Mrs. Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement in the North-Central zone, donated 80 bags of rice to victims of attacks in Omala Local Government Area, Kogi, following assaults by suspected herdsmen on April 4, which resulted in 25 deaths and numerous injuries.
The visit to Omala by Essiet and a delegation from the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme aimed to offer condolences to the affected communities and highlight the importance of peaceful coexistence as vital for development.
Represented by Lateefa Isah, Essiet conveyed President Tinubu’s sympathies to the people of Omala and donated 80 bags of rice to assist the victims, reaffirming the President’s commitment to supporting all Nigerian citizens.
“These bags of rice are part of the palliatives from Mr President. They were delivered by my office to assist victims of conflict in the Omala Local Government Area.
“President Tinubu is committed to protecting lives and property of all Nigerians. He has also resolved to engage Nigerian citizens at the grassroots for all-inclusive governance,” she said.
Sani Haruna, Head of the Kogi State CARES Coordination Unit, also said that the Omala community benefitted from NG-CARES involvement via the Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA).
He characterized NG-CARES as a development initiative that aims to increase access to livelihood assistance and food security services, as well as grants for poor and vulnerable families and businesses.
Haruna advised the community to take advantage of the government’s participation via the NG-CARES initiative to bring greater development to the region.
According to him, the Omale community might benefit from NG-CARES interventions such as CSDA and Fadama.
Chief Suleiman Abimaje, the District Head of Abejukolo, addressed on behalf of the community and thanked the Federal and State Governments for their help.
Abimaje called for the establishment of a military post in the region to combat the herdsmen’s frequent assaults.