In just five (5) months, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru injected Six Hundred Million Naira (N600,000,000.00) into various agribusiness creativities in Ebonyi State. Two groups of trainees were sent to Masters Skills Training Centre, Agbani Enugu State, to learn the production, processing and distribution of food and other agricultural products in two successions. The training includes farming, processing plants, distribution chain, knowledge and use of equipment.

In early October 2024, the Governor dispatched the first empowerment fund to the trainees, having successfully completed the programme. Each of them was empowered with three million naira (N3,000,000.00) only, to fan into reality, all they learnt at the training centre by setting up their farms. Just last week, following the approval of the State Executive Council on February 7, 2025, the Governor repeated the same for the graduates of the second batch.

Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has never been shy about his admiration for the potential inherent in the Agricultural sector. It is third on the People’s Charter of Needs log, with emphasis on PRACTICAL FARMING. On the same front, he has resurrected Ebonyi State Hatchery, Nkaliki where productivity has surged upwardly. The hatchery now sells eggs and chickens at affordable rates. The feed mill under construction at the hatchery is another glory waiting to unravel. Additionally, the hatchery has employed workers, thereby creating jobs. In truth, it is back to life! I will not skip the 15 brand-new tractors procured by the Governor for the ministry and many more.

Akin to a tree with fruitful branches, Governor Francis Nwifuru is harnessing the many parts embedded in the agricultural sector. He has seen the need to encourage agricultural skill development—a multi-barrelled achievement for agricultural productivity, human capital development, economic growth, and so on. These are some vital strokes that encourage solid foundations for the development of people and society.

The State Ministry of Human Capital Development is responsible for monitoring these beneficiaries. They visit their farms and assess the proceeds of their ventures to ensure judicious and purposeful use of the funds. There could be little or no other way to productively develop the people other than through purposeful training, empowerment and monitoring for the best results. In this way, you not only build an individual but, by extension, the entire society.

Meeting the people’s needs is the focus of this administration.

( Leo Ekene Oketa is the Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media)