Gov. Ododo Hosts First Lady Oluremi Tinubu in Kogi as FG Backs Food Security and Women Empowerment Drive

It was a day of high-level engagements in Kogi State on Monday as Governor H.E. Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA received the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON on a one-day working visit aimed at strengthening federal-state partnerships in governance, agriculture, and social welfare.

The visit underscored the Tinubu administration’s focus on bringing key national programs closer to the people, with Kogi positioned as a central hub for the North Central Zone.

New Treasury and Pension House Commissioned to Deepen Transparency
Immediately after her arrival in Lokoja, Senator Tinubu proceeded to commission the newly completed Kogi State Treasury and Pension House
The modern facility is designed to streamline public financial management, ensure prompt payment of pensions and gratuities, and block leakages in the state’s payroll system.

Government officials noted that the project aligns with broader efforts to promote accountability in governance and restore confidence among civil servants and retirees who have waited years for their entitlements.

Inspection of North Central Food Bank Signals Push for Food Security
The First Lady also toured the National Community Food Bank Project for the North Central Zone, one of the federal government’s strategic interventions to address hunger and reduce post-harvest losses.

The Food Bank is expected to serve as a buffer for vulnerable households by storing, preserving, and distributing staple foods during periods of scarcity. With Kogi’s vast agricultural potential in yam, cassava, maize and rice, stakeholders say the project could help stabilize food prices and support smallholder farmers across the zone by providing a ready market for surplus produce.

Women’s Empowerment Programme Launched to Support Agri-Entrepreneurs
The major highlight of the visit was the launch of a Women’s Empowerment Programme in Kogi State. The initiative targets women in agriculture, agro-processing, trade, and small-scale enterprises with grants, training, and access to markets.

Senator Tinubu, who is a strong advocate for women and youth development, emphasized that empowering women in agriculture is critical to achieving national food security. She noted that when women farmers have access to inputs, finance, and storage, entire communities benefit from improved nutrition and household income.

Governor Ododo described the First Lady’s visit as a validation of Kogi’s development strides and a morale booster for his administration. He pledged that the state will continue to align its policies with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in the areas of agriculture, poverty reduction, and good governance.
“We are grateful for this visit. Kogi State remains committed to food security, transparent governance, and empowering our women and youths who are the backbone of our economy, the Governor said.

The day’s activities concluded with prayers for peace, progress, and prosperity in Kogi State and across Nigeria.