Nigeria Food security: Onoja lauds Ibaji agricultural potentials, asks FG for special fund to address flood problems in coastal states »

The potential of Ibaji Local Government Area in Kogi State in food security for the country, if properly harnessed can assist in ending hunger, assist in boostting foreign exchange for Nigeria and provide employment opportunities for the youth and other stakeholders and farmers in the country.

The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Chief Edward Onoja has said in his address on Thursday at the headquarters of the council during the conclusion of his ‘Thank You’ visits across Igala land that there was need to reach out to other coastal states to address the perennial flood problems ravaging the LGA and other communities suffering the same fate.

He said if the flood problems are addressed, it would not only aide the agricultural sector but also impact other infrastructures such as roads for enhanced socioeconomic wellbeing of the people.

Chief Onoja appealed to the Federal Government to provide special funding through affected states for affected communities, saying that if the FG could make available resources for the reconstruction of areas ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency, there was the need to provide same for areas suffering from natural disasters.

He said the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello places high priority on Ibaji and its people and promised them a better deal in the second tenure of Governor Yahaya Bello because of their demonstration of overwhelming support for him and the APC in the November 16, 2019 governorship polls.

The Deputy Govenror assured them that Governor Bello is a man that rewards good gestures with his own good gesture, and promised that the administration has them in its plans for the overall development of Kogi East and the state in general.

In his address, the Eje Ibaji, HRH Chief John Egwemi appealed to the Federal Government to construct dams in the country and give political will to dredging of River Niger to avert the negative effects of perennial flooding being suffered by the area.

He also appealed for necessary stakeholders including government to take steps to invite investors for the purpose of exploration and exploitation of other areas of Ibaji Local Government for Oil, assuring that the council is filled with Crude Oil so as to end the unnecessary loss of youths to the inter communal clashes over boundary issues with communities in Anambra State over the resources.

While thanking the present administration for its continued support to the traditional institutions in Ibaji and other concerted efforts to bring development closer to rural dwellers, he appealed for the completion of the contract for a Cottage Hospital in his village awarded by the present administration. He said equipments have been put on ground awaiting the completion.

Other speakers including the member representing the Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon David Zachariah, the Director of Protocol to the Governor, Dr Gabriel Ottah, the administrator, Ambassador Tony Ogah all applauded the deputy governor for the visit and assured him of the support of the people of the area to the policies and programmes of Governor Bello – led administration.

Highlights of the event was the presentation of traditional Kolanut by the traditional ruler and other gifts to the deputy governor, appraisals on the latest development about settling the boundary disputes with Anambra and Kogi States among others.