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THEME: AGRICULTURE-A STRATEGIC PATHWAY TO YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND MITIGATION OF INSECURITY IN RURAL COMMUNITIES- A CASE STUDY OF THE MBAISE NATION:
The Mbaise Policy Roundtable (MPR) held her 2022 Annual Global Summit, on January 2, at the prestigious Chris VI Hotel at Ahiara Junction, Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria.
It attracted a cross section of the Mbaise community from across the world, including the academia, 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.
The Chairman of the summit was former Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University and a practical expert in entrepreneurship Professor Joseph Ahaneku.
Other speakers on the powerful panel were selected from seasoned experts, policy makers, government, experienced technocrats in various fields especially in agribusiness and agro related business and experts in youth development.
They include, 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, 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,
The Summit platform provided a unique opportunity, for MPR and the Mbaise Nation to exhaustively congratulate their son, His Excellency, former Governor Emeka Ihedioha, for his short but historically very productive tenure as Governor of Imo State. Thereafter, following all presentations, some critical observations were made as follows;
PREAMBLE:
WHEREAS the summit attracted representation from every facet of the Mbaise community, from across the globe, including 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.
WHEREAS the speakers were selected from seasoned experts, government, policy makers, experienced technocrats in various fields especially in agribusiness and agro related businesses as well as experts in youth development.
WHEREAS Mbaise has three local governments that have remained a land mass of about 404 Square meters since 1991, its population density of about 2,478 persons per sq. meter has outpaced that of Imo State, which is about 1400 persons per sq. meter, in 2021.
WHEREAS in addition to the dense population other factors that have impacted agriculture development in Mbaise include lack of sufficient rivers that complement agricultural production, land tenure system and fragmentation which limits access to land for agriculture, over cultivation of the available land, and high cost of labor which leads to importing labor from neighboring local governments and States.
WHEREAS existing palm trees, a major cash crop of the state are overused. and need replacement with improved varieties, also technology, training, appropriate fertilizers and soil improvement techniques, use of premium seeds for higher yield, backward integration, soil testing and land preparation could address most of the problems of agriculture existing in Mbaise and Imo State.
WHEREAS Plantation of Agricultural plants with high yield plant inputs, poultry and fish farming are profitable, the water replaced for fish provides fertile soil for farming.
WHEREAS evidence demonstrating efficacy of training is that most of over 667 youths drawn from all the political wards in Imo State trained at CSS farms in Nasarawa State on modern farm techniques, during the Ihedioha administration, are today standing on their own successfully running their agribusiness.
WHEREAS most young people have but underutilize phones, they do not make useful use of the Internet for relevant resources and information to initiate and grow agribusiness, such as Apps on Agriculture innovation like Green Apps on agribusiness and other online assets for agribusiness not necessarily on farming.
WHEREAS government support and commitment gave boost to the rice seed production business, started in Amumara during the Ihedioha administration, the rice farmers are keeping the faith and sustaining the initiative
WHEREAS Mbaise youth population is over 30%- a significant proportion of our population, the progress they make or fail to make should be of utmost concern to government and the community and of paramount importance in the nation’s development.
WHEREAS there is enthusiastic support for the acquisition of land to expand agriculture in Mbaise, following the established processes and channels for such acquisition and the establishment of the necessary structures and infrastructure for poultry, fish and other such farms that could serve as pilot projects in the local governments.
WHEREAS youths lack proper mentoring or orientation to savings, business planning, and financing for successful Agriculture entrepreneurship, making them vulnerable to rural to urban drift, engaging in crimes as well as drug (Mkpuru Mmiri) abuse.
WHEREAS there exists in Mbaise a huge unmet need for youths’ participation in Agriculture, training in modern Agriculture techniques and business and sufficient food production.
WHEREAS previous and ongoing discussions between MPR and CSS, have deliberated on all the aforementioned observations, resulting in the following understanding, that;
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 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.
AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND THE SUMMIT RESOLVED, TO;.
1. Endorse and adopt the entire outcome of the deliberations between CSS Farms and MPR (a-h), as a credible takeoff framework to begin revolutionizing and revitalizing Agriculture in Mbaise and Imo State
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 Agriculturalt projects.
3. Appoint Professor Joe Ahaneku, former Vice Chancellor, UNIZIK to lead the committee to drive the implementation of MPR 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 Agricutural resources and assets6. 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.
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.
Thank you!
Signed:Professor Eddie Oparaoji (Chairman)
Dr. Jude Iheoma (Chief Program Director)
Mr. Rowland Obom (Asst Gen Secretary)
MPR 