By Nkechi Eze
The Federal Government has initiated the process for distribution of various food items to the Kogi State Government. This action follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for the release of grains to alleviate the effects of the current global economic climate on vulnerable persons across the country.
President Tinubu had authorized the release of 42,000MT of assorted grains from the National Strategic Reserve for distribution to vulnerable individuals across all local government areas of the states of the Federation.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and the National Emergency Management Agency have started the transportation and distribution process.
At the flag-off event in Lokoja Mrs. Zubaida Umar, Director General of NEMA, who was represented by Bashir Idris Garga, Zonal Director of NEMA North Central, presented the items to Kogi State Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo who was represented by the Deputy Governor Comrade Joel Oyino. The event was also attended by Head of NEMA Disaster Response unit and commander of NNS Lugard Naval Base Lokoja Commodore MM Epele, other top Government officials of Kogi state, Religious and Traditional leaders, civil society organisations and labour leaders.
Governor Ahmed usman Ododo in his remarks presented by the Deputy Governor expressed his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government for the support. He confirmed the receipt of the items from NEMA and committed to ensuring that the prescribed guidelines for their distribution are followed.
In his speech at the flag off the representative of the DG NEMA, accompanied by Mr. Justin Nwazuronye, head of the NEMA Abuja operations office, noted that the delivered items to Kogi State included 462 MT of maize (9,240 50kg bags), 546 MT of sorghum (10,920 50kg bags), 189 MT of millet (3,780 50kg bags), and 98 MT of garri (3,920 25kg bags).
He also outlined the list of local government areas and stakeholders involved in the distribution and the proportions of items reserved for different groups of vulnerable people.
Members of the Kogi state cultural troop were on hand to perform at the ceremony.
