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ANAMBRA TO LAUNCH OPERATION FARM TO FEED CAMPAIGN IN LGAS

By Chukwuka Ugokwe :

The Anambra State Government is to launch “Operation Farm To Feed Campaign” in all the 21 Local Government Areas to step down the initiative to the grassroots.

The State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo had in August 2024, championed and launched the programme to encourage food production even at a subsistence level to fight hunger.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor, made this known while receiving a delegation from Small Women Farmers Organisation In Nigeria (SWOFON) in his office.

He explained that during the launch, farm inputs and liquid organic fertilizers would be distributed to small holder farmers across the local government areas.

“This year, we want to take Farm To Feed Campaign to another level. The local governments are going to be launching their own version.

“During the launch, seedlings, seeds and bio enhancers will be distributed to farmers. So, we are encouraging people to cultivate in bags and even used buckets”

The Commissioner said he was confident that the government’s target of ensuring food security in the state would be achieved if everyone queued into the initiative.

He, then, assured the group of more commitment by the state government to support them with inputs and technical services to achieve food security in the state.

Dr Ihejiofor, used the opportunity to announce other government intervention programmes  including planned introduction of mechanised climbers and harvesters for palm produce.

Others include setting up of Agricultural Transformation Centres to provide technical support and new farming technologies, Special Agro Processing Zone for processing agric produce.

Earlier, SWOFON Consultant, Mrs Ugochi Ehiahuruike, commended the state government for assisting women farmers and carrying them along in various agricultural programmes in the state.

*Chukwuka is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

SOLUTION GOVERNMENT TRANSFORMING STATE’S ECONOMY THROUGH AGRICULTURE  —-DR IHEJIOFOR

By Chukwuka Ugokwe :

Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor speaks on the state of Agriculture in Anambra State.

Excerpts:

Mr Commissioner, can you tell us the achievements of your ministry since the inception of this administration?

The activities of this solution government, which is a very visionary government is committed to the welfare of the people in a manner that is indeed incomparable. Governor Soludo is determined to make sure every minute, every kobo count for the people of Anambra. Ministry of Agriculture is one of the ministries that he is using to execute his multi pronged approach to liberating our people from poverty and improving the quality of life and livelihood of Ndi Anambra.

In Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Governor hit the track running from day one.In fact looking at his manifesto he did promise to make agriculture one of the major growth sectors for the state transformed economy. He is doing this from multiple angles,but the most prominent is the fact that Mr Governor has identified the oil palm and coconut agricultural sector as very potent tool for eradicating poverty.

This move is quite apt because in the 60’s, Dr M. I Okpara achieved an economic growth that was unrivaled in the whole of West Africa. A very high rate of economic and GDP growth that informed the visit of the Malaysians who came over here and obtained seedlings and went back to their place,utilized the oil palm and coconut to bring down their poverty level from 55 percent to 5 percent over a period of time.

Mr Governor has adopted a socio economic model of bottom up approach where seedlings are procured and distributed to Ndi Anambra targeting the most vulnerable and of course extending to the rest of the populace.This improved oil palm seedlings which is called Tenera Seedlings that we are procuring and distributing has the capacity to make just five seedlings of it after three years,three and half years will begin to produce and by the time it reaches the height of productivity,the five seedlings will be generating over a million per annum.

This is without stop,it will continue to produce oil and other value chain items. For a period of 35 to 40 years the seedlings will continue to produce.Mr Governor’s agenda is that every qualified family in the 326 wards of the state will be given between 5 to 10 seedlings per annum over a period of four years.

So,you get a tune of 40 seedlings and a minimum of 20 seedlings, each family that gets just 5 has exited poverty line forever,in fact they have become millionaires.

This is being carefully and intentionally implemented across the state.We have already bought and distributed a million and forty thousand to Ndi Anambra targeted at about 250,000 households.

This year 2024, another over 1,040,000 seedlings have been distributed across the 326 wards of the state. So,by the time this programme is fully implemented,in fact,within this first term, households in the state who statistically are under poverty line would have been lifted out of poverty.So this agenda alone will eradicate poverty from Anambra State.

What is the Ministry doing to sustain other intervention programmes?

Alongside this, several other intervention programmes are on board.You realize that we have the agricultural policy of the state which is described as Regenerative Agriculture.This regenerative agricultural approach is a copy of the natural crop production system which is a system that is highly sustainable because it leverages the inputs of biological wastes that have been composted rather than chemical fertilizers and chemical inputs.

So using the affordable input of biological compost ensures that the farmer recycles biological wastes rather than going to buy expensive inorganic fertilizer and chemical agro inputs that help to degrade our soil and worsen the climate crisis that we face.

Regenerative Agriculture employs agricultural pathways that are eco- friendly and help to mitigate the climate crisis that we face, help to sustain the soil structure and sustain life in the soil which makes ecosystem productive and functional and makes even our soil less vulnerable to erosion.

When you use chemical agricultural inputs,you kill the microbes in the soil and that leads to soil compaction that leads to loss of soil structure and then gully erosion.So, this policy alone will make agriculture more sustainable, more resilient and indeed more profitable to Anambra farmers, besides producing crops and commodities that are healthy and then food as medicine.

Now, we have intervention programmes in the ministry.FADAMA CARES which has just exited,we still have Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) which is funded by International Fund For Agricultural Development (IFAD). We have the Agricultural Transformation Support Programme (ATASP 1) funded by the federal government in partnership with African Development Bank.

These intervention programmes are targeted at our stable food value chain; cassava,maize,rice, sorghum. They target these stable foods to enhance the infrastructural requirements in these areas of production and empower farmers through subsidized inputs to produce more and ensure food security in the state.

These programmes for instance ATAPS 1, is responsible right now for reactivation of a high capacity Irrigation Pumping Station in Ifite Ogwari that has the capacity to irrigate about 10,000 hectares of farm land.

Farmlands where rice production,maize production,sesame seed, sorghum can go on round the year once the reactivation is completed.It also means that we will be able to produce food all round the year.Rice can be produced three times rather than once which is what is happening right now.

Beside these major projects which is on going,they are also involved in supporting agricultural cooperatives with infrastructural and equipment inputs.They help them to build warehouses,give them equipment for processing of their commodities like rice,maize,sink boreholes and supply the farmers Solar Dryers.

Even access roads to farm lands and agricultural projects are provided by these intervention programmes VCDP and ATASP 1.So,under Mr Governor’s watch agricultural sector is receiving unprecedented attention.

So much is happening besides the oil and coconut palm seedlings which we are procuring this year.

What about Agricultural Transformation Centres and Special Agro Processing Zone, when are they going to be established?

Now,to transform the economy and transform it in a manner that is fundamental and sustainable, Governor Soludo has designed a market system that didn’t exist before.He is creating what we call a Mixed Use Industrial City in Aguata.About 4,000 hectares of land has been secured,where you have among other projects, Special Agro Processing Zone.

In this Special Agro Processing Zone,we are going to have multiple thousands of companies that will  come and be processing agric produce from Anambra.

In partnership with African Development Bank, Solution Government  wants to create Agricultural Transformation Centres, three of them in Anambra State where our farmers will be trained on how to upscale their productivity of rice,yam, cassava,maize and livestock.They will be trained on the latest techniques and technologies of how to upgrade productivity so that in our small land, we can produce more than what we need.Then, supply the Special Agro Processing Zone and then have our products exported abroad.

What are the Ministry’s plan for economic trees?

Endangered economic trees are receiving unprecedented attention,Ukwa,Oji Igbo,Akiilu,even paw paw and a number of economic trees were procured and  distributed  across the state. We are encouraging the beneficiaries to plant in clusters.We encourage people from the same kindred,same villages to locate their farms together or use their communal lands to do the planting.

A lot of questions have been asked about livestock, What is government policy on livestock production?

We do produce a large quantity of poultry.However,there is a challenge with infrastructure in their case.The veterinary clinics are dilapidated and they do not have a well equipped, functional laboratory in the state to ensure precise disease diagnosis and treatment.Often,they will have to send their samples outside the state for analysis and diagnosis.

When I came in, I asked questions and found out that the state has been pursuing an intervention project called Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Programme (L-PRES).

For that reason,the state government held back from investing in veterinary services infrastructure hoping that at the take off of L-PRES, these things will receive comprehensive attention,but as I speak to you the project is yet to take off. However, in this year’s budget Mr Governor has allowed some funding which we will use to address the most acute needs of the Veterinary Department.

SOLUDO’S EDUCATION REFORMS ELEVATE ANAMBRA PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PARENTS RETAIN CHOICE OF SCHOOLING SYSTEM

By Obiageli Nwankwo :

The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma Udeh, has reiterated that Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration has established a robust educational system for public schools in Anambra State

Speaking in her office at Ministry of Education, State Secretariat Complex, Awka, the Commissioner highlighted the government’s significant strides in upgrading public schools while affirming that the choice between public and private education lies solely with parents.  

During an interactive session with the press, Prof. Chuma Udeh emphasized that the uniqueness of the Soludo led government is that the state maintains the schools and also pays the school fees of every child in public schools

She further said that government has jurisdiction over the operations of both public and private schools, ensuring they meet the state’s high educational standards. She noted, however, that the decision on where to enroll children remains a personal prerogative for parents.  

“The Soludo administration has prioritized education, employing 8,150 teachers and implementing a free, holistic education policy from nursery to senior secondary school. This ensures that no child in Anambra is denied access to quality education,” she explained.  

Prof. Udeh further revealed plans to upgrade 21 public schools into “smart schools” under the first phase of Gov. Soludo’s education reform, with subsequent phases targeting more schools across the state.  

The Commissioner also assured parents that both public and private schools adhere to the same state-approved curriculum and are monitored through a comprehensive quality assurance mechanism. She clarified that official closing times for primary and secondary schools are 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM, respectively.  

“If parents chose to enroll their children in private lessons or extracurricular activities outside the official school hours, it is entirely their decision,” Prof. Udeh added.  

She reiterated that the Soludo-led administration is committed to fostering an inclusive, innovative, and child-focused educational environment that leaves no child behind.

*Obiageli is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

ANAMBRA COMMISSIONER FOR LANDS, PROF AMUCHEAZI ASSURES OF MORE OPTIMAL LAND SERVICE DELIVERY THIS 2025 AND BEYOND

By Gab alokwe/Josephine Okeke/Ernest Igboanugo/Oluchi Akueche :

The Commissioner for Lands, Anambra State, Prof. Offornze Amucheazi (SAN) has re-emphasized his commitment toward giving landowners and prospective landowners in the State, the best of land administration.

Prof Amucheazi made this known during a prayer session organized for staff of the Ministry, held at the Awka office of the State Ministry of Lands to officially mark the beginning of the 2025 working year.

The Commissioner said that he was working out plans to organize more training sessions for staff of the ministry in order to continually update them with professional and best attitudinal ways of carrying out their assigned jobs.

Earlier in his sermon, Ven. Arinze Egemba, who officiated the prayer session while praying for God’s guidance and protection upon staff and management of the ministry throughout the year, charged them to do their work in a way that will promote and support the administration of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo in actualizing his mission of a liveable, peaceful and prosperous homeland.

The Clergyman further prayed to God Almighty for the re-election of Gov. Soludo for giving and to continue giving the people of Anambra State the best of socio-economic and political leadership.

*The officers are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

ANAMBRA HEALTH COMMISSIONER CHAIRS HEALTH STRATEGIC MEETING WITH PARTNERS 

Chukwudi Nwauba/Azuka Nnabuife  :

The Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike has chaired a strategic health meeting with World Health Organisation (WHO), other health partners in the State focused on identifying areas for improvement, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and ensuring better service delivery to the people.

Dr. Obidike’s leadership in convening a strategic health meeting with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other health partners suggests a proactive approach to addressing the state’s health challenges.

The Commissioner addressing the participants in his office at the Jerome Udoji State Secretariat Complex, Awka, reiterated the commitment of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration in health.

“We were able to evaluate our performance in health and as well mapped out what we want to achieve this year.

“I must commend the leadership of WHO in the State, Dr. Bonos Mohammed who is the WHO State Coordinator for always providing us with technical support and financial assistance.

“Ours is to ensure that the public has access to affordable, functional and quality care across the state.

“The public are hereby advised to always reach out to the following emergency numbers for swift response, 5111 and 112.”

In attendance during the the meeting include, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. Obiageli Uchebo, WHO staffs, Dr. Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu and Mrs. Uju Onwuegbuzinam.

*Nwauba and Nnabuife are of the State Ministry of Information Anambra State


UNIZIK FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE HOSTS BOOTCAMP ON ACADEMIC WRITING AND PRESENTATION 

By Nwanodu Angela  :

The One-Day Staff Training Bootcamp on Academic Writing and Presentation, with the theme, “Publish with Confidence, Promote with Ease” organized by the Faculty of Agriculture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), brought together academics, researchers, and stakeholders to discuss how to elevate the visibility of research works through effective publishing strategies. 

Held at the UNIZIK Business School Hall, the event highlighted practical training for publishing in prestigious journals like Scopus and Clarivate and culminated in the presentation of partnership awards to organizations, including the Anambra State ICT Agency for their unwavering support.

Prof. Fredrick Odibo, representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, emphasized the importance of confidence in academic writing, urging participants to focus on producing works that solve real-world problems and evoke lasting impressions. 

The Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Comrade Tochukwu Ifejika representing the NUJ Anambra State Council Chairman, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu encouraged academics to collaborate more with the media. She underscored the need for their works to reach a wider audience through strategic communication and media engagement.

Dr. Ngozi Osuchukwu, representing Prof. Chinwe Anunobi, National Librarian and CEO of the National Library of Nigeria, highlighted the need for accessibility in academic works. She introduced participants to open access platforms, such as international repositories, Google Scholar, and even Wikipedia, as avenues to make research widely available without financial strain. 

She advocated for ethical use of AI in academic writing and stressed the value of producing research that addresses societal challenges, earns citations, and stands the test of time.

The MD/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Mr. Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata delivered a thought-provoking presentation on the agency’s role in advancing digital libraries and academic repositories. He highlighted the critical role technology plays in modernizing academia and commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for prioritizing technology under the Solution Agenda.

He emphasized the agency’s efforts to bridge the gap between research and digital infrastructure, empowering academics to publish and promote their works globally. Key initiatives include high-speed broadband, cloud-based digital libraries, and capacity-building programs. The agency’s investment in public WiFi and strategic partnerships is also creating equitable access to digital tools for researchers.

The training concluded with renewed commitments from stakeholders to collaborate in creating a robust academic environment where research is not just produced but amplified globally.

 Participants left inspired and better equipped to navigate the publishing landscape, assured of the infrastructural and institutional support provided by the Solution Administration.

* Nwanodu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

RE: OPEN LETTER TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL/COMMISSIONER FOR JUSTICE ANAMBRA STATE: A REPLY TO CHIEF NICHOLAS ORJIAKOR

Please permit me to adopt the medium that was used to reach the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Anambra state – an open letter. 

My attention has been drawn to the publication by Chief Nicholas Orjiakor, Chairman of the Anambra Indigenous Assembly (A.I.A.), New Jersey Chapter, U.S.A. The open letter was published on social media, wherein he alleged unprofessional misconduct of Justice Okaa of the Anambra State Judiciary. All the alleged complaints contained therein have been well noted; however, I regret to inform you that while I concede that Prof. Sylvia Chika Ifemeje is the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Anambra State, she is, however, not the head of the judicial arm of the government. It is therefore outside the scope of her power to initiate the investigation of the alleged acts leveled against the judicial officer in question.

Your open letter, therefore, needs to be properly routed. It ought to have been routed via the National Judicial Council (NJC), the statutory body vested with the power to investigate such allegations by the constitution.

I, however, assure you of Prof.  Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s (CFR) administration’s total commitment to justice for all, irrespective of one’s social status. Be further assured of the current administration’s zero tolerance for injustice. You are therefore advised that if your complaints are properly channelled through the National Judicial Council (NJC), they will be given the appropriate attention they deserve.

Law Mefor, PhD

Commissioner for Information

Anambra State.

OIL PALM ECONOMY: ANAMBRA OUTLINES BENEFITS, SEEKS VALUE CHAIN COLLABORATIONS

By Chukwuka Ugokwe :

Anambra State Government has reiterated its commitment to developing oil palm production as a veritable tool for improved livelihood and economic transformation of the state.

The State Commissioner For Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor, made this known while receiving a delegation from Federal Ministry of Industry,Trade and Investment, Ministry of Finance and National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPAN) in his office.

He highlighted the need for collaborations to utilize derivable benefits from the value chain to create job opportunities and for economic development.

“Our Governor understands the importance of the palm, he understands the importance of it economically and as food security item and poverty eradication. He understands how the value chain translates to stable jobs.

“He decided what to do is to support small holder farmers to strengthen their businesses and  create as it were raw material base for value chain activities.

“We have done that now for the past three years, next year will be the fourth year and we are looking forward to beginning to see the fruits of these interventions.

“We expect aggregators and primary processors to begin to emerge. We, then, need to collaborate with NPAN to organise their activities along oil palm into sustainable businesses.”

The Commissioner expressed optimism that collaborations would create more opportunities especially in the oil palm development value chain.

He reasoned that if Nigerians embraced oil palm economy, it would not only improve on their lives but become the nation’s major source of income to boost economic development.

In a remark, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka, urged the federal government delegation to always consider it proper to publicize incentives and other support services to enable stakeholders to key into them.

She called for strengthening of the Bank of Industry (BOI) to make it more responsive to its mandate, pointing out that Anambra State Small Business Agency(ASBA) had demonstrated more commitment to providing credit facilities for agriculture.

Earlier, Mr Akeju Olutayo Kehinde, Industrial Development Department, Federal Ministry of Industry,Trade and Investment, had told the Commissioner that they visited to gather information, data that could enable government to assist oil palm producers.

He added that federal government would want to know their challenges, know the aggregate demand and supply of oil palm as well as number of processing firms in the state.

Akeju, enumerated existing incentives provided by the federal government for NPAN to include, Backward Integration Program Certificate, Import Duty Exemption Certificate, Industrial Cluster Construction Support, Pioneer Status and Capital Allowance.

He stated the resolve of federal government to reposition the oil palm sector for optimal production and to help NPAN to expand their businesses.

The representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Silas Haruna Versila, Technical Services Dept, said that government provided lots of non interest loan through the Bank of Industry and zero duty oil palm machinery importation as well as implementation of financial policies that would assist producers.

Spokesman of Nigeria Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Anambra State Chapter, Mr Arthur Onweluzo, appreciated the delegation and assured of their readiness to synergise with government to promote oil palm production in the country.

*Chukwuka is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

RATTAWU MCET CHAPTER CELEBRATES END-OF-YEAR PARTY CUM SEND-OFF FOR RETIRED MEMBERS

By Ifeyinwa Ogwo :

The Radio, Television, Theatre, and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), Ministry of Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism (MCET) Chapter, held a grand End-of-Year Party during which three retired members; Mr Emma Umeokana, Mr Paulo Onyejefu, and Mrs Ebere Oboshi, were sent off and appreciated for their outstanding contributions to the union throughout their career.

At the occasion, the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, Mr Don Onyenji praised the organizing committee for the program and expressed his appreciation to the retirees for their dedication to the union during their years of service. He said, “Being part of a trade union means you are committed to addressing issues that affect workers and society.

“A union is not just about festivities; it’s a system where knowledge and technical skills are utilized to achieve desired goals. To succeed in this mission, you must be scientific in your approach, serious in your endeavours, and informed about your surroundings.

“You should also familiarize yourself with the civil service system, understand how it operates, read the public service rules and regulations, and engage with the mandate of the Governor to stay well-informed,” he emphasized.

In his remarks, the RATTAWU National Vice President for the South East, Prince Emeka Kalu, expressed gratitude to the commissioner for elevating the union during his tenure. He noted that the MCET RATTAWU Chapter is exceptional and has strong leaders who demonstrate outstanding performance.

“This chapter is doing well, and I commend your hard work. I also thank Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for his significant efforts in improving road infrastructure, hospitals, schools, and other notable projects. I urge the state Governor to consider constructing an Arts Council in Anambra State,” he appealed.

Earlier, in her welcome address, the Chairman of RATTAWU MCET Chapter, Nneka Nwaechia, thanked the Commissioner, South East RATTAWU National Vice President, and attendees for honouring the invitation. She encouraged everyone to take their jobs seriously and work hard.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of gifts to the retirees.

*Ifeyinwa is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

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