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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The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.
Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.
Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.
He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”
“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.
In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.
“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.
Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.
“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.
The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.
The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.
Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.
He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.
“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.
“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.
“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.
The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.
Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.
The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.
Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.
The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.
The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.
Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.
The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.
Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.
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