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Rivers Cassava Initiative Targets 20,000 Jobs
About 20,000 people will earn employment from the Rivers State Cassava Initiative now ongoing at Afam, Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.
Already, about 35,000 farmers have been registered out of which 21,000 are cassava farmers, according to the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), the manager of the scheme.
Going by the current level of work in the site, the scheme is expected to be unveiled this year, as the plant increased cassava yield for local farmers from 10 to 20 tons per hectre.
The 30,000 ton cassava processing factory is a major private sector-led intervention, involving the RSSDA, the Dutch Agricultural Development and Trading Centre (IFDE), Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Stanbic IBTC Bank.
The initiative, which was unveiled last year, supports a development programme at the village level to help subsistence farmers make the transition to commercial farming in cassava cultivation.
About N3million is expected to be expanded daily in buying cassava roots from farmers when finally the plant comes onstream by first quarter of this year.
From indications, the plant is to produce high quality cassava flour and provide raw materials for brewing, flour and confectionary companies.
A statement from RSSDA revealed that already, 600 farmers have been trained on improved cassava cultivation techniques, while about four integrated soil fertility management demonstration and multiplication farms have been targeted to emerge from the scheme.
The agency has equally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with farmers organized in clusters who will participate in the support scheme.
Consequently, the RSSDA has surveyed a total land area of 4,000 hectares in different local government areas of the state, which will serve as cassava pilot farms and as centres for support for local farmers.
This development has propelled Stanbic/IBTC Bank to source fund to support opportunities for smallholder farmers by providing them loan up to 40 per cent for total investment in the scheme.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
