Niger Delta

‘Nigeria Can Earn N20bn From Moringa Plants’

Published

14 years ago

June 27, 2011

Moringa Development Association (MDA), says Nigeria can earn about N20 billion yearly from export proceeds of the plants.

The chairman of the association in Rivers State, Mr. Martins Woboeh who disclosed this during the inauguration of the Rivers State branch in Port Harcourt described the plant as an option for reliance on crude oil and gas.

Mr. Martins Woboeh told newsmen that countries like Ghana and Kenya, have started reaping fortunes from the plant, which he noted grows widely in most part of the country.

He argued that if the country was poised to diversify its economy from oil, then Moringa provides a ready-made opportunity following the medicinal and nutritional values discovered from its wage.

Mr. Woboeh further explained that there have been lots of scientific proof on the efficacy of the plant in the treatment of various ailments, noting that researchers from Nnandi Azikiwe University, Awka have equally attested to the medicinal value, as well.

By last year December, they brought quantum of what they have done on Moringa at Abuja, even as insecticides comparing it with Nim Tree and the effect in the body”.

Already, he disclosed that the body has begun negotiations with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) for large scale cultivation and processing and packaging of the plant in the state.

Mr. Woboeh who is also the Deputy Director of the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) in Rivers State, also stated that the association would soon commence enlightenment programme on the citizenry, “we are insisting that each family in Rivers State should have a seedling”.

On the prospects of the plant, Mr. Woboeh stressed the need for government partnership since that would provide employment and revenue benefits for the populace.

Earlier, the Zonal Coordinator of MDA, Mrs. Chioma Ameofule, said the cultivation of the plant has begun in various parts of the South-South, stating that the plan of the association was to educate the public for them to embrace it.

Rivers State Coordinator of Raw Materials/Research Development Council (RMRDC), Mrs. Felicia Chilake, assured the association of the assistance of the agency in providing machineries in the packaging and processing of the plants in the state.

She disclosed that RMRDC would establish a Moringa development centre to assist members in more research and was of the product.

Former Chairman of ADP in Rivers State, Barrister Luke Nmelike disclosed that the Niger Delta Ministry has agreed to establish a demonstration farm of about 600 hectares of Moringa plant.

He explained that the cultivation and production would boost food security since the plant has both medicinal and nutritional values, it consumed as a beverage.

Niger Delta

D’Gov Emphasizes Agriculture In Industrialization … Tasks LG Health Authorities On Discipline

Published

4 mins ago

February 5, 2025

The Tide

Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has said efficient and sufficient agricultural production was key to food security and gateway to industrialization of any country, including Nigeria.

He made the assertion recently when the State chapter of the Nigerian Women in Agricultural Business (NIWAB) paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.

Ewhrudjakpo noted that agriculture was one of the legs on which the ASSURED Prosperity Agenda of the Governor Douye Diri-led Administration stands as it holds huge potential for the state.

According to him, the key to get Bayelsa industrialized lies in agriculture, and therefore emphasized the need for every stakeholder in the sector, including NIWAB, to maximally explore areas in which it has comparative advantage to achieve food security.

While commending NIWAB for their bold initiative to key into the goal of agricultural revolution by the present administration, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, however, clarified that “henceforth government would only partner serious-minded agricultural cooperatives to drive the process”.

Earlier in her presentation, the State President of NIWAB, Mrs. Ebimotimi Leghemo, said women farmers in Bayelsa were ready to take full advantage of the fertile soil in the state to produce enough food to feed all Bayelsans and supply other states.

She disclosed that over 15,000 Bayelsan women had so far registered with NIWAB, declaring the cooperative’s readiness to work with the Prosperity Administration in agriculture, and solicited support from government.

Meanwhile, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo also charged the Chairmen and Executive Secretaries of the various Local Government Healthcare Authorities (LGHAs) in the state to enforce strict discipline in the primary health sector.

He gave the charge when he granted audience to the chairmen and executive secretaries during a courtesy visit, while also kicking against the prioritization of health infrastructure over its manpower needs in the country.

He noted that until the country gets its primary healthcare sector right, Nigeria’s overall healthcare delivery system would not be able to make the desired progress.

Responding to the requests of the LGHA chairmen and secretaries, Senator Ewhrudjakpo assured them that the issues would be looked into and addressed accordingly.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Dr. Robert Director noted the operational challenges confronting them, saying they include lack of office accommodation and official vehicles, as well as funds to carry out statutory functions such as the execution of emergency health intervention projects.

Niger Delta

ThisDay award, Affirmation Of Oborevwori’s Performance — Commissioner

Published

5 mins ago

February 5, 2025

The Tide

Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has said the sterling performance of the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, stood him out for the ThisDay and Arise Television award.

Aniagwu stated this on Monday in Asaba at a press conference while reacting to a statement credited to former Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, demanding to know what the state government has done with its finances.

The Commissioner, in company of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, and the Executive Assistant to Governor on New Media, Mr. Felix Ofou, said government would reply critics with more projects.

He said the Governor Oborevwori-led administration had defrayed over N235 billion debts from inherited projects and had initiated new ones.

According to him, the Governor is a bridge builder who does not discriminate against anyone on account of political affiliations.

He said the Governor had impacted all sectors of the state’s economy and had initiated new projects and in 2024 budgeted N1 billion for road projects across the 25 Local Government Areas in the state.

Aniagwu said given the impact of the LGA road projects, the State Government has also in 2025 increased the budget to N2.1 billion for road projects across the LGAs.

The Commissioner said the State Government has awarded over 15 kilometers of road projects in the Ndokwa Nation in addition to the many ongoing bridge constructions in the area.

According to Aniagwu, the sterling performance of Governor Oborevwori in the past 19 and half months has become the undoing of critics.

He said on account of the N1 billion budgeted for road projects across LGAs, the State Government has been able to take road projects to the community and to ward levels in the 25 LGAs.

He also said the State Government’s contributions to the education and judiciary sectors were unprecedented.

The Commissioner said the Oborevwori government has acquired and donated over 60 brand new vehicles among other gadgets to security agencies to combat crimes in the state.

He also said the government has initiated and commenced the construction of 50 units of pilot housing scheme in three locations across the three senatorial districts of the state, adding that the state capital, Asaba, would soon wear a brand new look.

Aniagwu continued that the Governor pays salaries and allowances of civil servants as and when due and was prompt in payment of the new minimum wage to the workers.

“In health sector alone, the government has renovated and equipped no fewer than 150 health care facilities across the state.

”The Governor believes in value for money, hence he engages in physical project monitoring. He has also charged the commissioners to monitor and avoid shoddy jobs if they want to remain or be shown the way out.

“We give as much as 40 per cent mobilisation and pay certificates to contractors to ensure timely completion of projects and to avoid contract reviews and in spite of all this, we remain solvent and solid financially, we have not borrowed a dime from anyone.

”So, our brother, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege need to be educated on what we are doing with our monies”, Aniagwu said.

Aniagwu warned individuals who engage in grabbing government lands to desist forth with, adding that government would not only demolish such buildings, but would subject the culprits to pay the bills for the demolitions.

He said the Governor was concentrating on good governance and would not be distracted by those whose trade in stock was to defect from one political party to another.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom CP Cautions Youth Against Violence In Oil Producing Communities

Published

6 mins ago

February 5, 2025

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Azare, has warned youths against indulging in violence, especially in oil producing communities to ensure development in the state.

Azare said this during a meeting with youth leaders and representatives of International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the state in Uyo, yesterday.

The Commissioner warned the youths against taking laws into their hands by blocking roads in oil companies whenever there was any dispute.

Azare attributed the misunderstanding between the host communities and oil companies to a breakdown in communication.

He emphasised that there could not be any development without peace, and urged the youth leaders to work hand-in-hand with the police to resolve all disputes, stressing that the Command would not take it kindly with any group of people who disturbed the peace of the land.

The Commissioner said dialogue became important to ensure an enabling environment for oil companies to operate.

“No one should block the free flow of operations of these companies.

Without development, we cannot grow the economy. If you have any problem, inform us immediately, so that we have a common ground to resolve issues amicably.

“The factory sited in your community is for empowerment and development of the community and state”, Azare said.

He urged the youths to exhaust all avenues for dialogue and not to resort to violence.

“We are ready to partner with you, going forward we expect that peace reign in all your communities”, he said.

Responding, the Security Manager at Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Mr. Johnson Oboh, blamed the community leaders for not involving the youths as contained under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

Oboh noted that the PIA directs oil firms to spend three per cent of their operation cost on the communities.

He advised the youths to be conversant with the Act which has taken much of the burden of Corporate Social Responsibility from the oil companies.

He promised that going forward the oil companies would initiate communication avenues to resolve all lingering issues.