Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, announced over N5bn intervention plans on Wednesday which he said would play a big role in helping the residents of the state stay afloat the biting effects of the country’s struggling economy due to the growing inflation and currency devaluation.
This came FG announced on Wednesday that the distribution of 42,000 metric tonnes of grains to poor Nigerians at no cost has been approved by President Bola Tinubu.
Abiodun said the intervention was a direct response to the government’s constant indifference to and insensitivity to the difficult circumstances facing Nigerians.
According to the governor, the intervention measures would address food distribution, health care, and targeted welfare benefits for the workers in addition to education.
Whatever the nation was going through, he added that sacrifices had to be made to ensure a better tomorrow.
Abiodun expressed his admiration for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unceasing efforts in negotiating the intricate economic terrain of the country, noting that his commitment to guiding the ship through tumultuous times had not gone ignored.
The Federal Government declared that, to guarantee that the supplies reach the intended citizens across the country, the Department of State Services and the National Emergency Management Agency have been involved in the distribution process of the 42,000MT of grains that Tinubu had approved.
At a ministerial press briefing in Abuja, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari further announced that the government would be helping 500,000 farmers cultivate and produce one million metric tonnes of rice.
He said that this would raise Nigeria’s yearly rice production from the present seven to eight million tonnes to a new level and that the 60,000 metric tonnes of rice produced by millers would be taken over by the government.
In addition, Kyari disclosed that fifteen state governors have indicated a desire to fully engage in this year’s dry season farming, stating that this would help alleviate Nigeria’s current food problem.
At a ministerial press briefing in Abuja, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari further announced that the government would be helping 500,000 farmers cultivate and produce one million metric tonnes of rice.
He said that this would raise Nigeria’s yearly rice production from the present seven to eight million tonnes to a new level and that the 60,000 metric tonnes of rice produced by millers would be taken over by the government.
In addition, Kyari disclosed that fifteen state governors have indicated a desire to fully engage in this year’s dry season farming, stating that this would help alleviate Nigeria’s current food problem.
“This 42,000MT is going to the needy free of charge,” Kyari declared. It will be given for free, straight to the poor.
When asked how the government planned to determine who was in need, Kyari said, “We met with NEMA and DSS to get the index.” Here is where to obtain intelligence reports regarding its location and we are going to look at those indices.”
The agriculture minister emphasised that state governors had been informed of this development and that the government will make sure that only those who require the grains benefit from the exercise.
While Kyari acknowledged that 53,000 MT of grains were held in various reserves around the nation, he also announced that 42,000 MT would be released by the government and the remaining 11,000 MT would be set aside for emergencies.
He asked Nigerians to be patient with the government, explaining that the 42,000MT of grains would be spread throughout all states and filling roughly 1,200 trucks.
“We will ensure that grains reach the people who truly need them. The government is working hard to address the challenges in the agricultural sector,” the minister said.
Regarding the N5 billion intervention package for Ogun State, Abiodun stated, “These initiatives have received praise from the IMF and World Bank as well. The key component of the “Renewed Hope” Agenda’s ongoing success is its sincerity of intent.”
“The Federal Government is working hard to foster a society where prosperity and the well-being of all citizens prevail, in addition to its unwavering commitment to building a brighter future for all citizens.”
Abiodun said explicitly that “under these intervention plans, at least 100,000 impoverished students in primary and secondary schools would receive N10,000 educational grants, 27,600 students in tertiary institutions would receive N50,000 grants, and more than 850,000 students in the State’s primary and secondary schools would receive five note books each.”
He went on to say that more than 70,000 people—women, kids, and the elderly—will receive the N18,000 health insurance per person. As part of the intervention plans, the state is also targeting 300,000 households for the free distribution of food items like rice and garri.
Abiodun also intends to pay N500 million every month to clear the backlog of deductions that the state’s employees are due.
In order to ensure the welfare, well-being, and wellness of our citizens in this trying time, he clarified, “As our administration acknowledges the concerns raised by many of our citizens regarding the rising food prices and shortages, coupled with the depreciation of the Naira, we identify with you and are taking proactive measures to alleviate the impact of these challenges.”
“We aim to address these challenges by implementing a series of phased initiatives aimed at alleviating these burdens on all of our citizens in this direction and through targeted interventions.”
The following actions have been taken by the state: Education sector: ensuring that every one of our 850,000 public primary and secondary school students has a minimum of five exercise books. giving at least 100,000 students in the state’s public primary and secondary schools a one-time N10,000 education support award.
“Offering an education grant of N50,000 to each of the 27,600 impoverished students enrolled in postsecondary institutions across the country.
Health Sector: More than 70,000 individuals, including expectant mothers, kids, the elderly, market women, and other people working in the un organised sector, will receive insurance health coverage.”
More precisely, in our State Hospitals and Primary Health Care Centres throughout the State, we would be offering free pre-natal care, an extra N5,000 for each birth, and free post-natal care to expectant mothers as part of our Ibidero Scheme.
“Food palliatives: Approximately 300,000 households throughout the State get food palliatives, such as rice and other food products. Employees in the Civil Service: The State Government will start to make up for the arrears of inherited deductions.
“We are immediately allocating N500M each month towards outstanding deductions in order to achieve this. It is significant that for the past eight months, we have been paying all civil servants a transport allowance of N10,000.
“Testing our will is something that everybody does at their own risk. Even though the road ahead may be difficult, your cooperation, tolerance, and understanding will be essential as we work through these trying times together.”
