Group vows to partner Gov. Ododo to avert incessant flooding in Kogi

By Odimayo Olatunde Fredrick, Kogi

A Non-Governmental Organization on the platform of Epic Charity foundation’has vowed to partner the Kogi State government led by governor Usman Ododo to avert the effects of flooding, especially as raining season approaches.

The founder, CEO Epic Charity foundation, Mathew Wenke Jr disclosed this when he met with the Commissioner, Ministry of Humanitarian and Poverty alleviation Hajia Rabietu Okute in her office in Lokoja.

Wenke recalled that numbers of people have lost their lives and others displaced over flooding in 2012 and 2022 respectively.

He averred that, the organization is already making plans to construct 5000 boreholes across the country for communities to have access to water in which Kogi State is one of the beneficiaries.

His words “We are in Kogi State because we are about embarking on humanitarian projects and Kogi is also one of our pilot State. This are humanitarian projects that has to do with humanitarian services because God has place it in our heart to embark on humanitarian services to help the needy and less privilege.

” One of the major project we are thinking about is the Lagdo Dam which will stop the over flooding in Kogi State. I wept severally when I saw the disaster of flood in Kogi State. Flood has been destroying property in every flood season. We are partnering with government to drill 5000 boreholes which Kogi will greatly benefits from it too.

“We are also going to be embarking on health care programs, renovation and building of hospitals, establishment of Internally Displaced Person’s (IDP) camp, building of Schools, rural electrification and many more.

“We want to migrate people from the urban to rural areas, not rural areas migrating to Urban areas. Our majority project is community based development. As an international NGO, that is what we stand for. All this project are going to benefit Kogi People because this projects will be kept in the community and they are the one to benefit from it”.

He advised the people of Kogi State to embrace maintenance culture when the project is constructed.

Continuing, he said “We believed that, with this, Kogi will maintain it, and keep it running for the benefits of their Citizens. We are also going to advice the Kogi State Government to support in maintaining this projects when the project is on going. They should put their eyes down and stop vandalization of this project. The People should not allow anybody or criminals that will steal any part or projects out of Kogi State, because it is for their own benefits”.

In her remarks, The Kogi State Commissioner, Ministry of Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Hajia Rabietu Okute said the current administration under the leadership of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo remains committed in ameliorating the suffering of the people.

According to Hajia Okute “Kogi State is a Civil servant State. Some of them that are wealthy don’t spend it on the less privilege. They usually spend it during election. They know they cant win election, but they will be coming home every four years to spend their money which is not supposed to be so. If you train a Woman, you have trained a society.

“Unfortunately, some of our girls are not willing to go to school they prefer dropping out. There is projection that, in the next ten years the poverty level will increase. It is a collective responsibility to educate our young boys and girls on the need to go to school to sustain their future. We have so much to do to correct the wrongs in our society”.

She reassured the organization of the State Government support in reducing poverty, hunger and unemployment in Kogi State.

Earlier, The Kogi State Coordinator
Epic Charity foundation Emmanuel Monday Olorunmola asserted that, the organization is partnering with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian resources to provide social amenities in both the rural and urban centers.

“Epic Charity foundation since 2016 has been embarking on humanitarian services across the Country. Now, we are coming to Kogi State for humanitarian developmental services such as primary health care, roads, drainages, drilling of borehole, street light and even Women empowerment program is inclusive and the charity home which is widows and the orphanage. We are committed to bring back out of school Children back to School” he added.