# Tags

GOVERNOR ODODO DISTRIBUTES PALLIATIVES TO 1,500 WIDOWS ACROSS KOGI STATE

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has distributed palliatives to 1,500 widows across the 21 local government areas in the state as part of a broad initiative aimed at alleviating economic hardship faced by vulnerable groups. The ceremony, held at the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre in Lokoja, highlighted the state government’s continued commitment to empowering women and improving the welfare of disadvantaged citizens. Governor Ododo emphasized the importance of supporting widows and vulnerable groups in society, describing it as “a moral duty, a sacred responsibility.” He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to prioritizing the needs of indigent members of society, especially women and children. “I want every widow in Kogi State to hear me. I carry your welfare into every policy and decision I make, and as long as I am your Chief Servant, you will always have a place in our government, in our plan and in my heart,” Governor Ododo said. The governor also announced plans for a support system that includes skills training, access to healthcare, small business funding, and access to education for the children of beneficiaries. Over 1,000 beneficiaries received a comprehensive package that included a bag of rice, clothing materials, financial assistance, and other food items. Governor Ododo urged the beneficiaries to make the best use of the support they received to uplift their families and contribute to the economy of their communities. The palliative distribution is part of ongoing interventions under the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, which aligns with Governor Ododo’s agenda to provide meaningful relief and sustainable support to the state’s most vulnerable citizens. Beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the governor’s proactive steps in addressing challenges faced by vulnerable groups, describing the intervention as timely and impactful.

PRESIDENT TINUBU CALLS FOR UNITY AND PROSPERITY IN NIGERIA

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emphasized the importance of unity in achieving national progress, citing the confluence of River Niger and River Benue in Lokoja, Kogi State, as a metaphor for collective strength. Speaking at the Kogi Dialogue, which marked Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s first year in office, President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said, “The convergence of these rivers is not just a geographical event; it is a divine lesson in strength and continuity. It symbolizes the power of unity—where individual streams combine to create a force capable of shaping destinies and carving paths.” Confluence Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, noted that President Tinubu praised Governor Ododo for launching the Kogi Dialogue, describing it as “a spark of wisdom and a critical step toward fostering reconciliation and progress.” Nkwocha added that the President urged leaders to build bridges across the country and prioritize dialogue for resolving differences and promoting national cohesion. President Tinubu emphasized that “dialogue is not just an opportunity to air grievances. It is the true path to justice, reconciliation, and understanding. Without dialogue, history will pass us by, leaving us abandoned by time and forgotten by progress.” He appealed to leaders to reject division and embrace unity, stating that “chaos and discord are ladders for the self-serving, but unity is the bridge that carries us all forward”. In his remarks, Governor Ododo thanked President Tinubu and the people of Kogi State for their support. He also paid tribute to Vice President Shettima for his support and inspiration. Governor Ododo noted that Kogi State is blessed with rich human, natural, and material resources, and urged indigenes to prioritize the state’s development. The event was attended by notable figures, including the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and former Governor Yahaya Bello. The highpoint of the visit was the commissioning of road projects executed by the Ododo administration during his first year in office.