By Wilbet Ijeoma
The Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has supported 70 farmers with agricultural inputs such as improved cassava stem and maize seeds, day-old chicks, fingerlings, bags of feeds and fertilizers amongst others, in continuation of the DELTA-CARES programme Result Area 2 and the disbursement of agricultural inputs being implemented by FADAMA delivery platform.
The Governor gave this support on 28th October 2026 at Ugboba Community hall in Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State to beneficiaries comprising 30 poultry farmers, 10 cassava farmers, 10 maize farmers, 10 tomato farmers and 10 fish farmers, and urged them to utilize the inputs for maximum benefit from the programme.
The Governor who spoke through the Honourable Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, congratulated the beneficiaries for availing themselves of the empowerment opportunity which he described as an intentional move by the State Government to support communities in Delta State.
Ekedayen, who was represented by his Special Assistant Mr. Charles Iyoha, noted that the day’s event represents government’s unwavering commitment to extending benefits to more communities and ensuring that eligible beneficiaries’ receive the needed support to improve their agricultural activities.
Ekedayen, who is also the Chairman of D-CARES State Steering Committee, noted that Ugboba is the 6th community in the present run with 770 farmers supported so far in Aniocha North LGA, and the present 70 beneficiaries’ increase the tally to 840 farmers, with the state tally now at 17,800 across the 25 LGAs. This he said represents a significant reach and demonstrates the importance of sustained intervention like the D-CARES programme on livelihood and economic recovery.
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While urging the beneficiaries’ to utilize the Inputs effectively to uplift their families and community, Ekedayen encouraged relevant stakeholders and the programme implementers to continue to work in an accountable, orderly and transparent manner so as to ensure that the expected outcome of the programme is achieved.
The Commissioner did not hesitate in thanking the Governor for his unflinching commitment to the MORE Agenda and creating opportunities for all irrespective of status, tribe, religion and location. He therefore urged the beneficiaries’ to support the continuity of the MORE Agenda by voting for the Governor and all APC candidates in the forthcoming coming general elections.
The State Coordinator of D-CARES, Lady Dr. Patience Ogbewe, speaking during the event, reiterated that D-CARES is part of the national intervention by the NG-CARES programme supported by the world bank. According to her, D-CARES is RA2 which centers on food security, making food not only available but affordable with high quality or nutritional value.
Ogbewe underscored the importance of food quality, noting that FADAMA adopted best international practices in agricultural intervention by presenting improved cassava stem rich in micro-minerals with high nutritional value. She justified the balance in food nutrition with a combination of cassava, maize, poultry and fish in FADAMA deliveries.
“You must count yourself lucky for being a partaker of this intervention;” Ogbewe stated, noting that more than 17,600 farmers have been supported so far in the programme which is in the 5th tranche of implementation. She assured the people that more farmers with vested interest may be considered in time to come.
She thanked the Governor for his kind gesture to the people of Ugboba, while reminding the beneficiaries that to whom much is given much is expected, urging them’ to use the opportunity wisely and divest in other profitable ventures.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the State Project Coordinator FADAMA/Technical Head D-CARES RA2, Therese Omame congratulated the beneficiaries while assuring them that distance is not a barrier as the government can reach a people no matter the distance.
She noted that the FADAMA team has reached 11 communities so far in Aniocha North LGA which includes Okwunzu, Ezi, Onicha-Olona, Ubulubu and other neighboring communities, with Ugboba taking the tally to 12 communities.
According to her, the journey which started few months ago with some people in doubt has materialized, indicating it was the turn of the Ugboba community to benefit from the programme.
Community leader Chief Otobo Ofili, Hon. Dr. Awunor Alexander, and the representative of the Chairman, Aniocha North LGA, Hon. Ndubisi Osemene, gave their goodwill messages, describing the intervention as massive while thanking the Governor for remembering their people and soliciting the support of their people for the MORE Agenda of the Governor in return. The community leader expressed hope that more of this type of empowerment would come as they urged the beneficiaries to be magnanimous and productive.
One of the beneficiaries, Judith Isioma Onyeajuwa, and a member of Ugboba community spoke to journalists, commending the Governor for his kind gesture being the first time she’s benefiting from government empowerment. She acknowledged that other surrounding communities have benefited from the programme but the day’s event was a dream come true, as some persons were skeptical earlier during community sensitization. Another beneficiary, Olapade Faith Ifeoma corroborated the fact that there were earlier doubts about the programme as this wasn’t the first time they were told about empowerment, but admitted that the present government has dismissed their doubts. The beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Governor and promised to support his reelection bid to continue the good works he has started,
The Commissioner represented by his Special Assistant led the presentation of the agric inputs and inputs vouchers to the beneficiaries, and charged them to put the inputs to.good use.
The beneficiary groups include Precious Maize Farmers, Marvelous Poultry Farmers, Okwukwe Poultry Farmers, Winners Fish Farmers, Amazing Poultry Farmers, Peace Tomato Farmers and Gold Cassava Farmers
Also present in the event were Head of Operations D-CARES Coordinating Unit Mr. Christopher Oyenike, FADAMA Desk Officer for Aniocha North Mr Ojomu Jonathan, as well as staff of the D-CARES office..
