MBAISE NATION PROPOSE EXPANSIVE AGRICULTURAL REFORMS, EXTOLS EMEKA IHEDIOHA FOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN AGRICULTURE AS GOVERNOR OF IMO STATE
Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria, January 23, 2022: The Mbaise Policy Roundtable (MPR), a non-governmental organization with offices in Owerri Imo State, Nigeria and New York USA, recently held her 2022 Annual Global Summit, at the very prestigious Chris VI Hotel at Ahiara, Mbaise. The theme of the summit was “Agriculture- A Strategic Pathways to Youth Empowerment and Mitigation of Insecurity in Rural Communities- A Case Study of the Mbaise Nation.”
According to MPR, The Summit platform provided a unique opportunity, for MPR and the Mbaise Nation to exhaustively congratulate their son, His Excellency, former Governor Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, for his short but historically very productive tenure as Governor of Imo State.
Elaborating on the issue, the Chairman of MPR Professor Eddie Oparaoji, said, “we believe we have not had such a powerful representation of a cross section of Mbaise citizens from every facet, from across the globe, gathered in one place, since his despicable removal from office. You would observe we have here the number one Mbaise citizen, President General of Ezuruezu Mbaise Barr Cyril Anyanwu accompanied by a housed populated by academics, politicians, religious, traditional rulers and institutions, community leaders, civil servants, technocrats, students, the youth, farmers, parents, and especially those involved and interested in agriculture and agribusiness.
We therefore find this the most auspicious venue to strongly commend the former Imo State Governor, His Excellency, Governor Emeka Ihedioha, for his bold vision and commitment to revamp and prioritize Agriculture in Imo State, during his short-lived tenure. This was exemplified, among many others, by the thriving Amumara Mbaise rice project. and the success of most of the over 667 youths from across Imo State, trained at CSS farms in Nasarawa State, on modern farm techniques, running their agribusinesses today.
We are also proud to state that the CSS Farm is about the largest mechanize farm in Africa and it’s founded by Professor John Kennedy, an Mbaise son.”
In response to a question, the MPR Chief Program Director Dr Jude Iheoma, said “we are certainly partnering with the current administration at the local government level and looking forward to collaborating with them at the State level. Although late, we did invite them to be here.” According to the communique issued, the summit resolved as follows, To;
1. Endorse and adopt the entire outcome of the deliberations between CSS Farms and MPR, as a credible takeoff framework to begin revolutionizing and revitalizing Agriculture in Mbaise and Imo State, and they include:
a. CSS will admit 50 qualified Mbaise candidates to be trained at its International Skills Acquisition Center (ISAC), at the rate of approximately N300K per student. CSS will sponsor 20 of the 50 candidates while the rest will need other sources of sponsorship/funding.
b. CSS should establish a customized Agriculture training center/institute in Mbaise.
c. CSS should keep MPR in the loop as stakeholder in their plan to establish Yegates University which aims to be the second private University of Agriculture in Nigeria.
d. CSS should support the establishment of the Youth Agriculture Small Business Incubation Pilot. CSS should establish a Food Reserve Center/Warehouse/distribution infrastructure in Mbaise.
d. CSS should support the establishment of the Youth Agriculture Small Business Incubation Pilote. CSS should establish a Food Reserve Center/ Warehouse distribution infrastructure in Mbaise.
e. CSS should establish a Food Reserve Center/Warehouse/distribution infrastructure in Mbaise.
f. CSS should strengthen MPR for Ndi Mbaise and add it as outlet for CSS Social Responsibility.
g. CSS should invest in and drive palm produce, fish and poultry farming in Mbaise to State/Regional Dominance
h. CSS should sponsor an MPR Agriculture Scholarships Fund.
2. Propose the establishment of a high-powered result-oriented Implementation committee/Task-force to liaise with all key stakeholders to ensure timely and durable completion of agreed and/or emerging viable Agricultural projects.
3. Appoint Professor Joe Ahaneku, former Vice Chancellor, UNIZIK to lead an implementation committee to drive the implementation of the envisioned Agriculture initiatives.
4. Partner with government to provide resources for mentorship, counseling, and coaching, as well as engage the youths in advocacy, leadership training, community service programs, and to foster the right values and attitudes among our youths
5. Develop a central database of our Mbaise Agriculture/Agribusinesses and professionals, to enable us be aware of and account for all our Agricultural resources and assets
6. Strongly commend former Imo State Governor, His Excellency, Governor Emeka Ihedioha, for his bold vision and commitment to revamp and prioritize Agriculture in Imo State, during his short-lived tenure, exemplified, among many others, by the thriving Amumara Mbaise rice project. and the success of most of the over 667 youths trained at CSS farms in Nasarawa State, on modern farm techniques, running their agribusinesses today.
The summit star studded panel of speakers include, the former Governor of Imo State and Special Guest of Honor His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sir, Emeka Nkem Ihedioha, former 2-times Nigeria’s Minister- for Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Education Her Excellency Noble Lady Professor Viola Onwuliri, former Vice Chancellor Nnamdi Azikiwe University Professor Joe Ahaneku, foremost athlete, Olympic Gold medalist and Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Chioma Ajunwa-Opara, the Keynote Speaker Pioneer Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (The Presidency) and founder of CSS Group of Companies and farms arguably the largest farm and agribusiness in Africa Professor John Kennedy Opara, former Permanent Secretary
and President General , Ezurezu Mbaise Barr. Cyril Anyanwu, foremost professor of Philosophy and Founder/President of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) Professor Tim Uzodimma Nwala, Head of Department for Agriculture Ahiazu Local Government Area Mr Patrick Iroh, Imo State National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Assistant Commandant Mrs Margaret Nwoko, Coordinator MPR Campaign Against Drug Abuse (MCADA) Mr Kennedy Onwunali, MPR Chief Program Director Dr Jude Iheoma and MPR Chairman Professor Eddie Oparaoji
Other notable personalities in attendance were HRH Eze Sabi Nwaneche of Ogwuama, HRH Eze, Ambassador E. D. G Nwaogu of Owutu, owner of Chris VI Hotel Sir Sebastian Ekeanyanwu, Hon member representing Ahiazu LGA at the Imo House of Assembly Sam Otuibe, MPR Vice Chairman Dr Law Osondu, Professor JUJ Onwumere, AIG Charles Ugomuoh ret, Sir Desmond Obani, Mr Rowland Obom, Mrs Akwaugo Rowland Obom, Hon Hillary Okereafor, Hon Gabriel Unanka, Ishi Nze Barrt Placidus Dioka, Sir Nick Nwuda, Dr Chika Okoro, Dr Sonny Ogulewe, Mr Chinemerem Madu, Mr Chibuike Onyeukwu, Mr and Dr Mrs Amby Uneze, Engr George & Dr Mrs Ngozi Nwigwe, Dim Emeka Obasi, Dr Mrs Ndidi Oparaoji, Dr Mrs Esochi Iheoma, Dr Mrs Ezinne Nwamara, Hon Chris Uche Agomuo, Hon Vitalis Nwaodu, Dim Obasianahuanya, Senior Apostle Francis Ajeroh, Chief Austin Onwubiko, Rev Fr Pius Anyanwu, Hon Mrs Uchechi Ogbonna, Chief Joe Kemdirim, Chief B.C. Nwachukwu, Hon Marcel Okoro, Ms Perpetua Ogokeh, Ms Angel Obani, Dr Camillus Dike and Mr Orluchukwu Nwachukwu, the President General of Owutu Community.
MPR, is the premier pre-eminent Mbaise Public Policy and Business Advisory Council in the World focused entirely on the development of Mbaise and Imo State, through the facilitation of financial and in-kind resources, private investments and private public partnerships
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