The International Fund For Agricultural Development (IFAD) in collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Wednesday kicked off the training of over 4,250 agropreneurs drawn from Rivers State.
The training follows the commencement of payment by the NDDC of $30m or N45bn counterpart funding meant to accommodate 12,750 beneficiaries from Rivers, Imo, and Akwa Ibom states who were left out when six other states started six years ago.
The three states were to be funded by the NDDC tranche while the International Fund for Agriculture (IFAD) sponsored the other six with $60m.
The IFAD fund is said to be a soft loan to the Federal Government with IFAD as implementers through a scheme called the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta of Nigeria (LIFE ND Nigeria).
The aim of the project is to fight poverty and insecurity in rural areas by seeking to wipe off poverty amongst the vulnerable populace (youths and women) and the disabled.
4,250 trainees are drawn from 10 local government areas of each participating state to be trained and empowered along agricultural chains by selecting four agric and fishing commodities.
Experts in the selected products and commodities are recruited as incubators while the trainees are selected to understudy the incubators patterned along the apprenticeship system in eastern parts of Nigeria.
Both incubators and incubators are placed under an orientation programme after which they depart to begin a training period as stipulated by the LIFE ND managers under the FG/IFAD/NDDC scheme which has contributions from partners including participating state governments.
The original six states are said to have just concluded their six years and are understood to be ready to advance to another stage. Now, Rivers, Imo, and Akwa Ibom are starting for their own initial six years.
Flagging off the orientation leg on behalf of Rivers State government, on Wednesday, Maurice Ogolo, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, expressed excitement with the commencement of the training programme.
He observed; “Agriculture is the livewire of our communities. Fishery and crops are important to us. So, take this scheme very seriously because the outcome will change the state,” he told the beneficiaries.
He hinted that the state government was supporting the scheme with rural roads and access to markets. “See yourselves as very lucky people”, he told the participants.
Ogolo, who hailed the NDDC for joining the scheme with $30m (N45Bn) counterpart fund attributed the development to God alone, saying any nation that failed to develop its communities (rural areas) was finished.
He also hailed the Rivers State governor, Sim Fubara, not only for paying Rivers State counterpart fund without wasting any time but for embracing the scheme fully. “This is a serious project because it touches the livewire of our dear state with 10 communities in 10 local council areas.
A source from the Rivers State government hinted that the state was likely to create There incentives and awards for best participants to encourage the beneficiaries into putting more effort in the scheme. The source stated that a beneficiary might earn up to N500,000 in some skills such as fish business, if they subject themselves to efficient training.
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Also speaking, Winifred Madume, NDDC Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, described Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director of the Commission, as a man of vision and determination for kickstarting the payment of the $30m (N45bn) after others had failed for almost a decade.
She noted that the success of the scheme was upon the beneficiaries just like the success stories of the LIFE ND everywhere in the Niger Delta, saying Rivers State focuses on the priority value chains of Fishery, Plantain, Cassava, and Poultry.
“This project aims to create 38,250 agripreneurs by using an incubation model. Throughout this training, you will gain insights into the incubation process, as well as the financial and technical support that will be available to you during and after your participation.
“You should consider yourselves privileged to be part of this prestigious initiative. Our staff remain closely engaged with beneficiaries to monitor their progress, offering guidance, and addressing challenges along the way. Your success here is not only a personal achievement but a testament to your commitment and potential as future agribusiness entrepreneurs within your communities”, Madume said.
In his keynote address, Abiodun Sanni, the National Coordinator of LIFE ND, described the day as a milestone with great enthusiasm because of over six years of delay.
He said the orientation event is the first step to equip youths, women, and disabled persons in the three new states adding that it was also for food security because the training is to grow agroprenuers that would grow the agric sector of the economy.
He said: “The LIFE-ND project is more than just providing resources; it is about empowering our youth to take ownership of their future, foster community development, and create lasting impact in their respective regions.
“I extend my deepest appreciation to our esteemed partners, particularly the NDDC for funding the project in Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Imo States, as well as the Governor of Rivers State and all those who have worked tirelessly to bring this initiative to life. Your unwavering dedication is instrumental to the success of this project.”
Welcoming the guests, Loveday Itatat, Rivers State project coordinator, said 364 beneficiaries were chosen from 1,568 applicants while 14 incubators were picked from 350 applicants.
Itatat said prior to this orientation training, a comprehensive sensitization exercise on the LIFE-ND project was conducted in 2024 in 20 communities across five Local Government Areas in Rivers State.
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