Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has officially launched the implementation of the Special National Economic Livelihood Emergency Intervention (SNELEI) program, a Federal Government initiative aimed at assisting Nigerian farmers who were affected by the 2022 flood disaster across all states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Addressing the gathering at the MKO Abiola Trade Fair in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the Governor emphasized that the intervention program is specifically designed to stimulate grassroots-level economic activities by providing support to carefully selected beneficiaries.
In an epoch event where the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFR, CON, is ably represented by Mr. Olatokunbo Joseph Talabi, the Secretary to the State Government, it was highlighted that the initiative aims to not only assist the beneficiaries in starting their businesses but also contribute to overall economic growth.
Governor Abiodun encouraged the beneficiaries to make effective and judicious use of the provided items, assuring them that distribution would be carried out among those who had been previously verified and enumerated.
Expressing gratitude to the Federal Government for the assistance, the Governor further pledged to collaborate closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to ensure a seamless and efficient distribution of items to the intended beneficiaries.
In his remarks, the Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Ahmed, represented by the agency’s Head of Communication, Mr. Emmanuel Ogba, noted that the Federal Government’s intervention program was intended to aid the 2022 flood victims and vulnerable individuals in Ogun State, enabling them to quickly return to normalcy.
Ahmed further stated that the items distributed included agricultural products, crop seedlings, livelihood equipment (such as sewing and grinding machines), non-food items (such as cooking pots, mosquito nets, and mattresses), and agricultural inputs (such as maize, pesticides, growth enhancers, knapsack sprayers, and water pumps).
Among the dignitaries in attendance were S A to the Governor on Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon. Adewale Aka, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Lateef Benson, and other distinguished guests.
Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Mr. Raphael Oyedele and Mrs. Kafayat Mustapha expressed their appreciation to the Federal Government, conveyed through Governor Abiodun, for the intervention program. They pledged to make proper use of the benefited items to improve their livelihoods.