By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in partnership with the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises–Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), has stepped up efforts to drive agricultural and economic transformation across rural communities in the Niger Delta.
This was disclosed by the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
According to Thompson-Wakama, as part of the Commission’s oversight responsibilities, officials of the NDDC and LIFE-ND recently inspected agricultural incubation centres in Akwa Ibom, Imo and Rivers States to assess the performance of the programme in rural areas.
Speaking during an inspection visit to Megalakes Farms in Ogu Town, Rivers State, the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr Winifred Madume, explained that the exercise was a routine assessment aimed at evaluating the level of implementation of the programme.
She said: “This oversight function is to ensure that the training remains on course with its mandate. The NDDC’s commitment to meeting its counterpart funding obligations and driving rural economic transformation aligns with the agricultural development objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Dr Madume noted that the inspection provided an opportunity for direct engagement with incubatees across different batches, as well as the identification of areas requiring improvement under the LIFE-ND programme.
She added that the initiative is a collaborative effort involving the NDDC, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Federal Government and participating state governments.
The three-day inspection covered incubation centres in Delta, Imo and Akwa Ibom States.
The Special Assistant on Agriculture to the NDDC Managing Director, Mr Abi Morris, expressed satisfaction with the level of implementation and the enthusiasm displayed by young agripreneurs who have either established their own enterprises or are still undergoing incubation.
He spoke during an inspection of one of the training centres in Sogho, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“This programme is a clear demonstration of development in action. It goes beyond training to unlocking livelihoods and reshaping mindsets.
The Commission will continue to support initiatives that equip our youth with the skills and resources to succeed. We have taken note of the challenges faced by these young agripreneurs and ensured that necessary adjustments are made,” Morris said.
One of the beneficiaries in Sogho, Miss Nzhu Salome, expressed gratitude to the NDDC, noting that the programme had equipped her with the knowledge and funding required to establish her own garri marketing business.
In Imo State, Director II, Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr Tonye Frank-Oputu, underscored the importance of the initiative while commending the incubatees for their progress.
“The incubatees have shown remarkable dedication and have achieved a great deal so far. Their progress is clear evidence that the opportunities provided under the LIFE-ND programme are being effectively utilised,” he said.
Also in Imo State, an incubatee at Ibiasoegbe in Oru West Local Government Area, Ibigineh Doreen, praised the programme for significantly boosting her fish farming enterprise.
During oversight activities in Akwa Ibom State, a Director in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr Oretan Adebowale, charged beneficiaries in Adiasim Ikot Essin, Essien Udim Local Government Area, to apply the knowledge acquired to promote sustainable agriculture within their communities and across the state.
“From our interactions and observations, it is evident that the incubation model is efficient,” he noted.
Another incubatee, Mr Ohaka Emmanuel, thanked the NDDC and the Federal Government for the initiative, expressing appreciation for his selection into the third batch.
“This training has given me the opportunity to learn fish production, processing and marketing. I am also grateful to my incubator for the knowledge acquired,” he said.
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