The Kogi State Government has empowered members of the South-South community resident in the state with sewing machines, grinding machines, textile materials and a cash donation of N1.5 million.
The empowerment was announced by the State Security Adviser to the Governor, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd), during a meeting with members of the community at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Lokoja.
Omodara, who presented the items and cash on behalf of the state government, said his connection with the South-South region dated back to the beginning of his military career, when he served as a Naval Instructor in Rivers State.
“I am also your brother from the South-South,” he said, while appreciating the leadership of the community for promoting unity among residents from the various South-South states living in Kogi.
The Security Adviser commended the President of the South-South community in Kogi State and Special Adviser to the Governor on South-South Affairs, Hon. Mike Abu, for what he described as purposeful leadership.
He also highlighted some of the achievements of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration, including the ongoing construction of an international airport, an international market and 10-kilometre roads across each of the 21 local government areas of the state.
Omodara urged members of the South-South community to continue supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the administrations at both the state and federal levels. He also called on them to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the next general elections.
Speaking, the President of the South-South community in Kogi State, Hon. Mike Abu, expressed appreciation to Governor Ododo for the warm reception accorded members of the community during their recent visit to the Government House.
Abu pledged the continued support of the community for the state government, while also thanking the Security Adviser for the empowerment initiative.
Also speaking, former Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly and APC leader in Lokoja Local Government Area, Hon. Alfa Imam, urged members of the South-South community to support President Tinubu and the APC.
Imam described President Tinubu as a leader who is serious and determined to transform the country.
He noted that, as a bona fide son of Lokoja, he regarded many South-South residents as brothers and sisters, recalling their long-standing relationship with the people of the area, particularly those who worked with the defunct Inland Waterways Department (IWD), now the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
He urged members of the community to vote for the APC in the forthcoming local government elections and in subsequent presidential, National Assembly and, most importantly, the 2027 governorship election.
The empowerment programme, he said, would further strengthen the relationship between the Kogi State Government and the South-South community resident in the state
