By Salawu Nneka Patience
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has flagged off the distribution of agricultural inputs for the 2026 wet farming season in Bassa Local Government Area as part of his administration’s efforts to boost food production, ensure food security and strengthen agricultural development across the state.
The Governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Joel Oyibo Salifu, said the exercise underscored the government’s commitment to empowering farmers with the necessary inputs to increase productivity and improve their livelihoods.
The deputy Chief Servant described Bassa as one of Kogi State’s foremost agricultural hubs, noting that the local government makes significant contributions to the production of rice, maize, guinea corn, groundnuts and other staple crops that sustain the state’s economy.
He reiterated the administration’s agricultural vision of “producing what we eat and eating what we produce,” stressing that the government would continue to implement policies and programmes aimed at making Kogi a leading food-producing state. He added that strategic partnerships with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project had continued to strengthen agricultural production and improve the livelihoods of farmers across the state.
According to him, the proposed Agro-Industrial Processing Zone Programme, when fully operational, would create thousands of employment opportunities for Kogi citizens, encourage agro-processing and add value to agricultural produce.
The Deputy Governor further assured residents that Governor Ododo remained committed to improving road infrastructure across the state to facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce, boost commercial activities and enhance the overall quality of life of the people.
He also commiserated with the families of victims recently kidnapped in Olowoniwa, Dekina Local Government Area, assuring them that the Kogi State Government was working closely with security agencies to secure the release of the victims and reunite them safely with their loved ones. He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the protection of lives and property, stressing that Governor Ododo would continue to provide the necessary support to security agencies to rid the state of criminal elements and ensure lasting peace.
He urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the farm inputs to ensure a bumper harvest, emphasizing that the items were strictly for farming purposes and not for sale.Gov. Ododo Flags Off Wet Season Farm Input Distribution in Bassa
The agricultural inputs distributed included NPK Geo Plus fertilizer, Geo Green Urea fertilizer, herbicide (selective) for rice and maize weeding and knapsack sprayers.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Bassa Local Government Area, Hon. Theophilus Adama, described the occasion as a historic milestone for the council, noting that it was the first time the state government was flagging off the distribution of agricultural inputs in Bassa.
He described Bassa as one of the most peaceful local government areas in Kogi State and thanked Governor Ododo for selecting the council as the venue for the exercise. According to him, the choice of Bassa reflected the Governor’s recognition of the area’s enormous contribution to agricultural production and his commitment to supporting farmers at the grassroots.
Adama assured the state government that the people of Bassa would make effective use of the inputs to increase food production, improve household incomes and contribute meaningfully to the state’s food security agenda. He also pledged the continued support and cooperation of the people with the programmes and policies of the Ododo administration.
Delivering his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Alh. Muhammed Muktar Shuaibu commended Governor Ododo for sustaining investments in agriculture, describing the sector as the backbone of Kogi State’s economy and a major catalyst for industrial growth.
He observed that increased agricultural production would not only guarantee food security but also provide raw materials for agro-processing industries, create employment opportunities and stimulate economic development across the state.
The Commissioner appealed to the Governor to give urgent attention to the rehabilitation of the road leading to the Bassa Local Government Secretariat, noting that an improved road network would ease the movement of agricultural produce, enhance commercial activities and provide better access to markets for farmers and traders.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah, described Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo as “a leader who leads from the front,” stating that the administration’s commitment to agriculture had continued to transform the sector and improve the livelihoods of farmers across Kogi State.
He explained that Bassa Local Government was deliberately selected for the flag-off because of its strategic importance as one of the state’s major food-producing areas, with thousands of farmers engaged in the cultivation of rice, maize, cassava, groundnuts, guinea corn and other staple crops.
According to the Commissioner, the distribution of NPK Geo Plus fertilizer, Geo Green Urea fertilizer, herbicides (selective) and knapsack sprayers forms part of the government’s broader strategy to increase agricultural productivity, reduce production costs and guarantee food security.
Hon.Ojomah said Governor Ododo’s vision of “producing what we eat and eating what we produce” was becoming a reality through deliberate investments in agriculture and strategic collaborations with IFAD and ACReSAL. He added that beyond the distribution of farm inputs, the administration was investing in modern agricultural implements, value addition and agro-processing initiatives aimed at increasing farmers’ incomes and positioning Kogi State to compete favourably in agricultural production.
He urged beneficiaries to use the inputs strictly for farming purposes, expressing confidence that the intervention would result in higher yields during the wet farming season and further strengthen Kogi State’s contribution to national food production.
Also speaking, the member representing Bassa State Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Sunday Daku, commended Governor Ododo for choosing Bassa as the venue for the exercise, saying the gesture demonstrated the Governor’s love and commitment to the people of the area. He expressed confidence that the people would continue to support the administration’s developmental programmes.
Speaking on behalf of women in the local government, Mrs Grace expressed appreciation to Governor Ododo and Deputy Governor Joel Oyibo Salifu for their continued support for women and other vulnerable groups. She also appealed to the state government to create employment opportunities for youths through recruitment into the state civil service, saying such a move would further strengthen the confidence of young people in the administration.
The event attracted serving and former members of the Kogi State House of Assembly, top government functionaries, commissioners, special advisers, local government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, political stakeholders, farmers’ associations, women and youth groups, as well as other dignitaries from within and outside Bassa Local Government Area. The large turnout reflected the importance attached to the state’s agricultural transformation agenda and underscored the broad support for Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s commitment to strengthening food security, increasing agricultural productivity and improving the socio-economic well-being of the people. Participants commended the administration’s sustained investment in agriculture and expressed optimism that the timely distribution of farm inputs would translate into a successful wet farming season and increased food production across Kogi State.
