NG CARES Initiative, Kogi State Government Targets 200,000 Citizens for Economic Empowerment

Barr. Moses Okezie-Okafor, the Director-General, Research and Development, Kogi State has welcomed the launch of the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NGCARES) in Kogi State on Tuesday, 13th August, 2024. Speaking to our correspondent, he noted that ‘NGCARES is a flagship programme aimed at ameliorating economic disinclusion on a broader scale, promoting sustainable self-reliance among beneficiaries and tackling multidimensional poverty organically from the grassroots.’

The initiative, a partnership with the World Bank, was launched at Okene in the Central Senatorial Zone of the State by the Governor, His Excellency, Ahmed Usman Ododo who was represented by Mallam Dauda Momoh the General Manager the Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency (KCSDA). It was disclosed during the event that the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo, has released over N1.6billion for execution of projects under NG CARES in fulfillment of the state’s counterpart funding obligations.

Mallam Momoh who kicked off the training of Community and Group Project Management Committees of some of the project units to signal its take-off across the state said the entire value chain of the initiative impacts directly and positively on the lives of the people.

Barr. Okezie-Okafor therefore commended the KCSDA, the arrowhead of the initiative which covers 170 micro-projects that are strategically designed to empower 200,000 beneficiaries across the state within a relatively short period of time on its innovative design and robust implementation parameters.

He emphasized that the project lines up perfectly with the manifesto of His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State who undertook to ensure accelerated focus on community development, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment to address poverty and inequality.

According to sources from the KCSDA during the launch, the programme which is set for full implementation in September 2024, aligns with the National Industrialization Strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By targeting key areas relating to socio-economic NGCARES is expected to drive meaningful change and yield benefits for both the State and the Nation.

The DG further observed that Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo’s ready provision of funding for this initiative demonstrates his administration’s fidelity to his electoral promises and strategic policy thrusts which has the improvement of the lives of his citizens at its core.

Okezie-Okafor also commended the Kogi State helmsman’s enthusiasm in complementing the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR on all programmes geared towards inclusive growth and poverty reduction and how his own administration has created an enabling environment for State-level initiatives like NGCARES to thrive.

While applauding this spirit of collaboration by both governments he reiterated the commitment of his Office, in particular the Special Actionable Research Team A (SPARTA), previously known as the New Direction Blueprint Team, to contributing research support and expertise to enhance the impact of this and other initiatives.