Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has said his administration is committed to strengthening food security value chain through sustained support for farmers in the state.
The Governor gave the assurance during the distribution of agricultural inputs for the 2026 wet season farming in Oguma, Bassa Local Government Area.
Represented by his Deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu, Governor Ododo described Bassa as one of Kogi State’s foremost agricultural hubs and commended farmers in the area for their vital contribution to food production in the state.
He said the administration has consistently provided fertilizers, herbicides, sprayers and extension services to farmers since 2024 to reduce production costs, improve yields and enhance food security across the state.
The Governor further noted that his administration is also investing in agricultural processing and marketing infrastructure to strengthen the value chain, create jobs and improve farmers’ incomes.
Addressing concerns over the state of roads in Bassa, Governor Ododo acknowledged the hardship faced by residents, noting that the government is taking measures to address the challenges.
He assured the people that the rehabilitation of critical roads in the local government has been prioritised and will receive greater attention immediately after the rainy season.
The Governor urged beneficiaries to utilise the agricultural inputs solely for farming activities, stressing that they were provided to improve productivity and should not be diverted for sale.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojoma, said Bassa was selected for the distribution exercise because of its strategic importance to the state’s agricultural production, noting that a similar exercise had earlier been held in Ibaji Local Government Area.
He disclosed that the items displayed at the event were symbolic, adding that about 35 per cent of the agricultural inputs for the 2026 wet season in the state is allocated to farmers in Bassa.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mukhtar Shaibu, and the Chairman of Bassa Local Government Area, Hon. Theophilus Daruwana, commended the state government on the exercise.
They appealed for urgent intervention on the Odenyi–Oguma Road and pledged continued support for Governor Ododo’s administration.
Earlier, the Deputy Governor visited Olowa Community in Dekina Local Government Area to sympathise with residents over the recent abduction of staff and students of Government Secondary School, Olowa.
He commended security agencies for their swift response and ongoing rescue operations, expressing confidence that the victims would be safely reunited with their families.
He reassured the community of the government’s commitment to securing the safe rescue of the victims.
He cautioned school proprietors and management against operating in vulnerable locations and directed schools participating in the ongoing NECO examinations to comply with the state’s security protocols.
Residents of the community expressed appreciation to Governor Ododo for his prompt response and sustained efforts to address security challenges in the state.
