Niger Delta
IFAD, LIFE-ND Inaugurate Multi-million Naira Agric Projects In Delta
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) assisted Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) has continued with inauguration of agricultural enhancement projects in communities in Delta State.
The initiative, which is a tripartite programme of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), is aimed at ensuring food security through empowerment of women and youths in the rural communities in the Niger Delta region.
The Tide’s source reports that LIFE-ND on Wednesday inaugurated multi-million naira State-of-the-art poultry facility consisting five compartments of 250 birds capacity each, an office, store, toilet and an eight cubic meter solar powered borehole at Ekuma- Abavo, Ika South LGA of Delta state.
Also inaugurated was a cassava processing facility with machinery such as fryer, grater, sieving machine, manual and hydraulic press and washing machine with two office and store rooms, 25KVA generator, borehole and toilet at Ndemili, Ndokwa West LGA of the state.
While inaugurating the facilities on Wednesday, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, represented by the State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. John Onovroke, charged the communities to take ownership of the projects.
He urged the benefiting communities not to allow the initiative and the projects to die but explore the opportunities they provided to ensure results and grow the economy of their communities in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
He said the projects would enable the rural communities engage in meaningful development through agriculture which would ensure food security, jobs and wealth creation for the people.
According to Kyari, cassava value chain provides veritable opportunity for women and youths to earn foreign exchange through dedicated and committed efforts.
“Also, as an agrarian community, Ekuma and Ndemili owe it a duty to maintain, sustain and multiple this facilities, train and empower the entire people of the community”, he said.
On his part, the National Project Coordinator, LIFE-ND, Dr. Abiodun Sanni, represented by Mr. Anthony Moluno, Rural Infrastructure Coordinator, charged the communities to put the facilities into effective use and not abandon the infrastructure.
He thanked the community for their peaceful disposition and for donating the land that enable the projects to succeed, adding that sustained peace would attract more projects to the communities.
He also thanked the State Government for its support and the partners for sustaining the programmes and making funds available for the projects execution in the various communities.
Also, in her remarks, the representative of the NDDC, Mrs. Stella Manure, assured that the commission would sustain its support to the project in its bid to develop and eradicate poverty and ensure food security in the region.
Earlier in his address the State Project Coordinator, LIFE-ND, Mr. Collins Ashoro, said the benefiting communities were fortunate to be among the 10 selected communities in the project implementing 10 LGAs in the state.
According to Ashoro, 4,373 individuals have benefited from the LIFE-ND project with over 40 infrastructural projects executed across Delta State.
“This initiative aligns with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E. Agenda and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, both committed to improving the quality of life for families through agriculture and economic empowerment.
“The project objective is to enhance income, food security, and job creation for rural youth and women through enterprise development on sustainable basis using the incubation model.”
He said the projects “Cassava and poultry facilities” provided platform to reduce post harvest loses, enhance quality of products, improve livelihoods of farmers and increase access to better techniques which would give rise to higher yield and improved marketability of their products.
“The facilities will serve as a training hub for incubates and by equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge, we are nurturing a new generations of agripreneurs who will drive innovation and growth in agricultural sector.
”These facilities are not just infrastructure projects but a symbol of hope, resilience, and progress. They represent our shared vision for a brighter future, where sustainable development and economic empowerment are within reach for all,” Ashoro said.
Responding on behalf of the communities, Ika South Council Chairman, Mr. Jerry Ehiwarior, represented by the LGA Secretary, Mr. Kainji Aluge-Obia, and the President General of Ndemili, Chief Austine Okonye, represented by Mr. Austine Ndego, lauded the projects.
They assured that the projects would be utilized, sustained and maintained for the benefits of the communities.
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Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has said his administration will continue to collaborate with the navy for effective protection of the waterways.
Otu stated this when the Commandant, Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, Commodore Shuaib Ahmed, visited him in Calabar.
The Governor described the visit as critical to consolidating the partnership between Cross River State and the navy.
“Peace and stability remain non-negotiable prerequisites for the progress of the state.
“So, this visit reaffirms our shared resolve to keep the state safe and secured through sustained collaboration,” he said.
Otu stated that security remained the foundation for meaningful development in every society.
“No society prospers in the midst of insecurity. As a state, our development vision depends on peace, order and collective vigilance,” he said.
The Governor commended the Navy for the level of professionalism being exuded by its personnel in the discharge of their duties.
He said the Navy’s efforts had hugely boosted investor confidence and strengthened the state’s economic environment.
The Governor assured the Navy of the state government’s continued support towards enhanced operation.
Earlier, Ahmed explained that the visit followed the military tradition of familiarizing with authorities upon assumption of duties.
He stated that it was crucial to align naval operations with the strategic priorities of the state government.
The naval chief thanked the state government for its support to the force, saying, “your support has helped us immensely in achieving targets”
The Commandant further said there was need to strengthen infrastructure and communication systems in order to address evolving security challenges.
“Operationalising key naval facilities will improve our capacity to tackle maritime crimes.
“The Navy is committed to supporting the state in ensuring the safety and security of the waterways.
“We shall continue to promote peace while enabling the residents to carry out their lawful activities without fear,” he said.
The Agbura Community of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, has again lauded the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and the Managing-Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, over infrastructure projects executed in the community.
Speaking with newsmen midweek in Yenagoa, its Chairman, Community Development Committee, Mr. Tribunal Egba, hailed the Governor for the successful completion of the abandoned Oxbow lake-Agbura Road project and others within the Community.
He also eulogized the NDDC MD for the construction of new lodge in the community for serving Corps members as well as plans to execute other projects.
Mr. Egba added that the completion of the Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road has given the community facelift, while also pleading with the government and the interventionist agency to award shore protection contract in the community to save it from the perennial floodings experienced in the fast urbanizing town.
Similarly, the community’s leadership has given assurances that it will continue to give priority to development and security of lives and property.
The CDC helmsman promised to strengthen the existing community vigilante group, while also stressing that the age-long synergy between the community and security agencies would be improved upon to get rid of crime and criminalities in the area.
“As a community, we’re so thankful to Governor Diri for constructing the abandoned Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road project. We’re also glad with the level of infrastructural development ongoing in other parts of the state, courtesy of the Diri-led administration.
“We also like to laud the MD/CEO, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for the construction of a befitting Corpers lodge for Corps members serving in this community.
“Our priority as a community now is to protect these infrastructure projects. We’ll continue to work in synergy with all security agencies to make sure there’s peace and development”, the CDC leadership said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Delta State Government has expressed deep sadness over the sudden death of Mr. Sunny Kotor, Senior Special Assistant on Protocol to the State Government.
Kotor, a renowned Master of Ceremony at state functions, reportedly slumped and passed away last Friday.
In a statement signed by the Delta State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, in Warri on Saturday, his passing was described as “a profound loss; not only to his family, but to the Government and people of Delta State who benefited immensely from his professionalism, composure, and unmistakable presence at official engagements.
“He brought dignity, structure, and excellence to every function he handled, leaving behind a standard that will be difficult to forget,” the statement added.
The Commissioner noted that “every passing is indeed a sobering reminder of how fragile and fleeting life can be,” extending heartfelt condolences to Kotor’s family, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of working with him.
The statement prayed that God would grant them the strength to bear the irreparable loss.
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