Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has said that the state government is ready to meet all requirements for the establishment of a Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in the state.
Governor Ododo, who hosted a delegation from the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security that were in the state on an assessment tour of the proposed project sites, said that the state government has already allocated 254 hectares of land in Ukpake, AjaoKuta local government area for the purpose of the special agro-industrial processing zone.
He said that the decision to establish the agro-industrial processing zone in the area is due to its strategic location and its proximity to essential resources such as water, electricity, gas, railway line linking Kogi and a number of states and the proposed international cargo airport in Adogo which is a few kilometers from the proposed site of the agro-industrial facility.
Governor Ododo assured the delegation that the State government will do everything possible to provide the enabling environment for the project.
The governor stressed that the project is in line with his administration’s policy on industrialization aimed at guaranteeing food security through investment in agriculture.
He said that such investment in the agricultural value chain will increase productivity, provide access to market for farmers and provide job opportunities for the teeming population of the state.
The Governor commended the African Development Bank for the initiative which he said would enhance job creation and guarantee food security in Kogi state and Nigeria at large.
In his remarks, Dr. Bashir Ibrahim Gaya who led the AfDB delegation said that the assessment tour is intended to verify the readiness of states to be selected in the second phase for establishment of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) in Nigeria.
He said that project is being implemented in 18 countries accross Africa.
He said that the first phase in Nigeria, covering seven states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, has commenced.
He said that the team was in Kogi to assess the State’s readiness as a possible beneficiary in the second phase of the project.
In their separate remarks, the state commissioner for finance, budget and economic planning, Asiwaju Ashiru Idris gave assurance of the political will of the state government to see to the realisation of the project, even as his counterpart in the ministry of agriculture and food security, Timothy Ojomah said that the proposed agro-industrial processing facility will be supported by adequate and reliable supply of raw materials and semi-processed agricultural produce from the state Agricultural Transformation Centres in Alape, Anyigba and Osara.
The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone is expected to process maize, cassava, rice, palm oil, cashew, sugarcane and fish, in line with the commitment of Governor Ododo to transforming Kogi State into an agro-industrial hub.
Special adviser to the governor on media and publicity, Ismaila Isah, in a statement today, June 28, said that the project is an initiative of the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Kogi State Government.
The project is expected to attract significant foreign and domestic private sector investment to the State.

Governor Ademola Adeleke has assured Muslim Community in the State that there is no plan to demolish Mosque in the ongoing Ilesa road dualization.
The Governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, quoted the Governor as saying that his earlier assurance to the effect that the Central Mosque would not be affected by the road dualization, during the ‘Ipade Imole’ remains unchanged.
“Governor Adeleke has received the plea of the Ijesa Muslim leaders and has directed that fresh assurance be given that the mosque is not billed for demolition in the ongoing road dualisation.
“The muslim ummah should not entertain any fear as the mosque remains intact. Only the extended canopies will be affected, not the main building as earlier indicated.
“The Governor has also directed officials of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to interface with the Muslim leaders on the subject matter.”
While commending stakeholders for actively supporting the ongoing dualisation at Ilesa, the governor said that he is committed to the implementation of the multi-billion naira Infrastructure upgrade with an eye on deep local content and active community engagement and collaboration.

A Kogi State High Court has established a case of human rights violation on the banishment of dethroned traditional ruler from his kingdom.
The court, today, June 27, in a ruling on the dethronement and banishment of Obobanyi of Ihima, Dr. Samuel Adai Onimisi said that banishing him from his kingdom after being dethroned violated his constitutional rights to stay anywhere he wants to.
Dr. Samuel Adai Onimisi, the Obobanyi of Emani, was one of the three Kogi traditional rulers removed in January this year by the then Governor Yahaya Bello and banished to Doko town in Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State.
The Governor said that the title of Obobanyi of Ihima which reads on the promotion letter, upgrading the stool to first-class status, “was done without cognisance to the fact that the title; Obobanyi of Ihima is a subject of litigation and the court of law is yet to arrive at the possible final decision, as such, the Government has however received several petitions, calling attention to the need to revert and maintain status quo, until the court of law decides.
“To this end, the stool is hereby reverted to “Obobanyi of Emani” as the present occupant remains deposed.”
The High Court, today, upheld the dethronement of Dr. Samuel Adai Onimisi, saying that the State government followed due process, having issued query to him, constituted panel of enquiry which indicted him.
The Court held that the joinder of the five clans rejected cannot impact either positively or negatively on the case.
The Court however rejected the banishment, saying that it conflicts with freedom of movement residency granted by the constitution.
“He can stay anywhere, but as a private individual like you not as King.”

Immediate past Governor of Kogi State was absent today, June 27, at the Federal High Court in Abuja where he was billed to enter his plea to the charge on a case of alleged corruption when he was in office, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Instead, the former Governor wrote a letter to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, pleading to be allowed to face his trial in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital.
Yahaya Bello, in the letter by his team of lawyers, led by Abdulwahab Mohammed (SAN), said that only the Lokoja Division of the high court has the territorial jurisdiction to handle the allegations that were raised against him by the EFCC.
At the resumed proceeding in the matter today, June 27, one of the lawyers who announced appearance for him, Adeola Adedipe, (SAN), brought the attention of trial Justice Emeka Nwite to the letter his client wrote to the CJ.
Addressing the court after the matter was called, Adedipe said: “My lord, after the proceedings of the last adjourned date, I went back and gave a report of what happened in court to our team.
“However, I was made to understand that a letter had been written on behalf of the defendant to the honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court requesting in substance, that this matter be administratively transferred to the Federal High Court, Lokoja Judicial Division, which we believe have territorial jurisdiction to handle this matter.
“That letter was received at the Chief Judge’s Chambers and the office of the honourable CJ wrote the prosecution team through Mr.’s Iseoluwa Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on June 13, notifying him that administrative steps has been activated, whereof he was directed to provide a response to the request for transfer of the matter.
“My lord, as of this morning, I am not aware whether there has been a response by the prosecution team in compliance to the directive of the CJ.
“We are also not in receipt of any decision that has been made on this request by the CJ.
“I am also aware that this administrative directive of the CJ has been formally communicated to this court.
“We have filed an affidavit wherein we attached two documents referencing the details that I have just highlighted.
“My duty is first to the court. As of the moment, I am not urging anything from the court, but just to present the facts as they were.”
On his part, the EFCC, through its counsel, Kemi Pinhero (SAN), urged the court to compel the defence lawyer to explain why the defendant was not in court, despite an undertaking he made on June 13 to ensure his presence in court for arraignment.
Pinhero,) prayed the court to dismiss “the story of the defence lawyer as dilatory and a further attempt to treat this court with scorn.”
He said that the letter to the CJ did not discharge the undertaking that was made by the senior lawyers representing the defendant.
The EFCC counsel argued that even where a petition is forwarded against a judge to the National Judicial Council, (NJC), it does not stop proceedings on cases pending before the judge.
Pinhero therefore applied for the court to invite the two senior lawyers representing the former governor to show cause why they should not be dealt with for contemptuous conduct.
Source: The Eagle Online