Commissioner Calls for massive support of the Governor and other APC Candidates in return
Beneficiaries proud contributors to socioeconomic growth of the state – Coordinator
By Wilbet Ijeoma (NewsView)
The people of Owerre-Olubor in Ika North-East Local Government Area, Delta State have received with great excitement the Delta-CARES/FADAMA programme team of the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori ably represented by the Honourable Commissioner For Economic Planning, Hon. Sonny Ekedayen.
The event, held on 26th October 2026 at St Barnabas Anglican Church hall Owerre-Olubor, brought together 70 beneficiaries’ comprising 50 maize and 20 poultry farmers to be supported, marking a significant turn in the farming activities and economic fortune of the beneficiaries.
Ekedayen, who doubles as the Chairman of D-CARES State Steering Committee, on behalf of the Governor congratulated the beneficiaries’ while charging them to grab this opportunity with both hands and utilize it to help themselves, their families and members of the community.
According to him, D-CARES is a World Bank initiative under the Federal Government NG-CARES framework facilitated by Delta State Government, while FADAMA’s role is to identify proper farmers from field data collected.
He noted that Owerre-Olubor is the 14th community to be reached in Ika North-East LGA, with 50 maize and 20 poultry farmers to be empowered bringing the tally to 930 beneficiary farmers so far in the LGA.
Ekedayen emphasized that poultry yields would uplift the financial status of the farmers when the chickens mature especially during the Xmas period, while maize produces are viable with higher returns in recent times. “The State Government’s objective of the intervention is to move you from your present level to a higher level of economic sustainability;” he noted.
The Commissioner gave beneficiaries’ helpful tips on maximizing the benefits of the support, urging them to divest revenue generated from the farm into other lucrative businesses, and create multiple streams of income.
The State Coordinator of D-CARES, Lady Dr. Patience Ogbewe, speaking during the event, expressed delight over the joy on the faces of the beneficiary farmers, describing the empowerment as light that has come inside darkness.
According to her, the people of Owerre-Olubor were receptive during the first visit, and having established a good reception is one step towards the success of the programme.
On the implementation of D-CARES programme, Ogbewe noted that FADAMA is Result Area 2 which is a key delivery platform that ensures increase in yield for farmers and food security in Delta State.
Despite the beneficiaries’ being traditional farmers, Ogbewe underscored the importance of keying into FADAMA which offers a holistic approach of agricultural intervention that supervises farmers from input to consumption.
“FADAMA will not leave you alone;” Ogbewe assured, adding that the institution will always bring their expertise to monitor the progress made by beneficiary farmers.
Speaking further, the State Coordinator described the beneficiaries as proud contributors to the socioeconomic growth of the state, noting that agriculture contributes about 23-26% to Nigeria’s GDP, and 13.2% to that of Delta State.
She thanked the Governor for the empowerment, while charging the beneficiary farmers to be hardworking and utilize the inputs for maximum yield.
Earlier in the opening remarks, the State Project Coordinator FADAMA/Technical Head D-CARES RA2, Therese Omame congratulated the beneficiary farmers who were full of joy as intended by the programme. She acknowledged that FADAMA has reached a number of communities in Ika North-East LGA which includes Igbodo, Ekwuoma, Owa-Alero, Ute-Erumu and other neighbouring communities with verifiable footprints.
She recalled that the people of Owerre-Olubor were skeptical when FADAMA came for community sensitization, but the day’s event now serves as a testimony that government truly works.
In a goodwill message, the Deputy President-General of the community Mr Elumeze Augustine thanked the Delta State Governor and FADAMA team for the empowerment and wished the government continues and extends the support to others. While acknowledging the earlier presence of FADAMA in Owerre-Olubor community, Elumeze noted that the present empowerment is a testimony to the sincerity of the government to empower the people. He therefore assured that the people of Owerre-Olubor will massively support the Governor for his kind gesture
“One good turn deserves another”; the Commissioner’ concluded, as he urged the beneficiaries’ and in general the good people of Owerre-Olubor to reciprocate the kind gesture of the Governor by voting for him, Mr President and all APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections.
Responding to journalists, Apostle Goodness George Omaka who was one of the beneficiary farmers acknowledged the day as a day of fulfillment and accomplishment of expectations, as the government has remembered the people of Owerre-Olubor to uplift their means of livelihood. He confirmed there were earlier doubts about the programme, but expressed gratitude for the long wait that has eventually paid off.
The Commissioner led the presentation of the inputs to the beneficiaries, and charged them to put the seeds to.good use. The various groups includes Ohumachukwu Maize Farmers, Onyedika Maize Farmers, Uzochikwa Maize Farmers, Winners Maize Farmers, Onuwa Maize Farmers, Chidima Poultry Farmers and Grassroot Poultry Farmers.
Also present in the event were Head of Operations D-CARES Coordinating Unit Mr. Christopher Oyenike, PRO of the Ministry of Economic Planning Mrs Ese Obote, community leadership represented by the Deputy President-General Mr Elumeze Augustine as well as staff of the D-CARES office.
Highpoints of the event were opening remarks, State Coordinator’s and Commissioner’s addresses, presentation of inputs vouchers and the agric inputs to beneficiaries, presentation of kolanuts from the community, press interview and group photograph.
