The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it is committed to advancing projects and programmes that enhance food security and sustainable growth in the region.
Chief Monday Igbuya, the Delta State representative on the NDDC Board, made this pledge in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, yesterday by the NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama.
Igbuya spoke at the inauguration of a training and empowerment programme for women and youths in livestock and agro processing in Amukpe, Sapele area of Delta.
He stated that the NDDC was prioritising livestock training in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“NDDC is focussed on implementing programmes to ensure food security and agricultural growth in multi sectors, aiming to improve living standards.
“It is our belief that for socio-economic development to take place, there is need to develop manpower in the agricultural sector,” he said.
Igbuya expressed confidence that training farmers would enhance livestock production, create jobs, and alleviate poverty in the Niger Delta.
Mrs Winifred Madume, NDDC Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, said that training farmers and entrepreneurs was essential for improving productivity and market access.
“The commission has been promoting research and development through various institutions and providing farming techniques to beneficiaries,” she said.
The Project Consultant, Dr Simon Akhaine, said that 200 women and youths had registered for the livestock and agro-business skill acquisition programme.
According to him, the programme aims to equip them with the essential knowledge and skills for self-sufficiency in livestock farming, thereby boosting regional food security.

President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this year.
In his stead, Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the annual summit.
Tinubu “wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding,” a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, revealed yesterday.
The statement is titled ‘Vice President Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation to the 79th United Nations General Assembly.’
It reads, “President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this year.
“Therefore, the President has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.”
Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trips to China and the United Kingdom, “wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding,” said Onanuga.
At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.
The high-level General Debate, with the theme “Leaving No One Behind: Acting Together for the Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development, and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations,” will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024.

Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Aliyu,says the commission will deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) to fight corruption.
Aliyu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said this in Abuja, yesterday, on the sidelines of the one-day National Anti-Corruption Coalition (NACC) Members Hybrid Interactive Forum.
He said that ICPC would deploy technological measures, especially AI to unravel corrupt practices easily.
The ICPC boss said that within the last 24 hours, the commission had recovered about four billion Naira stolen by public office holders.
“Today, I want to underscore the potential of technological solutions in promoting accountability and good governance.
“Technology can work wonders because it is not biased like humans. It can help us tackle challenges if we use it properly and effectively.
“This technology, as I have mentioned, has the capability to address numerous issues.
“We know there are digital platforms that sometimes, unfortunately, contribute to corruption
“However, I can tell you that in the last 24 hours, we have been able to recover four billion Naira of public funds, which were diverted into private accounts,” he said.
According to him, it is alarming to see how much money is being misappropriated, and some individuals have billions of naira in their possession for personal gain.
“It is a shocking reality that people are hoarding public funds, instead of using them for the benefit of the nation.
“As a commission, we are utilising technology and management systems to restore confidence in the fight against corruption.
“We are committed to ensuring transparency in this endeavour,” he said.
Aliyu said that there were systemic flaws in the country, especially regarding public spending.
He said that there was the need to invest in technology that could help minimise the challenges of corruption, particularly in public procurement.
“By implementing tech-driven processes, we can reduce practices like contract inflation.
“Using technologies like blockchain can help eliminate manipulation and ensure the integrity of public procurement.
“Data analytics are also crucial. The data we rely on is often outdated or inaccurate, which causes inefficiency.
“By embracing AI, we can easily convert certain processes to be more transparent and effective,” Aliyu said.
He underscored the importance of implementing preventive strategies to combat corruption.
“This is why social integrity and capacity building are essential. Civic engagement and public education are key to ensuring that people understand their rights and responsibilities.
“When citizens are aware, they can hold public officers accountable. We must empower our people. Four or five years ago, we could have seen this transformation if we had started then.
“There is the need to ensure that the systems we build today withstand the test of time and foster respect for human rights and dignity.
“We need to build a culture that discourages corruption and promotes ethical governance,” he said.
He also called on the National Assembly to ensure speedy passage of the Whistle Blowing Act, adding that to fight corruption, there was the need to protect whistle blowers.
Mr Muhuyi Magaji, the Chairman Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission, said that fighting corruption was a collective responsibility.
Magaji said that when citizens joined hands against corruption, the monster would be easily defeated.
“When people own the fight against corruption, that is when it will always be strengthened. It is not for us at the government level to fight corruption alone.
“It needs the involvement of all, it is a collective fight so the occasion itself is a very important,” he said.
Mr Demola Bakare, Acting Director, Public Enlightenment and Education, ICPC, urged the participants at the forum to fight corruption without sentiment.
Bakare advised them to also have a deep knowledge of the Act that established the commission to enable them discharge their responsibility effectively
He said that fighting corruption was like a marathon race that needed perseverance and endurance to win.
Bakare pledged the support of the anti-graft agency to all the stakeholders, in winning the war against corruption in the country.