INDUSTRY COMMISSIONER GET NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIST AWARD FOR HUMANITARIAN SERVICE
By Amaka Isikala/Ebele Iyke-Odili :
Anambra State Commissioner for Industry, Mr. Christian Udechukwu has been adorned with the National Philanthropist Award for Humanitarian Service.
The Award was sponsored by the Royal Ambassadors Family Enlightenment Foundation (RAFEF) in collaboration with Green Revolution Farmers Feed the Nation Foundation (GRFFNF).
The commissioner shortly after receiving the award at REFEF’s 2024 love feast held in Awka commended the organizers for their efforts and for coming together to discuss ways of impacting on the people.
He reiterated that the Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s vision for Anambra State was to create a smart mega city where everybody would have a preferred destination to live, learn, invest, work, relax and enjoy in.
“The role of feeding the nation mirrors what the governor recently launched and termed, “Farm to Feed”, which is the governor’s response to the quality of living and high prices of goods and services as a result of inflation.
“Even if the harvest from your backyard or farm land is to feed yourself only, you would have reduced the pressure on goods in the market. If we all work to feed ourselves then the nation would have been fed.”
The commissioner noted that the government has a deliberate and purposeful policy that was designed to liverage on agriculture to deliver zero poverty in the state.
“We are handing out millions of Palm oil seeds and over 2 million was given out this year through community structure to ensure it gets to the grassroots because it’s a hybrid variety which would start yielding seeds in about 2 to 4 years.
“We are also starting a major agricultural revolution that would restore the place of palm oil in the state as a wealth creating medium to escape and end the cycle of poverty in our society which is in line with Green Revolution and the Royal Ambassadors conviction.”
He noted that the government has programmes that support cooperatives through access to finance domiciled in it’s Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASBA) and the Ministry of Industry in collaboration with the bank of Industry.
The Director General, NAFEF and GRFFNF, HRM, Mr. Jonathan Okwudili commended the state government for its numerous programmes geared towards improving the lives of the people especially the youths and women.
“I am proud to lead an organization that has been at the forefront of promoting unity, leadership and community development in Nigeria.
“We have made significant strides at empowering women and youths farming projects for sustainability and food sufficiency.
“Today our kingdom boasts of impressive membership of over 700,000 citizens representing all six geo-political zones on the 774 LGA’s and 36 states in Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.”
“We strive for efficiency, progress and agility while maintaining discretion, reflection and wisdom. Our motto is ‘speed, silence, and surprise which reflects on our core values and guiding principles.’
“We also embrace innovation, flexibility and proactively allowing us to respond swiftly to challenges, maintain confidentiality,integrity and foaster innovation and progress.We are not just visionaries, we are the architects of a brighter future.”
In an address, the Executive Secretary of RAFEF, Mrs. Roseline Chinwe Mgbejiofor said that the Royal gathering of 2024 love feast was a moment to reflect on their journey, celebrate their achievements and envision a brighter future rooted in purpose, compassion and commitment to transforming lives.
She highlighted that RAFEF is a subsidiary of Royal Ambassadorial kingdom established under the visionary leadership of the DG, born out of the kingdom’s vision for transformation and nation building and that the organization has become a beacon of hope for countless individuals and communities across Nigeria.
“Our commitment to rural development and community-driven projects have significantly improved the quality of life in remote areas by focusing on education, skills and economic empowerment. We are building a legacy of resilience and self-reliance.”
The Royal father of the day, Igwe Emeka Ilouno, Igwe of Ifitedunu commended the commissioner for his word of encouragement and appealed to the organizers to be focused and determined as they partner to alleviate the plight of the people and ensure food sufficiency.