Olu Samuel, Lokoja

Kogi State Government has distributed Information and Communication Technology Tools worth millions of naira to owners of micro businesses across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.

Governor Yahaya Bello while distributing the items to the beneficiaries at the Lugard House, Lokoja, said that the gesture will go a long way in restoring active business participation in the state after the setback caused by COVID-19.

The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to Kogi State Government, Dr. Mrs Folashade Ayoade, affirmed that the enhancement scheme will also give empowerment to the beneficiariies for their livelihood support and a booster in revamping the nation’s dwindling economy.

He charged beneficiariies to strictly use the tools for their job business stressing that the tools are not to be sold or giving out.

Governor Yahaya Bello congratulated the beneficiariies for the previlege as few out of the fifty thousand business owners who applied for the ICT tools were considered.

Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Kogi Enterprising and Development Agency, Hajiya Onaive Sani in her welcome address, disclosed that the enhancement scheme is in collaboration with the World Bank in support of all the small and medium scale businesses in the state.

She gave an assurance that her Agency will not relent in the implementation of government policies geared towards boosting micro businesses and empowerment of citizens across the three senatorial districts of Kogi state.

Kogi Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Gabriel Olofu, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Salifu Ameh regretted the havoc done to business activities during the last COVID-19 incident.

The commissioner expressed delight that the ICT tools will no doubt assist business owners in regaining losses made during the COVID-19 episode and urged beneficiariies to available themselves of the opportunity by ensuring judicious use for the purpose intended.