By Princess Funsho Sumanu
Kogi State’s innovative integration of Primary Health Care Centres with Food Banks has earned national recognition, with the National Economic Council (NEC) Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) describing the initiative as the first of its kind in the North-Central and a model worthy of replication across Nigeria.
The Team Lead of the Committee, Prof. Jerome Aondohol, gave the commendation while briefing the Kogi State Government at the end of the second day of the Committee’s assessment visit to key legacy projects executed by the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
He noted that the initiative reflects the state’s commitment to addressing maternal and child malnutrition through practical, people-centred interventions that align with the Federal Government’s development priorities.
Prof. Aondohol explained that under the pioneering initiative, pregnant women and nursing mothers visiting designated Primary Health Care Centres undergo nutritional screening, while those diagnosed with acute nutritional deficiencies are referred to Food Banks where they receive nutritional support. He disclosed that the programme, currently being piloted in four Local Government Areas with nearly 200 beneficiaries, directly complements the Vice President’s 774 Nutrition Initiative and represents a significant innovation in public health delivery.
The Committee encouraged the Kogi State Government to scale the initiative to all 21 Local Government Areas, describing it as an impactful intervention capable of improving maternal and child health outcomes while strengthening community-based healthcare services.
The commendation formed part of the Committee’s broader assessment of Kogi State’s implementation of resolutions of the National Economic Council. The delegation, which is on a nationwide monitoring exercise, inspected major projects across strategic sectors and expressed satisfaction with the state’s performance in infrastructure, agriculture, health, security, governance and economic reforms.
Kogi State is the third state to be assessed by the Committee after Niger and Kwara States, with the delegation expected to continue the exercise in Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau States.
In the agricultural sector, the Committee applauded the procurement and deployment of approximately 190 tractors to promote mechanised farming and boost food production across the state. It also commended the government’s active participation in the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), which has led to the construction and remodelling of nine livestock markets, specialised training for livestock farmers on genetic estimation to improve carcass weight and milk production, as well as the development of a modern Livestock Centre designed to serve as a major intervention hub for the sector.
The delegation also inspected the ongoing construction of the state’s Cargo and Passenger Airport, describing the project as a strategic investment that will stimulate economic growth, attract investors, facilitate trade and create employment opportunities for the people of the state.
In the area of governance and public financial management, the Committee expressed satisfaction with the construction of the Treasury House Complex, which will bring together key financial management institutions under one roof to enhance efficiency, accountability and service delivery.
The Committee further visited the ongoing International Market project, noting that the modern commercial hub will relocate traders from congested roadside locations, improve traffic flow, enhance public safety and create a more conducive environment for commerce and investment.
On security, the delegation commended the state’s investment in security infrastructure, including the acquisition of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and operational vehicles to strengthen the state’s security architecture, protect lives and property, and support agricultural and economic activities across Kogi State.
The Committee equally acknowledged Kogi State’s progress under the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER), particularly the establishment of the institutional structures required to improve the ease of doing business.
It also recommended that the state leverage the forthcoming HOPE Project to further strengthen basic education infrastructure and improve learning outcomes.
At the conclusion of the assessment, Prof. Aondohol said the Committee was impressed by the quality of projects executed by the Ododo administration and the level of compliance with National Economic Council resolutions. He rated the performance of the Kogi State Government as “Exceedingly Well,” awarding the administration an A/A+ assessment for its commitment to innovative governance, prudent implementation of development programmes and impactful service delivery.
The Committee commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for providing purposeful leadership and sustaining investments in projects that directly improve the quality of life of the people. It also appreciated the Hon. Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Asiwaju Idris, who was represented throughout the exercise by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Philip Ochu, for the seamless coordination of logistics and operational activities that ensured the success of the assessment visit.
The National Economic Council Implementation Monitoring Committee reaffirmed that Kogi State has distinguished itself through innovation, strategic planning and effective implementation of development initiatives, expressing confidence that the state’s development trajectory remains firmly on course under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
