the state enjoy their holidays,” he said. Fanwo added that the Governor, in addition to this gesture, ensured the timely payment of salaries to civil servants on December 14, 2024, while also making provisions for residents not directly on the government payroll.

“The Governor has once again demonstrated his unbending commitment to the welfare of the people, in line with his oath to defend and promote the interests of Kogi citizens.

His actions continue to reflect his determination to prioritize the needs of the masses,” Fanwo stated.

To ensure equitable distribution, the Governor directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to oversee the process and prevent political interference.

“The Governor has mandated the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to ensure that the materials reach those who need them most.

Measures have been put in place to prevent the distribution from being hijacked by politicians or other interest groups.

This administration is committed to fairness and transparency in every initiative,” Fanwo said. Reports from various Local Government Areas indicate that the distribution has sparked jubilation among residents, with many praising the Governor’s leadership and compassion.

A resident of Ajaka in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area, Mr. Andrew Abah, lauded the Governor’s efforts, describing him as a leader with an unwavering commitment to his people.

“This Governor has shown remarkable capacity and genuine love for his people. He is detribalized and inclusive, ensuring that the welfare of civil servants and ordinary citizens is prioritized.

He is making it difficult for anyone to dislike him,” Abah said. The distribution of rice is part of a broader strategy by Governor Ododo’s administration to cushion the effects of economic hardship on Kogi residents, particularly during the festive season.

This initiative has further solidified his reputation as a leader who is deeply attuned to the needs of his people.

News

Rice farmers blame price hike on cartel, middlemen

The main issue is that the rice price hike can be linked to a cartel that wants to frustrate the government’s effort.

Published

5 hours ago

August 18, 2025

OhiBaba

21 Views

Local rice farmers under the membership of All Farmers Association of Nigeria ( AFAN) have blamed the continuous hike in the price of the commodity on the activities of unscrupulous farmers and middlemen in the sector.

The vice-chairman of the association, Mr Sakin Agbayewa, said that the consistent fluctuations in the price of rice could be linked to human manipulations, in spite of the government’s efforts.

“As regards the high price of rice, I think we are taking one step forward and five steps backwards.

“A few months ago, the federal government came out with a waiver, giving some companies a small waiver to import rice into the country to crush the price. And while that was on, did they mobilise the local farmers? That is where the issue lies.

“Although the federal government empowered a few farmers with a 75 per cent reduction on the cost of production, others were given fertilisers for free.

“Now, the question is this. Those local farmers who were empowered, did they really cultivate anything?

“The main issue is that the rice price hike can be linked to a cartel that wants to frustrate the government’s effort.

“While the waiver was in effect, they imported rice into the country, and the price decreased. However, during this period, they were also warehousing the rice.

“Now that the importation waiver is over, the cartel is creating artificial scarcity,” Agbayewa said.

News

Group Plans One Million Solidarity March to Jonathan, following apologies

Published

15 hours ago

August 17, 2025

Charles Flames

31 Views

“Bring Back Our Goodluck” North-East group planned to stage a one-million-man march to the former president Goodluck Jonathan’s country home in Bayelsa to prevail on him to contest the 2027 presidential election after their tour of the whole regions in Nigeria.

The National Chairman of the group, Grema Kyari stated this in Maiduguri when hundreds of youths gathered to strategise on the return of Goodluck Jonathan to presidential villa in 2027.

The group tendered an unreserved apology to former President Goodluck Jonathan over what they described as a damaging narrative of sponsoring Boko Haram terrorists used in removing him from office in 2015.

They said that they now believed that the former President was removed from office in 2015 as a result of “regime change” orchestrated by foreign powers, especially the Democrats-Obama/Biden US administration of 2014 in connivance with some desperate politicians in Nigeria.

“We are gathered here today at a time when our beloved country stands at a decisive crossroads.

The Nigeria of today is struggling under the weight of economic hardship, rising insecurity, and deepening divisions.

Citizens are losing trust in the very institutions meant to protect and serve them.

“I come before you not only as the National Chairman of ‘Bring Back Our Goodluck’ but as a witness to history and as a Nigerian who, like millions of others, was once misled. I am from Borno State, one of the epicenters of the Boko Haram insurgency.

“During the presidency of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, a damaging narrative was widely spread in our communities that he sponsored Boko Haram and used the military to suppress us.

These lies thrived in an environment of limited restricted access to truth. But today, with broader exposure and clear understanding, I know those accusations were false.”