Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria, January 25, 2022: The Mbaise Policy Roundtable (MPR), a non-governmental organization with offices in Owerri Imo State, Nigeria and New York USA, following her recently held 2022 Annual Global Summit, at the very prestigious Chris VI Hotel at Ahiara, Mbaise, appointed former Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University and a practical expert in entrepreneurship Professor Joseph Ahaneku, to lead its implementation team to actualize the bold Agriculture agenda proposed at the summit.
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.” In accepting the very huge undertaking Professor Ahaneku said, “I have read the well-articulated Communique of the last MPR Global summit. In respect of the resolution item 3, I accept to play the role assigned to me as service to Mbaise teeming youths and Mbaiseland in general as a primary priority”
According to the communique, 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 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.
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 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.
Reacting to the outcome of the summit and the appointment of Professor Ahaneku, the CSS Group- arguably the largest mechanized farm in Africa said, “We look forward to discussing with vice chancellor Ahaneku & indeed MPR to streamline implementation items raised and milestones/ timeable,as well as MPR commitment. Congratulations once again sir on successful nzuko”
Commenting on the developments, the Chairman of MPR Professor Eddie Oparaoji said, “we are excited and ready, we have among the best minds and hardworking citizens in the world to pull us through this endeavor, and the cards appear aligned in our favor, we must not fail.”
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.
MPR 