Niger Delta
Agric Sector: Oshiomhole Promises 25,000 Jobs
Governor Adams
Oshiomhole of Edo State says investment in agriculture will provide 25,000 jobs for youths in the state.
Oshiomhole made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen in Benin recently.
He said government was partnering with some Vietnamese to produce rice and that they have already started work.
“In Edo state, my argument is, the responsibility of the leader is not to lament what we have done wrong, but to learn the right lessons and see how we can correct.
“So right now, we are moving more into agriculture. We have gotten some Vietnamese who are currently taking advantage of our weather and the fact that we have abundant land that is suitable land for farming to produce rice.
“And they told me they can turn round three times a year and they have started already.
That’s a project that we think easily can offer easily over 10,000 jobs.’’
Oshiomhole said government had entered into a deal with the Dangote group to set up a fertiliser plant in Aganebode in Owan East Local Government Area of the state.
He said the plant would be one of the biggest in Africa and capable of employing more than 10,000 people.
He said the installation of the plant would save the nation the trouble of importing fertiliser which sometimes, was of poor quality and delivered at the wrong season to farmers.
In another development, Oshiomhole says his administration’s commitment to the provision of roads was aimed at opening up the rural areas and boosting the state’s economy.
Oshiomhole stated this while inspecting some road projects under construction in Etsako-West Local Government of the state in Auchi, Edo.
Opening up the rural areas will have more impact on the economy because it will enable farmers to evacuate their produce from the farm.
“It will also draw the elite to build houses in their villages instead of Benin or Auchi”, he said
He said that due to the lack of access to the rural areas, “people see what we are doing in Benin but cannot see what we are doing in the rural areas because there are no roads.
Oshiomhole said that the government was working for the rural people and not just for those in the state capital, Benin.
Some of the roads inspected includes the Jattu-Ibie, Aowa-Iyora, Jattu-Akpena roads, Ayoguiri-Akpena-Ogodon Okpekpe roads.
The governor also inspected the erosion site in Auchi and the renovation of schools under the UBE scheme.
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.