By Chinwe Imo-Eze Onwosi

The Federal Government through the International Fund for Agricultural Development – Value Chain Development Program IFAD – VCDP, has acknowledged the remarkable transformation by its 9-year presence in Ebonyi State, resulting in enhanced food security, increased agricultural productivity, and empowerment of farmers.

Dr Fatima Aliyu, National Programme Co-ordinator IFAD-VCDP, made this comment during the  official handing over of Agricultural equipment to beneficiaries of the FG-IFAD and Ebonyi State Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP).

Aliyu who was represented by Mr Gidado Bello, Human Resource Adviser VCDP Abuja, said the huge achievements by the program in the state was due to the support of the government program and policies.

“One of the biggest achievements of the state VCDP is the perfect alignment of the programme with policies and programmes of the State government which leads to the government support and continuity.

“The programme is owned by the Federal Government and State Government.

“IFAD is only facilitating their performance and support is what matters to us. And we have seen it in the state government.

“Again, these items you see here will form the one stop agro input store where farmers can go and pick what they need to improve on their livelihood,” Aliyu said.

In his remark, the Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, attributed the progress made in supporting farmers, such as providing grants and facilitating access roads to farmlands, to the instrumental role played by IFAD.

The Governor, who was represented by Mrs. Nkechinyere Iyioku, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, represented Nwifuru as she stated that the value chain program has significantly impacted the lives of farmers in the state since its implementation in 2013.

“Today IFAD is rolling out rice and cassava production and processing equipments amongst others to farmers organisations drawn from eight participating local Govt areas.

“We admonish the beneficiaries organisation to effectively put all these equipment to use in order to achieve the purpose it is meant for.

“All hands must be on deck to ensure food security in the nation,” Nwifuru said.

Mr Sunday Ituma, State Programme Co-ordinator IFAD-VCDP said the programme had invested the sum of N 87 million in the procurement of the agricultural equipment.

Ituma added that beneficiaries contributed about 30 per cent of the cost while IFAD – VCDP contributed N60. 9 million.

“It a matching ground intervention. The programme procured agricultural equipment for production, processing and other empowerment programme.

“We have one-stop agro, and the essence is to support one beneficiary from each LGAs to venture into buying and selling of agricultural inputs.

“We are also partnering with zenith bank, moni point and have registered 20 youths with cooperate affairs and will support them with point of sale,” he said.

He said that the project was aimed to reduce poverty, support youths, women especially the vulnerable group to enable them practice agriculture effectively.

According to him, it also aimed at creating employment to generate income.

He applauded Gov Francis Nwifuru for the role played in the implementation of IFAD-VCDP in the state.

He said Nwifuru approved counterparts fund contribution of N100 million which made it possible for the programme.

“We are going to have another batch before end of 2023.

“There are other interventions projects ongoing in 8 participating local government areas. The programmes is intervening and providing solar power pole holes.

“We have also completed 16 of them, two in each LGAs, among others,” Ituma said.

He further commended IFAD and the National Programme Co-ordinator for their kind supports so far of the programme.

He charged the beneficiaries to utilise the items distributed to serve it purpose.

Mrs Chioma Nweze, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Community Development, assured that the presidency is interested in stepping down initiatives and programmes to the grassroot.

Nweze urged the beneficiaries never to give up on their farming no matter the challenges faced but save from every profit made from their seedling.

“IFAD is about the people, the grassroots and the communities,” Nweze said.

Mr Anthony Nwegede, Chairman of the Occasion urged the beneficiaries to utilise the opportunity and equipment given to improve their farming skills.

“You must take this opportunity seriously, knowing that the growth of our economy depends on agriculture.

“To boost agriculture produce here, we needs a collective responsibility of government, stakeholders and farmers,” Nwegede said.

Mr Edward Isiwu, Enugu Programme Co-ordinator VCDP said that the programme were significantly targeted to reduce poverty among farmers.

Mrs Theresa Igwe of Umuohara Widows and Mr Theophilus Aja of Onye Aghala Nwanney groups unbehalf of the beneficiaries expressed satisfaction over the procurement and promised to make agriculture” a money spinning venture”.

The equipments were handed over to various group farmers by Gov Nwifuru.

The equipments distributed include; 8 tricircle, 10 water pumping machine, 10 rice reaper, 10 rice planter, 10 scalers and 10 stitchers.

Others include 8 sets of rice miller equipment with distoner, hauler, polisher and power point, winnower 12, thresher 12 and agro chemicals non selective herbicides, NPK fertiliser, Urea, selective herbicides among others.

Nwifuru’s wife inaugurates Stanbic IBTC projects in Ebonyi

By Judith Eze

Mrs Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Ogbonna Nwifuru, the wife of the Governor of Ebonyi State, has inaugurated projects undertaken by Stanbic IBTC Bank at Inclusive Secondary School ‘Berea’, Nwofe Agbaja in Izzi Local Government Area.

The bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative includes the installation of a borehole with a solar-powered overhead tank and four taps, classroom renovations, hall refurbishments, and wheelchair donations to students.

Mrs Nwifuru expressed her gratitude to Stanbic IBTC Bank for providing this unique service that touches the lives of vulnerable individuals in Ebonyi. She emphasized that such services are rare and appreciated.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development represented Mrs Nwifuru during the event. She stressed that Governor Nwifuru-led administration is committed to ensuring that people living with disabilities receive their fair share of needs.

The commissioner urged parents who had given up on their disabled children to enroll them in this school so they can become resourceful members of society.

In his remarks, Mr Marcel Okechukwu-Cluster Head Enterprise Direct-representing Stanbic IBTC Bank said that this project aligns with Standard Bank Group’s corporate social investment goals which aim at improving people’s lives across Nigeria.

He advised the school administration to utilize all resources provided by the bank.
He added: “We want our impact as a business felt by this school community.”He further stated:

“It is indeed a privilege if you have your five senses working; be grateful.”

During his speech earlier in the day, Mr Frank Van Da Maas – proprietor of Inclusive Secondary School ‘Berea’ Nwofe revealed there were 1,050 normal and disabled students enrolled at his institution. He thanked Stanbic IBTC Bank for fulfilling its promise promptly while delivering quality workmanship within record time.

“There was always water scarcity here because we only had wells before now,”he said while appreciating two wheelchairs donated by Stanbic IBTC Bank too.

Embrace skill Acquisition, Ebonyi First Lady tells indigent youths

Judith Eze

The First Lady of Ebonyi State, Mrs. Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Ogbonna Nwifuru has reiterated the call for youths in the state to embrace skill acquisition programmes in order to be self-reliant.

According to her, youths should learn a skill and not depend on handouts as this will add value to them and others around.

The governor’s wife who was represented by the commissioner for women affairs, Mrs Felicia Nwakpuma, made the call during the graduation ceremony and empowerment of 50 catholic youths who have acquired various skills through the Empowering Youths For Economic Self-Reliance (EYES) Project.

At the ceremony which was held at Pastoral Center, Mile 50, Abakaliki, Chief Mrs Nwifuru encouraged the benefitiaries to practice what they have learned and equally advised them to transmit the same skills to others for the good of the society.

She lauded the efforts of the Funders, Missio Stiftung foundation based in Austria and the project team who worked tirelessly to ensure that the project was successful in the state.

“If you do not utilize the opportunity given to you, you will turn yourself to a begger.” she maintained

While presenting the start-up empowerment equipments worth millions of naira to the graduands, the Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Nworie Chukwu, charged them to keep practicing the skill what they have acquired in other to avoid redundancy

The Bishop who was represented by the Chaplin of St. Luke’s Chaplaincy, Presco, Rev. father Joseph Orji, Chukwu commended the graduates for completing their training programmes in their various chosen careers.

He said the project was aimed at training 50 indigent youths drawn from the 21 deaneries of the diocese in different skills acquisition and is funded by the Missio Foundation, Austria.

He urged the beneficiaries to complement the efforts of the Church by putting into good use, the equipment given to them to start their new trades and add economic value to their lives.

He further commended Dr Nkechi Emma-Echiegu, the EYES Project director in Ebonyi for her steadfastness and commitment to ensuring the success of the programme in the state.

In her remark, the Project Director, Dr (Mrs) Nkechi Emma Echiegu noted that the EYES project being funded by Missio Foundation was aimed at empowering youths in market-informed demand-driven entrepreneurship.

She said that the selection of trainees followed a seamless process adding that the beneficiaries were trained by qualified and certified vendors.

“The beneficiaries were trained on photography, make-up artistry, alumaco fittings and bead making tailoring; GSM repairs, computer repairs and installation, computer designs and graphics, shoe making and leather works.

“We were mandated to train 50 young catholics and today, we are graduating 40. 10 persons graduated in June making it a total of 50 indigents youths drawn from the 21 deaneries of the diocese.

” The items being distributed are given out as loans which must be paid back by the beneficiaries in line with an agreement with our partnering bank,” she said

Gov Nwifuru’s wife flag-off Measles vaccination campaign in Ebonyi

*Assures residents of safety for children

By Judith Eze

The Wife of Ebonyi Governor, Mrs Mary-Maudline  Nwifuru has flagged off the 2023 measles vaccination campaign exercise in the state.

Mrs Nwifuru during the vaccination which took place at iboko in Izzi Local Government Area of the state assured residents of the state that tvaccines provided for Measles Campaign exercise are safe, effective, and proven to protect children from the scourge.

She described measles as disease that has continued to pose threat to children’s health.

She maintained that Immunisation was key and the campaign, a vehicle to a brighter and healthier future.

“Immunisation exercise is an initiative that holds the power to protect our children, give values to life and transform their futures

“Our duty as parents, caregivers, responsible citizens and government to take actions and ensure that our children are protected from this devastating illness.

“Success of this campaign relies on your participation. Parents and caregivers, I urge you to bring out your children for vaccination,” Mrs Nwifuru said.

The Deputy Governor, Mrs Patricia Obila, pleaded that the exercise should be given top priority, adding that the state government was committed to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the exercise.

Obila encouraged all local government stakeholders, especially the chairmen to ensure a successful outcome of the campaign in the state.

She enjoined the support of community leaders in facilitating community participation and mobilisation of children and eligible adults for the vaccination campaign.

Mrs Vivian Ibe, State Coordinator World Health Organisation (WHO) disclosed that the state had so far, recorded over 10 cases of measles in 2023.

Ibe stressed the need for all to take advantage of the vaccination exercise as a priority to protect children from the burden.

“Every 1 out of 20 children that suffered measles come out with pneumonia which is also life threatening.

“So, i encourage parents, caregivers and all stakeholders that the vaccine is important and we should protect our children from the scourage,” Ibe said.

She commended the state government for the exercise and appreciated other partners and UN agencies in the state.

Mr Moses Ekuma, Commissioner for Health in the state, said hat the vaccination is compulsory.

Ekuma added that the vaccination is not optional but an offense when children are not immunised.

He said the vaccine is for children between 09 to 59 months.

He commended partners, Governor Francis Nwifuru and wife for making the exercise a reality.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Mr Moses Ogodoali-nome, ALGON Chairman promised to reach out to difficult areas in the rural communities.

“We will continue to support the the programme to ensure children are immunised and protect them from the disease.

“Hard-to-reach areas must be reached and we will not relent in doing every thing possible to ensure a successful outcome,”Ogodoali-nome.

Mrs Ngozi Obichukwu, Commissioner for Aviation and Mr Steven Nwankpa, Izzi Council boss, said that the Governor’s commitment to make impact on wellbeing of people,” speaks volume”.

“We are prepared to support the programme,” they said.

Mrs Nwifuru kicked off the campaign exercise against measles by immunizing children of the said age.

Sen. Nwebonyi Attributes Nigeria’s struggle to Bad Leadership

By Chinwe Imo-Eze Onwosi

The Senator Representing Ebonyi North senatorial zone, Ebonyi State at the National Assembly, Barr Onyekachi Nwebonyi has identified bad leadership as the root cause of Nigeria’s struggles since independence.

Nwebonyi while interacting with newsmen on the occassion of Nigeria at 63 and Ebonyi State at 27 expressed optimism that president Bola Tinubu will change the country economically and otherwise.

He maintained that: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a man with plan. He did it as the Governor of Lagos State, today Lagos State is the leading state in Nigeria economically because of him. He has set Lagos State on auto pilot economically to the extent that the successive government in hundred years will have focus, will have a mission, this is a development plan. So, we are happy that we have such a man as President of the country.”

Furthermore, Senator Nwebonyi took the opportunity to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visionary approach to national development. He emphasized that achieving progress in the country necessitates not only this vision but also a collective spirit of patriotism and unwavering support from all Nigerians toward the federal government’s initiatives.

“63 years of Independence is not 63 years and I must tell you that politically we have made progress, economically, we have made progress. The only area we need to make progress and more meaningful progress is on the area of leadership.

“Nigeria has all it takes to be the leader of the world but our challenge is bad leadership. But now, we have a President that understands the economy that he wants to run, a President with the understand as to how things work, a President that has a vision for his nation.

” At times people want to be President for the sake of being a President but Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a man with plan. He did it as the Governor of Lagos, today Lagos State is the leading state in Nigeria economically because of that same man.

“He has set Lagos State in auto pilot economically to the extent that the successive government in hundred years will have focus, will have a mission, this is a development plan. So, we are happy that we have such a man as President of the country.

“Loot at the bold step he has taken so far on assumption of office including the removal of fuel subsidy. We all know this was a conduit pipe to siphon all our resources to the detriment of ordinary Nigerian but he came on board and removed it. Now, our credit is growing, our revenue is growing.

“The government can now embark on meaningful project and I commend him on the hand in terms of his team , going by the Ministers he appointed to help him work. They are men of capacity, they are men of proving integrity ranging from the Minister of Works. You can see his steps so far; moving from site to site, checking the jobs to make sure it is done according to specification and you can see the revelation he is making, a job of N40bn has been jacked to over N100bn.