Niger Delta
Body Supports C’River Communities On Farming
The Global Environment
Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP) has supported eight communities in the Obanliku local government area (LGA) of Cross River on improved methods of planting and preserving vegetables.
The programme also gave support to two women associations.
The eight communities are Ablesang, Utuhu, Busi, Bebi, Shikpeche, Buya, Amanga and Bishiri, while the women associations are Work with Faith Club and Women of Hope Association.
The beneficiaries were trained on Sustainable Land Management (SLM), including drip irrigation.
They were also trained in the use of solar dryers to dry vegetables and package them for local and international markets, among others.
Our correspondents reports that over 50 farmers benefited directly from the project tagged, “Sustainable Resources Use through Improved Vegetable Technologies’’.
The project’s indirect beneficiaries are estimated to be over 540,000 people.
The indirect beneficiaries include transporters, middlemen, local tax collectors, and the communities which can buy vegetables throughout the year and at affordable prices.
The Vice-President of Rural Infrastructure Services for Under-Served Population (RISE-UP), Mr Niyi Adegun, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), said the project has alleviated the suffering of the beneficiaries.
Adegun told the GEF-SGP team on a Monitoring and Evaluation exercise to Obudu that the project has helped to build the capability of the small scale farmers in those communities.
He said the project was an upgrade from the earlier one supported by GEF-SGP, where community dwellers were trained on the propagation of the vegetable popularly known as “Afang’’.
“The vegetable is fast disappearing because of unsustainable exploitation,’’ the NGO official said.
In his remarks, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Desk Officer at the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr Eguaoje Festus urged the beneficiaries to improve on their productivity.
“If you do more, you will get more assistance and even if the assistance is not coming forth again, you will be able to sustain what you have done.
“If you can produce enough to feed yourselves, then you have alleviated the greatest element of poverty, which is the shortage of food,’’ he said.
Earlier, GEF-SGP’s National Co-ordinator, Mrs Ibironke Olubamise, said the programme currently supports some NGOs to implement environmental initiatives in 22 states across the country.
“GEF-SGP is implementing over 113 projects in those 22 states,’’ she said.
Niger Delta
Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday
The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.
Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.
Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.
According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.
The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.
“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.
He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.
On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.
“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.
