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ECOWAS Releases $1.8bn For Agric Programme
The ECOWAS Commission, has so far mobilised 1.8 billion dollars from multilateral sources and bilateral donors for the implementation of the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), an official has said.
The Principal Programme Officer (Agriculture) at the Commission, Dr. Ernest Aubee, told newsmen in Abuja that the regional organisation had created a 150-million-dollar agricultural fund and was also in the process of setting up an agricultural agency.
These processes, Aubee said, were preparatory to the implementation of the regional and national agricultural investment programmes as stipulated in the CAADP framework and policy.
He said that the 15 member states of ECOWAS had also developed and started implementing their individual national agricultural investment plans in line with the ECOWAS Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP), fashioned after the CAADP.
The focus of the investment plans, he explained, was addressing the challenges of food insecurity and issues of poverty and livelihoods.
To achieve the set goals, he said that priority crops had been identified including rice, maize and cassava as well as livestock.
In addition to crops, he said that the organisation was also re-jigging policies on market access, free movement from one country to another, transportation and road network, among others.
Aubee expressed the hope that the food security situation in the region would improve if the programmes were well implemented.
“We are implementing a multi-pronged approach to address the food insecurity situation in the country.
“For example, we have identified priority crops like rice, maize, cassava. We have also identified livestock. In addition also to these priority crops that we have identified, we are also looking at policies.
“Policies dealing with market access. Are farmers able to produce and sell? What are some of the bottlenecks in terms of marketing within our respective countries and also within the region?
“We have issues of transportation and road network; we also have issues dealing with movement from one country to the other; so the ECOWAS Agric Policy is trying to address all these issues in a very holistic manner.”
On funding of the investment plans, the programme officer said that some member states had already accessed funding from the Global Food Security Programme Fund (GFSPF) being administered by the World Bank and some bilateral donors such as Spain and USAID.
According to him, part of the funding provided for the Food Facility Programme being funded by the EU would go to ECOWAS Commission while part of the money would be channelled directly to the individual member states.
“The total envelope for implementing regional programmes and national programmes is 900 million dollars and we are getting funding from a variety of sources. We’ve got over one-billion-dollar commitments coming from different institutions around the world,” he said.
Aubee said that the ECOWAS Commission had been very active in coordinating the implementation of CAADP in West Africa as mandated by the AU Commission and the NEPAD agency.
“CAADP is a continental agricultural programme and that programme we have domesticated in the form of ECOWAP, which is ECOWAS Agricultural Policy to make sure that what has been agreed by our leaders at the AU level is now domesticated at the regional level; at the ECOWAS level, so we are working very hard toward implementing the various declarations.’’
Aubee noted that African leaders were progressively striving to fulfill their commitment of allocating 10 per cent of their national budgets to agriculture as contained in the 2003 Maputo Declaration.
He commended the efforts of the African leaders and urged them to do more, noting that agriculture was linked to rural livelihoods, which if improved, would lift majority of the African population out of poverty.
“Agriculture is such a very vital sector. It is also linked to rural livelihoods; so if we improve agriculture, we are going to improve the livelihoods of a large number of people in the rural areas who form a very substantial part of our populations and who are the producers of the wealth that we all enjoy.”
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.
By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi
Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.
By: Jessica Sambol