LIFE-ND MID-TERM REVIEW: NDDC SET TO PAY COUNTERPART FUND

 

By Dr Helen Chimezie


The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has assured the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises- Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) stakeholders, of its commitment to pay the first phase of their counterpart funding for the project as promised.


The commission gave this assurance during the mid-term review of the LIFE-ND project recently held in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. Speaking at the event, the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries of the commission, Mr Kelechi Nwelue thanked the LIFE-ND team for the wonderful performance recorded so far, and wished them well, while hoping that at the end of the first phase of the project which will end in 2025, they would have recorded tremendous results as expected.


He further said that his management has made the commitment to ensure that they meet their own part of the agreement, so as to ensure the success of the project.


Earlier speaking, the Country Director of the International Funds for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Dede Ekoue in her opening remarks at the event said “The mid-term review is an opportunity to access the progress that were made by the project, to identify the additional opportunities for improvements, and to draw the pathways to achieving higher performance.


“LIFE-ND is a project that we can call a flagship programme. This programme is helping atleast 14,000 youths set up their businesses through an incubation model that is based on having someone who has done it, someone who knows how to do it successfully, coach a young person committed to tapping into the agriculture potential, to set up his own income opportunity and to create also an opportunity for employment of other youths. So, the youths we have for this programme are selected because of this strong potential of entrepreneurship, the catenation to tap into the agriculture economic potential in respect to their environment, and ensuring also that we boost the food security of Niger Delta, and the country in general.”


She thanked the incubators that are coaching and strengthening the capacities of the incubatees for their leadership and commitment to boosting rural economic development and youth entrepreneurship while adding that the federal government in Nigeria is committed to supporting the youth in the Niger Delta and leverage on the youth potential to boost agriculture production and transformation.


Also speaking at the event, the Director of the Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Kush Peter Kukwi lauded the National Coordinator of the LIFE-ND project and his team for the achievements recorded so far in the project, while commending Aboh community in Delta State for taking ownership of the project.


He however noted that the government is not happy with the way the communities are presently, and he emphasized the importance of individuals improving their economy, so as to boost the national economy. 


On the issue of the funding challenge of the LIFE-ND project, Dr Kukwi told journalists that they are still looking at individuals and micro finance institutions that can support the project because agriculture has a lot of risk involved.


Ruth Ayebatari Forcebray, a beneficiary of the project in Bayelsa State also lauded the project for giving her the opportunity to be self-reliant and an employer of labour.  She said the project has equipped her with a vast knowledge that affords her the opportunity to diversify. She further expresses delight that someday she will be an incubator, considering the incubation model of the LIFE-ND project.  


LIFE-ND is a Federal Government initiation, in partnership with International Funds for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the nine Niger Delta state governments, although currently being implemented in six Niger Delta states (Abia, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, Edo and Ondo) partly due to the delayed release of NDDC counterpart fund. The project is focused on developing the Agricultural sector of the economy to reduce youth unemployment.


Ends/







Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

LAND GRABBER ARRESTED IN PORT HARCOURT OVER PROPERTY VANDALISM AND FRAUDULENT SALES

Image
  By Dr Helen Chimezie Tensions flared in the Rumuosi, Ohia-Egbelu axis of Airport Road, Port Harcourt, following the arrest of a suspected land grabber, Mr. Colonel Ogwumerum Eke, who has allegedly been involved in a series of unlawful property invasions and fraudulent land sales.   According to reports, Mr. Eke was taken into custody yesterday after multiple complaints by original property owners accused him of repeatedly destroying perimeter fences and other structures in the area.   His actions, witnesses say, were part of a coordinated attempt to resell the lands to unsuspecting members of the public, despite clear evidence of prior ownership.   The alleged criminal activity has left a trail of financial losses and heightened tension in the affected community, with many residents expressing frustration over the slow pace of legal intervention in the past.   Mr. Eke is expected to appear before the Port Harcourt Magistrate Court by 10:00 a....
Read more

APPPMON LAUNCHES ABOKI AS NIGERIA’S BOLD ANSWER TO FAILED PROJECTS

Image
  By Dr Helen Chimezie  In a significant step toward addressing Nigeria’s long-standing challenge of failed and abandoned projects, the Association of Professional Practising Project Managers of Nigeria (APPPMON) has officially launched a new project management framework called ABOKI. The hybrid unveiling ceremony, which held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in Port Harcourt, brought together project management professionals, development experts, members of the media and other key stakeholders. The ABOKI framework, an acronym that stands for APPPMON Body of Knowledge and Innovation, emphasizes community participation, stakeholder collaboration, and context-specific strategies to ensure that projects not only start, but are successfully completed and sustained. According to APPPMON, ABOKI is a locally developed framework tailored to suit Nigeria’s unique project environment, with the aim of improving the planning, execution, and sustainability of projects across the country. In his ad...
Read more

RIVERS NUJ HOLDS INAUGURAL CONGRESS, SETS AGENDA FOR BAZIA-LED ADMINISTRATION

Image
                  L-R: The Council's Secretary, Dr Ijeoma Tubosia & Council;'s Chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia-Nsaneh By Dr Helen Chimezie The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, on Thursday, 17 April, 2025, held its first congress under the leadership of Comrade Paul Bazia-Nsaneh, setting a tone of inclusiveness, commitment, and renewed direction for the union. In his opening remarks, Chairman of the State Council, Comrade Bazia, expressed gratitude to members for their unwavering support during the last council election. He pledged to maintain an open-door policy, emphasizing his readiness to accept constructive criticism and always keep a listening ear to the concerns of members. He also urged members to prioritize punctuality, stating that future meetings will commence at the scheduled time, regardless of attendance. A major highlight of the congress was the inauguration of a five-man committee, chaired by Paul Damg...
Read more