Gov Ododo Reiterates Commitment To Food Security, Road Rehabilitation In Bassa LG
By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
Kogi State
July 16, 2026
Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to boosting food production through the distribution of agricultural inputs for the 2026 wet season farming.
Speaking in Oguma, Bassa Local Government Area on Thursday through his Deputy, His Excellency Comrade Joel Salifu, the Governor described the council as a major contributor to the state’s food basket and commended farmers for their efforts.
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He noted that the government has continued to provide fertilizers, herbicides, knapsack sprayers and extension services to farmers since 2024 to reduce production costs and ensure improved harvests. According to him, the administration is also investing in processing and marketing infrastructure to strengthen the agricultural value chain.
Governor Ododo acknowledged the hardship caused by the poor condition of roads in Bassa, assuring residents that the government is aware of their suffering. He said he personally experienced the challenges on his way to the area and disclosed that road rehabilitation has been prioritised and will receive greater attention after the rainy season.
The Governor also expressed concern over the recent abduction of students from Olowa Secondary School in Dekina Local Government Area. He commended security agencies for their prompt intervention and ongoing efforts to secure the safe release of the victims, while warning school owners against operating in unsecured environments.
He further directed schools participating in the ongoing examinations to comply with the state’s security protocols. The Governor urged farmers to make proper use of the agricultural inputs, stressing that the items were strictly meant for farming purposes and not for sale.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Mukhtar Shaibu, and the Chairman of Bassa Local Government Area, Hon. Theophilus Daruwana, thanked the government for choosing Bassa for the flag-off. They appealed for urgent intervention on the Odenyi-Oguma road and pledged their support for Governor Ododo beyond 2027.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojoma, said Bassa was selected because of its importance as a farming area, just as Ibaji recently hosted a similar exercise. He added that the items displayed were symbolic, noting that about 35 per cent of the state’s agricultural inputs had been allocated to Bassa local government.
Hon. Timothy assured that the ministry would continue to implement Governor Ododo’s agricultural policies aimed at ensuring that Kogi State produces what it eats and eats what it produces. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting farmers with improved seedlings and other essential inputs.
Prior to the event, the Deputy Governor stopped over at Olowa in Dekina Local Government Area to sympathise with residents over the recent abduction of staffs and students from the community’s secondary school. He reassured them of the government’s commitment to the safe rescue of the victims, while the people commended Governor Ododo for his swift intervention.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JULY 17TH 2026)
