Governor’s MORE Agenda Entitles Every Community No Matter The Location – Commissioner
Empowerment in tandem with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1, – says Coordinator
By Wilbet Ijeoma (NewsView)
The sounds of singing and celebration echoed through Okolovu community in Okpe Local Government Area, Delta State as the D-CARES/FADAMA team led by the Honourable Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Sonny Ekedayen, empowers 70 farmers with agricultural inputs in the ongoing social intervention programme of the Delta State Government in collaboration with the Federal Government and World Bank.
The event which took place on 24th October 2026 brought together beneficiaries comprising 30 poultry farmers, 20 pumpkin farmers, 10 pepper farmers and 10 fish farmers drawn evenly from across the community, marking a historic turning point of the economic fortunes of the people.
The Commissioner who spoke in the voice of the Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, congratulated the beneficiaries, while urging them to make the best use of this opportunity to improve their means of livelihood.
Ekedayen, who doubles as the Chairman of D-CARES State Steering Committee, noted that the government is very intentional in empowering the people. “Sometimes the government would give cash empowerment which is not sustainable but this one is what would bring food to your table and put money in your pockets at all times;” the Commissioner stated.
Speaking further, Ekedayen expressed confidence that these agricultural inputs when judiciously utilized would grow the local economy. According to him, poultry farmers especially stand the chance of becoming millionaires when they sell each chicken, say N25,000, on maturity, having been empowered with 50 birds and 7bags of feeds per beneficiary. This he deemed feasible considering the popular demand of protein, especially chicken and fish during the yuletide season.
. He urged them to extend the Governor’s gesture by sharing with other members of Okolovu community.
The State Coordinator of D-CARES, Lady Dr. Patience Ogbewe, fondly called “Mama-Cares” informed beneficiaries of the essence of the empowerment which was to strengthen the hands of farmers, boost their farms for surplus food, more money, good nutrition and better life. “This is in tandem with the Sustainable Development Goal SDG 1 which is “No poverty”” Ogbewe stated.
She therefore thanked the Governor who made the empowerment possible in line with his MORE Agenda and also the Commissioner for Economic Planning for standing with FADAMA everywhere they go and at all times.
Earlier in the opening remarks, the State Project Coordinator FADAMA/Technical Head D-CARES RA2, Therese Omame congratulated the joyful beneficiaries of Okolovu community while acknowledging that 14 communities so far have been reached in Okpe LGA which includes Amua-idiemo, Okuovo and Osubi amongst others. She expressed joy in this first-time empowerment for Okolovu community believing that the Governor’s “Ukodo” has eventually reached the good people of Okolovu.
Hon. Ileleji Wilfred, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Matters, congratulated the beneficiaries, while thanking the Commissioner for leading his team for this empowerment. The SSA was full of praises to the Governor for reaching out to his people and assured massive support for the Governor and all APC candidates come 2027 general elections.
In a goodwill message, Comrade John Akareko commended the Governor of Delta State Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori for this one of its kind empowerment. According to him, this is the first time empowerment is materializing in Okolovu community. He also thanked the Commissioner, the Coordinator and their retinues for carrying out the empowerment effectively as assigned by the Governor, while assuring them of his people’s support for the governor’s reelection.
“One good turn deserves another”; the Commissioner’ concluded, as he charged the beneficiaries’ and in general the good people of Okolovu community to reciprocate the kind gesture of the Governor by voting for him, Mr President and all APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections.
Some beneficiaries who spoke to journalists admitted that D-CARES empowerment is the first of its kind in Okolovu community, and thanked the Governor for remembering them while assuring their total support for his reelection bid.
The Commissioner led the presentation of the inputs to the beneficiaries, and charged them to put the seeds to.good use. 50 birds and 7bags of feeds were given to each poultry farmer, 50 fingerlings and 7bags of feeds to each fishery farmer, and bags of highbreed pepper and pumpkin seeds with bags of fertilizer and 15bags of organic manure to each vegetable farmer.
Comrade John Akareko representing Omorhode Fish Farmers, Princess Happy Eda representing Eda Pumpkin Vegetable Farmers, Felix Oromayire representing Okayogbane Poultry Farmers, and Monday Adivore representing Progress Pepper Farmers, took turns to receive their respective inputs on behalf of their groups while assuring the judicious use of the inputs to uplift themselves and their families.
Beneficiaries further extolled the Governor for his care and assured their full support for his reelection bid.
Also present in the event were Head of Operations D-CARES Coordinating Unit Mr. Christopher Oyenike, SSA to the Governor on Political Matters, Hon Ileleji Wilfred, the Head of Okolovu community Pa Peter Akporo Okegbe, Community Chairman Noah Akareko, Inspector Adivore, 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.
