RSG’s Songhai Farms, Vehicle For Poverty Eradication – Director

The founder/international director of Songhai Farms, Rev. Father Godfrey Nzamujo has described the Rivers State Government owned Songhai farms in Bonu, Tai Local Government Area, Rivers State as a practical step taken by the present administration to address the problems of food security, poverty and unemployment of the teaming population of youths in the state.

Rev. Nzamujo stated this is an exclusive interview with The Tide immediately after signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Community Based Natural Resources Management Progeamme  (CBNRMP) and Songhai farms at Bonu in Rivers State on Wednesday.

He explained that Songhai farm anywhere it exist is a practical testimony  of shifting emphasis from exploration and production of natural oil to agricultural development through the use of modern technologies and techniques by a Nigerian son to secure food for the people and eliminate poverty.

“What we are doing in Songhai farms in Rivers State is to change the mind-sets of the youths from violence to productive ventures   through food  production, processing and servicing” he stated.

According  to him, if the Songhai farms in Rivers State would be replicated in the states of the federation, it would reduced poverty, hunger and unemployment now threatening the country.

Describing the farm as a green rural city, for food production, processing and servicing, he noted that it would soon become a centre of excellence that would attract people from all walks of life.

“Many people will be coming from all the places, sleep, enjoy and keep their money here”, Rev Nzamujo assured.

While acknowledging that the 300 hectares of farm land would be expanded in the near future, the founder of Songhai International urged the youths of the state to ultilise  the advantages offered by the farm to develop themselves as agricultural experts.

It will be recalled that the Rivers State Government under the leadership of Hon. Chibuike Amaechi established Songhai farms in  Bonu, Tai Local  Government Area, Rivers State as a replica of Songhai farm in Benin Republic in order to tackle the problem of food security and provide job for the youths of the state .

In addition, the state government sent about 150 youths of the state to Songhai farm in Benin Republic to be trained while 50 of the youths that concluded  their training are presently working on the farm.

Isaac Nwankwo