*Programme addressing one of the primordial needs of man which is food security – Commissioner; calls for support of the Governor’s reelection and all APC candidates*
*Claim ownership of the inputs, create a value chain, build networks with other farmers for sustainable development – Coordinator tells beneficiaries*
By Wilbet Ijeoma (NewsView)
The Onu of Ebu, Onu Umukorjordu, HRM Paul Odilile Opili has prevailed on his people who received with great excitement the D-CARES/FADAMA empowerment team of the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, over the empowerment of 70 farmers with input vouchers and agric inputs such as improved varieties of cassava stems, day old chicks, fingerlings, feeds, fertilizers amongst others.
The event which took place on 2nd November 2026 at Ebu Youth Centre, Oshimili North Local Government Area, Delta State, came after a four -year period of rejection and apathy for the programme which took the intervention of the king to bring the programme to a reality.
The Honourable Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Sonny Ekedayen, who represented the Governor, was quick to appreciate his boss for reaching as many Deltans as possible in line with the MORE Agenda amongst which is opportunity for all, while congratulating the Ebu people for their comportment, serenity and cleanliness.
Ekedayen, who is also the Chairman of the State Steering Committee of D-CARES, stated that the ongoing intervention seeks to address food security, independence, economic sustainability and growth, adding that it is to empower the people and make them self-sufficient.
The Commissioner pointed out the primordial needs of human beings which are food, clothing and shelter, and noted that the empowerment addresses the food aspect of it.
He charged the beneficiaries comprising 40 poultry, 20 cassava and 10 fish farmers to utilize the farm inputs judiciously to improve their living condition and attain a certain level of economic sustainability.
Speaking further, Ekedayen assured the beneficiaries that with the improved cassava, poultry and fish varieties, they are sure of higher returns, which according to him, will translate to increased yields, increased food in circulation at lower prices and consequently food security.
“We rise by lifting others;” Ekedayen remarked, urging beneficiaries to share with other community members to make these improved varieties circulate in Ebu community.
The State Coordinator of D-CARES, Lady Dr. Patience Ogbewe, speaking during the event, thanked the Governor and the Commissioner for coming up with this intervention, while congratulating the beneficiaries for being part of this sustainable development programme, which according to her, is socioeconomic growth anchored on the FADAMA delivery platform.
Mama-Cares, as she’s fondly called, underscored the three pillars of sustainable development which includes accountability, ownership and sustainability, adding that beneficiaries should be accountable for the inputs given to them to better their lives, claim ownership of the deliveries and protect them, think out of the box, be innovative by creating a value chain for the produce, and build network with other farmers doing similar businesses.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the State Project Coordinator FADAMA/Technical Head D-CARES RA2, Therese Omame did not hesitate in hailing the Governor for putting this programme in place, and commended Ebu beneficiaries for being patient despite earlier apathy.
According to her, four years ago when FADAMA team came for sensitization, Ebu people rejected the programme, preferring the social structure service component of the D-CARES programme (a town hall) over the economic and food security component of FADAMA. She added that it was after the intervention of the king that an expression of Interest was resubmitted, and that was how the day’s event came to a reality.
She praised the resilience of Ebu leadership in making sure the support got to their people, adding that no matter how difficult a terrain is like Ebu, the government would still reach the people.
In his goodwill message, the Onu of Ebu, Onu Umukorjordu HRM Paul Opili, represented by Akpeli (Chief) Keshi Iwute welcomed the Commissioner and his retinues for making the programme a reality, and also the Governor for remembering Ebu people. Though he admitted the initial skepticism by his people, he testified that the day’s event showed the government really cares.
The traditional ruler however called for intervention on the deplorable roads in Ebu and assured the Governor that Ebu people will not disappoint him in the forthcoming general elections.
“One good turn deserves another”; the Commissioner’ concluded, as he urged the beneficiaries’ and in general the good people of Ebu to reciprocate the kind gesture of the Governor by voting for him, Mr President and all APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections.
In his vote of thanks, Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Uche Egbuche who is also an indigene of Ebu community thanked His Excellency for extending support to his people, and hopeful his people will utilize the inputs effectively. He admitted the initial rejection of the programme by his people which took the intervention of the king to see that the programme came to a limelight. He assured the Governor of his people’s massive support for all APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections.
Responding to journalists, Mrs Theresa Nwajei, one of the beneficiaries, was full of praises to the Governor for remembering Ebu people, admitting this as her first time of receiving government empowerment. On how she heard about the programme, Mrs Nwajei noted that the King mandated a town crier to announce it and some of them responded while others were indifferent. She confirmed that most of them left during sensitization but thanked God for being patient to benefit from the programme. Akpeli (Chief) Keshi Iwute who was the representative of the Onu of Ebu also confirmed to journalists that it took the Onu’s intervention to ensure that the empowerment got to his people after initial display of apathy, and thanked the Governor for being patient with the Ebu people. He also congratulated the beneficiaries for being patient to receive the gesture. On the level of satisfaction derived from the intervention, the Ebu king made a passionate appeal to the Governor over the deplorable condition of their roads and called for future interventions in addition to the present empowerment.
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 Ebu Aqua Farmers GRP represented by Banido Ugbodu, Edoja Poultry Farmers represented by Mrs Theresa Nwajei, Edokirane Poultry Farmers, The Light Poultry Farmers represented by Okolo Isaiah Kema, Ejor Ateshi Poultry Farmers, Ebojor Cassava Farmers represented by Mrs Erojie Juliana, and Odogwa Cassava Farmers. Beneficiaries’ took turn to appreciate the Governor for his kind gesture while expressing delight over the employment, assuring the government of their support for his MORE Agenda.
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, SA to the Commissioner for Economic Planning Mr Charles Iyoha, SA to the Commissioner for Agriculture Mr Iche Egbuche, the Onu of Ebu kingdom represented by Akpeli (Chief) Keshi Iwute as well as staff of the D-CARES office.
Highpoints of the event were welcome remarks, State Coordinator’s and Commissioner’s addresses, presentation of inputs vouchers and the agric inputs to beneficiaries, press interview and group photograph.
