…Selection done objectively and professionally in line with the MORE Agenda; Says Commissioner
….Calls for massive support of the Governor and other APC Candidates
By Wilbet Ijeoma (NewsView)
The people of Obionyeonicha in Ukwuani Local Government Area, Delta State today 19th October 2026 received with great excitement the Delta-CARES/FADAMA empowerment team of the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori ably represented by the Honourable Commissioner For Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen.
The event which took place in Obionyeonicha community brought together 30 cassava and 40 poultry farmers in continuation of the D-CARES agricultural empowerment given to beneficiaries as grants to improve their means of livelihood.
The Commissioner took a sweep on criticism over the mode of selection, noting that selection was done objectively and professionally. According to him, the government has shown genuine interest in empowering the people as every Deltan has opportunity in line with the MORE Agenda of the Oborevwori-led administration.
Ekedayen, who doubles as the Chairman of D-CARES State Steering Committee, noted that the major target of the intervention is food security; to produce and supply more food to the market at lower costs and generate more money in the beneficiaries’ pockets.
According to him, 50 birds for each beneficiary is no mean deal as, if properly utilized and managed, would generate at least 1million naira on maturity, which could be ploughed into other lucrative businesses thereby expanding livelihood support.
On the prospect of the beneficiary cassava farmers, Ekedayen assured them that the cassava stems are the best breed, an improved variety which guarantees maximum yield. He advised that these high breed inputs can multiply and be shared in the community to improve crop production, and make the people more financially independent.
“17,520 beneficiaries’ have been empowered so far in this programme with 17 communities to go in the present run”; Ekedayen noted, adding that the present 70 beneficiaries adds to the number.
Ekedayen also addressed ancillary concerns bordering on electricity raised by one of the community leaders. He advised the steps to take so as to get the government’s attention, and assured that the government is committed to addressing challenges affecting communities.
He congratulated the beneficiaries on behalf of the State Governor and prayed that thousand-naires and even millionaires would be made out of this intervention.
The State Coordinator of D-CARES, Lady Dr. Patience Ogbewe, speaking during the event, noted that D-CARES primary interest is to deliver to the people what the government has provided and ensure they are utilized to make life better for the people.
According to her, D-CARES is a subset of NG-CARES; an acronym which stands for Delta Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus. She noted that D-CARES is a World Bank assisted programme, and an intentional action of the government to empower people who cannot afford to help themselves, and build resilience in beneficiaries’ and foster economic sustainability.
Speaking further, Ogbewe stated that the programme is adjudged to be successful having empowered over 17,000 beneficiary farmers across communities in Delta State and still counting. “FADAMA carries out the food security aspect of the programme by empowering people to produce and provide food through farming, while there is also cash transfer for vulnerable persons who cannot farm and for artisans like hairdressers” Ogbewe noted.
The State Coordinator stated that the D-CARES programme is holistic, and pegged the total number of beneficiaries empowered so far in Delta State at about 247,000 with that of FADAMA inclusive. According to her, about 247,000 persons who are basically parents comprise the direct beneficiaries while their children or dependents are the indirect beneficiaries extrapolated at 1.2 million persons.
Ogbewe noted that this massive and extensive programme is worthy of commendation to the Governor of Delta State and his Honourable Commissioner’ for Economic Planning, and therefore appealed to the beneficiaries to put to good use the agricultural inputs given to them as that is the yardstick to measure the impact of the intervention.
Earlier in the opening remarks, the State Project Coordinator FADAMA/Technical Head D-CARES RA2, Therese Omame thanked the 70 beneficiaries of Obionyeonicha for availing themselves of the one-in-a-time opportunity to benefit from the government. She noted that the long wait is over as D-CARES/FADAMA team is here and the same hope beacons on other neighbouring communities like Obi-Ogene that is expecting their turn.
She acknowledged that the D-CARES empowerment team in the time past had been to Owah-Abbi, Umukwata, Ezhionum and other neighbouring communities, and now Obionyeonicha which is the third community in the present run.
She congratulated the 30 cassava and 40 poultry farmers and noted that they were selected not because they were special above all but because they were lucky to be among the chosen ones, and urged them to use the seeds for their own good, that of their families and their community.
In a goodwill message, one of the community leaders High Chief Igba Utagba, on behalf of the people of Obionyeonicha, thanked the Commissioner and his team for the empowerment, while assuring his people’s support for government policies and programmes. He however requested that more empowerment opportunities be extended to the community so that more people can benefit.
“One good turn deserves another”; the Commissioner’ concluded, as he urged the beneficiaries’ and in general the good people of Obionyeonicha to be responsible enough and 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, some of the beneficiaries were full of praises for the empowerment and thanked the Governor of Delta State for his kind gesture. Simon Uti, one of the beneficiary poultry farmers, expressed great delight over the empowerment, noting that although some persons were skeptical about the programme, today’s empowerment has proven that the government is both responsible and responsive. According to him, the selection process was fair as adequate publicity was made for people to be enlisted.
To conclude the business of the day, the Commissioner led the presentation of the inputs to the beneficiaries, and charged them to put the seeds to.good use. Mr Chika Appeal representing Ngozi Cassava Farmers, Mrs Henrietta Ekeruche representing Godstime Poultry Farmers, New Onicha Poultry Farmers and Bridget Ugbe representing Otu Ofu Obi Cassava Farmers took turns to receive their respective inputs 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, PRO of the Ministry of Economic Planning Mrs Ese Obote, the HOD of Agriculture, Ukwuani Local Government Council, Chief Roland Eke, representing the Council Chairman, Barr Possible Ajede Ph, community leadership represented by High Chiefs Isaac Odika and Igba Utagba 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.
