Kogi State Government Inaugurates 13-Member NG-CARES State Steering Committee

By Abubakar Shuaibu A.

The Kogi State Government has inaugurated a 13-member Nigeria Community Action on Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) 2.0 State Steering Committee (SCSC) to provide the necessary framework for the successful implementation of the programme in the state.

The NG-CARES is a Federal Government and World Bank-assisted initiative aimed at supporting state-level interventions to restore livelihoods, enhance food security, and improve access to basic services.

Inaugurating the Committee in her office in Lokoja on Thursday, the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State (SGS), Mrs. Folashade Arike Ayoade, Ph.D, said the Committee is empowered to provide oversight and policy guidance for the implementation of the programme in the state.

The SGS noted that women remain among the most vulnerable groups in society and charged members of the Committee to pay special attention to initiatives that would improve their livelihoods and overall well-being.

According to her, the programme is designed to support existing social safety nets, livelihood grants, and agricultural value chains, among other intervention areas, adding that the careful selection of experienced and competent individuals into the Committee was informed by the need to ensure effective management and successful implementation of the programme in the state.

Responding on behalf of the Committee, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hajia Rabiatu Okute, assured that the Committee would ensure prudent management of resources and strict compliance with the objectives of the programme.

She pledged the Committee’s commitment to delivering on its mandate and making the state proud through effective implementation of the initiative.

Also speaking during the inauguration, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Ochu Omeiza Philip, explained that the NG-CARES 2.0 programme is intended to secure additional financing for the continuation and expansion of the intervention programme.

He added that with the inauguration of the State Steering Committee, the state can now formally access additional financing to carry out the objectives of the programme.

The Committee has the Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Asiwaju Asiru Idris, FCA, as Chairman.

Other members include Mr. Ochu Omeiza Philip, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning; Chief (Dr.) Habibat Oyiza Tijjani Onumoko, Accountant General of Kogi State; Mallam Yakubu Yusuf Okala, Auditor General of Kogi State; Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd), State Security Adviser; and Hon. Timothy Ojomah, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security.

Others are Hajia Rabiatu Okute, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation; Hon. Acharu Okpanachi, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development; Hon. Anyebe Aridajo Monday, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development; Engr. Abdulmutalib Mohammed, Commissioner for Rural and Energy Development; Engr. Joseph Oluwasegun Stephen, Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management; and the Chairman, Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), while Mr. Sunday Igoche will serve as Secretary of the Committee.