Kogi Farmers Hail Ododo’s Agricultural Policies, Unveil New AFAN Leadership
By Yahaya Idris, Lokoja
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has been commended for his commitment and passion toward improving the agricultural sector in Kogi State.
The immediate past Chairman of the Kogi State chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Alhaji Salihu Adobayin, gave the commendation during the formal handover of the association’s affairs to the newly elected executive members. The event was held at the office of the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Timothy Ojoma.
Adobayin noted that AFAN had enjoyed a robust working relationship with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, a partnership he said had positively impacted the agricultural value chain in the state.
He explained that the association recently conducted a peaceful and hitch-free election, which produced a candidate from Kogi West as the new chairman. According to him, the rotational arrangement for the chairmanship position has come to stay, ensuring fairness and inclusiveness among members.
The outgoing chairman appealed to the state government to provide a befitting office accommodation for the association and urged the new executive members to align their activities with the government’s agricultural policies and programmes.
He further stated that under his leadership, the association was able to stabilize its operations and maintain proper documentation of its activities.
In his acceptance remarks, the newly elected AFAN Chairman, Alhaji Raji Musa, pledged to work in line with the policies and programmes of the state government.
Musa said the association would intensify efforts to build stronger collaboration with financial institutions, expand market opportunities for farm produce, and promote training and retraining of members. He also emphasized the association’s commitment to embracing smart agricultural systems to boost productivity.
Responding, the Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Timothy Ojoma, observed a minute of silence in honour of the late Secretary of the association.
Ojoma assured the association that its request for a befitting office would be considered, while also reaffirming the government’s support for AFAN’s activities.
He commended the outgoing chairman for maintaining a cordial relationship with the ministry and praised Kogi Women in Agriculture for projecting the state positively at various agricultural exhibitions.
The commissioner reiterated the state government’s continued patronage and support for initiatives aimed at advancing agriculture and food security in Kogi State.
