APPEALS Project: Applauds Trail Kogi State as Chief Onoja Hosts 8TH ISM Team »

Kogi State Deputy Governor, Chief (Dr.) Edward Onoja has said the State is achieving milestones in meeting the stipulated conditions for participating in the Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement, and Livelihood Support (APPEALS) Project.

He spoke to participants during the 8th Implementation Support Mission (ISM) visit to the State held at Reverton Hotel, on Tuesday.

Chief Onoja who is Steering Committee Chairman of Kogi-APPEALS, recommended that a similar value-based model be adopted across various sectors of the Nigerian economy to enhance the living conditions of the people.

He lauded the State Project Coordinator, Dr. Abdullahi Ozomata for the achievements recorded so far, saying Kogi State has justified its reputation of being the leading State in the implementation of the APPEALS vision.

He said Kogi State ranks high on support policy thrusts on Food Security, Local Production, Job Creation, and Economic Diversification, commending President Muhammadu Buhari, World Bank Task Team Leader, Dr. Adetunji Oredipe, National Project Coordinator, Mr. Mohammed Jobdi, and other members of the Project for ensuring its smooth operations so far.

On his part, the SPC, Dr. Abdullahi Ozomata presented a scorecard across the different components of the State with robust contributions on the strategies of scaling up performance of the Project in achieving its development objectives.

He cited gains such as facilitation of farm inputs/seedlings, construction of roads and borehole facilities, productivity enhancement, value addition, post-harvest management, women and youth empowerment, infrastructure support, technical assistance, and provision of haulage facilities, amongst others.

He appreciated Governor Yahaya Bello and his Deputy, Chief Onoja for their unwavering support of the Project in improving the priority value chains of cashew, cassava, and rice for farmers and marketers, including People Living with Disabilities, PLWDs.

Speaking, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. David Apeh and other ISM visiting delegation upheld the successes of APPEALS in Kogi State in the period under review.