The Special Adviser on Media to Kogi State Governor, Ismaila Isah, has assured residents of the state that local communities will soon experience significant economic transformation as mining operations and infrastructure projects commence.
Speaking during an interview in Abuja on Thursday, Isah revealed that the recent acquisition of 15 mining licenses by the state government signals a bold move to rejuvenate local economies, especially in rural communities.
He disclosed that Kogi State is blessed with over 32 commercially viable mineral deposits and has floated a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under the Solid Minerals Development Company to attract both local and foreign investors.
“Our approach is to make these mining activities community-owned. We’re encouraging cooperatives so communities can become stakeholders in the mining sector. Beyond CSR, communities will now have a say in how mining activities are run on their lands,” Isah said.
He added that youths would play leading roles in this emerging solid minerals economy, noting that 25,000 young people are to be trained in preparation for the sector’s expansion.
Isah also confirmed that Governor Usman Ododo is currently in China engaging international partners on investment opportunities in mining, agriculture, healthcare, education, power, and transportation.
He noted that discussions are ongoing not just on direct investment, but also on technology transfer and manpower development to empower the state’s industries.
On agriculture, the Governor’s spokesperson stated that the administration has adopted a bottom-up strategy aimed at boosting food production and transforming farming communities.
“Last year, under our ‘one farmer, one hectare’ policy, we cultivated almost 10,000 hectares. This year, we’re expanding our agriculture transformation agenda to 50,000 hectares, with plans to acquire more tractors and modern equipment to replace outdated tools and improve productivity,” he said.
He highlighted other government initiatives, including expanding the state health insurance scheme to cover the elderly, pregnant women, infants, and widows of ex-servicemen, as well as developing a comprehensive social register to support MSMEs, people with disabilities, and vulnerable groups.
Isah affirmed that the Ododo administration is committed to inclusive governance, assuring that all stakeholders, irrespective of political affiliations, would be carried along in the state’s development drive.
“Governor Ododo is a grassroots leader, a man who grew up in the village, on the farm. He understands the challenges, and he is in a hurry to deliver real results,” he said.
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