By Josephine Abah
The Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Timothy Ojomah, has been honoured with a Peace Award by the Movement for Peaceful and Equitable Governance in Nigeria.
MOPEGON said the award was in recognition of his contributions to agriculture, food security and sustainable livelihoods in the state.
The award was presented on Tuesday as part of activities to mark the 2026 United Nations International Day of Peace themed, “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
Presenting the award, MOPEGON Director-General, Bello Omeiza, said the honour was in line with the organisation’s commitment to good governance and peace promotion.
Omeiza said public officials must use their offices to promote peace, security and development, noting that agriculture and food production are critical to achieving the goal.
He said the 2026 theme was apt because peace requires deliberate action at national, sub-national and community levels.
He described Ojomah as a distinguished son of Kogi whose public service had spanned community, local government and state levels.
In its citation, MOPEGON described the commissioner as a dedicated public servant, grassroots mobiliser and key contributor to the state’s agricultural transformation.
It also cited his role in an Inter-Ministerial Workshop on Alternative and Sustainable Livelihoods involving the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
According to the group, the initiative sought to redirect vulnerable persons from illicit crop cultivation and drug-related activities to legitimate farming.
“Food security is peace security,” the organisation stated.
Accepting the award, Ojomah thanked MOPEGON and dedicated it to the people of Kogi, farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
He said the honour was a reminder of the responsibility attached to public office.
According to him, agriculture remains central to community wellbeing as it provides food, livelihoods and economic empowerment.
Ojomah lauded Governor Ahmed Ododo for prioritising food security, job creation and sustainable agriculture.
He said the administration had supported farmers with improved seedlings, fertilisers and other inputs, and promoted mechanisation through deployment of tractors and other equipment.
He added that the state had partnered with programmes such as IFAD, ACReSAL and L-PRES to strengthen value chains and enhance rural livelihoods.
The commissioner said the government had also sustained youth empowerment through training in modern practices such as hydroponics, aeroponics and other agribusiness ventures.
He cited the 2026 wet-season intervention under which fertilisers, herbicides and farm equipment were distributed to boost productivity and farmers’ incomes.
According to him, the administration’s agricultural agenda goes beyond food production to encompass employment, rural development and private sector investment.
He stressed the need for collaboration among government, farmers, communities and development partners to strengthen food security and peace.
Ojomah reaffirmed his commitment to initiatives that promote sustainable agriculture and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
He also called for collective action, noting that government alone cannot achieve sustainable agricultural development.
In a related development, the state recently inaugurated a Technical Working Group on agroecology to promote climate-resilient agriculture.
The commissioner described agroecology as an approach that combines traditional knowledge with modern science to build resilient food systems.
The ceremony ended with the presentation of the Peace Award and a certificate to the commissioner.
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