Niger Delta
Edo Farmers Lament Inability To Access N700m Agric Fund
Farmers in Edo say the non-payment of counterpart funds of N200 million by the state government for Federal Government’s agricultural programmes has denied them access to more than N700 million.
Edo North Senatorial District Coordinator of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Dr Abdulahi Mohammed, made the claims in an interview with newsmen in Auchi, Edo.
Mohammed accused the state government of insensitivity towards agriculture.
He said that aside the N20 million paid in 2009 as counterpart fund for Root and Tubers Expansion Project (RTEP), no other money had been released for the sector.
He said that the discrimination against agriculture in the scheme of things by the state government was exemplified in the less than one per cent budgetary allocation to the sector this year.
“Is it not sad that only N12 million counterpart fund is delaying the take-off of the Rural Finance Institutions Programme (RIFINS), which the state was chosen among nine other states for the pilot project?’’ he asked.
The AFAN coordinator said, “With this attitude, the state’s desire of attaining sufficient food production will be a mirage.’’
He said, “Farmers have no access to the governor and he does not even recognise us.
“We have made our position known to him through the Commissioner for Agriculture, but the situation did not change.
“Previous administrations in the state did not bother about agriculture, but we had hoped for something better from this government but what we are experiencing now is sad.’’
Mohammed said that the fate of agriculture in the state was so bad that “there was no official flag-off of the 2010 farming season. It never happened before”.
He, however, commended the Gov. Adams Oshiomhole for embarking on massive road construction across the state and appealed to him to also pay similar attention to the agriculture sector.
“We want the government to realise that the unemployed and the hungry, if not taken care of, will make the good roads unsafe for users,’’ he said.
When contacted, the Edo Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Tunde Lakoju, said the state government was committed to developing agriculture in order to create employment and eradicate poverty.
He, however, admitted that less than 1 per cent of its 2010 budget was allocated to the sector, and said that government was exploring the possibility of developing the sector through private investments.
According to the commissioner, government will soon settle the issue of counterpart funding as a memo to that effect is already awaiting the governor’s consent.
He said that it was not true that the government was not paying attention to the sector, adding that what government had done in the past one year was to prioritise its little resources.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.
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