RismadarVoice Reporters
January 14, 2026
Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency, CSDA, says it is set to surpass the achievements recorded under the NG-CARES 1.0 programme following the approval of additional financing for NG-CARES 2.0.
The General Manager of the agency, Chief Momoh Dauda, disclosed this at a two-day capacity-building training for Local Government Review Committees and Desk Officers held in Okene on Wednesday.
Chief Dauda explained that the NG-CARES 2.0 programme, funded by the World Bank, is designed to expand access to livelihood support, food security services and grants for poor and vulnerable households and communities across the state.
He revealed that under the NG-CARES 1.0 initiative, the agency implemented 74 Community Development Plans and 187 micro-projects across several local government areas, benefiting about 2.5 million people in Kogi State.
The General Manager commended Governor Usman Ododo for approving, releasing funds for the programme even before its official take-off date in December, describing the gesture as a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to social development.
According to him, NG-CARES 2.0 comes with an additional financing of 500 million dollars, positioning the agency to record even greater impact in the new phase.
Chief Dauda said the capacity-building training was organized to strengthen the technical, institutional and operational capacities of participants to ensure effective implementation, review and oversight of Community Development Plans and Group Development Plans.
Local government officials from Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi, Okene, Ogori Magongo, Kabba Bunu, Ijumu, Mopa Amuro, Yagba East and Yagba West participated in the training.
He added that the programme builds on the successes of NG-CARES 1.0, which delivered community-driven interventions that improved livelihoods, access to basic services and social protection for rural and vulnerable communities.
Participants were trained on NG-CARES objectives, implementation frameworks, environmental, social safeguards, gender inclusion and the integration of vulnerable groups.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Local Government for Yagba East, Mr. Aina Ekundayo, described the training as an eye-opener, noting that the knowledge gained would significantly enhance effective implementation of the NG-CARES 2.0 programme at the local government level.
The NG-CARES 2.0 programme aligns with Kogi State’s development priorities and is expected to deliver transparent, inclusive and results-oriented interventions across the state.
