The Kogi State Government has appealed to Nigerians to avoid the proposed protest scheduled for August 1st to 10th, 2024, while empowering 500 women and youth through the poultry value-chain credit support program.
This appeal was made by the government in Lokoja on Tuesday.
The state government emphasized that the current economic hardship was inherited by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, arguing that protests would only further harm the nation’s economy.
“As a state, we will continue to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s laudable initiative in making Nigeria great. To those Nigerians who are bent on violent protests, let reasoning prevail. We are making progress. We are moving forward. Our hopes are back,” a government spokesperson stated.
The government warned that any violent protest at this time would reverse the gains made over the past 13 months, attributing the intent of protest promoters to political desperation.
“We call on all the youth of our dear nation to rise behind Mr. President in his determination to fix the nation back on track. Mr. President is trying. What we are facing today is not caused by him. He inherited this economic crisis and hardship and he is trying to pull us out of it. We urge everyone to support Mr. President’s programs and policies so that together we can jointly pull ourselves out of this economic hardship.”
The government criticized those advocating for protests, suggesting they send their own children to protest if they are sincere. “Tell those that are telling you to go on the street to protest to bring their children. You cannot send your children abroad, thinking we are fools. We are not fools. Mr. President is trying. We will continue to support him so that we will be pulled out of this inherited economic crisis,” the spokesperson added.
Regarding the empowerment program, the state government highlighted the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) as a significant step towards food security and economic prosperity in Nigeria.
“It aligns seamlessly with our administration’s short, medium, and long-term plan to make Kogi the epicenter of livestock production in Nigeria. We are determined to achieve the project development objective here in Kogi state. A poultry boom in our dear state will mean serving 10 other states and the federal capital territory,” the government explained.
The Kogi State Government assured the World Bank of its commitment to injecting projects with great political will and zeal for the benefit of the people.
Before now, Dr. Olufemi Bolarin, Kogi State Project Coordinator for L-PRES, noted that the program aims to improve livestock productivity, commercialize value chains, and strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to emergencies. He urged all beneficiaries to make the most of this opportunity to transform the livestock industry in Kogi State.
In his address, Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojoma, denied allegations from viral videos claiming the state diverted palliatives meant to alleviate the current economic hardship.
Ojoma clarified that the video originated from Abuja, not Kogi State, and accused mischief makers of trying to tarnish the administration’s image.
“The viral video being circulated on social media that Kogi State diverted palliatives is false. It didn’t emanate from our State. There was never a time when Kogi State took delivery of beans but grains. It happened in Area 11 Abuja.
“This is the handwork of mischief makers and our enemies. They will never succeed. We appeal to the general public to disregard such mischievous and fake news circulating on the social media space. The present administration has been transparent in the distribution of palliatives to cushion the effects of the hardship in our country. I am urging them to have confidence in the present administration,” he added.