The Abia State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare and empowerment of youths who participated in the Agricultural Training Programme in Osun State, dismissing insinuations in some quarters that the beneficiaries have been abandoned.

The Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, FCIB, gave the clarification while reacting to reports circulating on social media regarding the status of the trainees.

Dr. Agbaeze stated that the initiative was conceived by the administration of Alex Otti as part of its broader strategy to equip Abia youths with practical Agricultural and entrepreneurial skills capable of promoting food security, self-reliance, job creation, and economic growth.

According to the Commissioner, the State Government is currently putting in place the necessary framework to ensure that the beneficiaries are effectively integrated into the administration’s ongoing agricultural and youth empowerment programmes in a sustainable and impactful manner.

He recalled that in 2024, the State Government trained over 300 Abia youths at CSS Farms in Nasarawa State and subsequently supported them with empowerment packages of up to N2.3 million each to establish agricultural enterprises. He noted that many of the beneficiaries are presently thriving in their various Agricultural ventures.

The Commissioner further disclosed that under the LIFE-ND Programme, the State Government has trained and empowered more than 4,000 youth incubatees across different Agricultural value chains. He added that barely three weeks ago, another batch of 276 youth incubatees graduated and received initial working capital support of about N500,000 each.

Dr. Agbaeze emphasized that the empowerment of the 28 youths trained in Osun remains part of the government’s overall Agricultural development and youth empowerment agenda, stressing that the administration is committed to integrating them into a more structured and sustainable framework rather than handling the initiative in isolation.

He noted that some of the affected trainees had personally reached out to him, either through visits or phone calls, to seek clarification on the matter, adding that they were duly assured that the government has not abandoned them and remains committed to addressing their concerns.

While appealing to the beneficiaries to remain patient as the necessary processes are being concluded, the Commissioner cautioned youths against allowing themselves to be used as instruments of political propaganda by desperate and unscrupulous elements.

Dr. Agbaeze reiterated that the administration of Governor Alex Otti remains resolute in fulfilling its promises to the people of Abia State, particularly in the area of youth empowerment and Agricultural transformation.

Signed:

Oluchi Franklin-Oji
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Agriculture
Abia State

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming Abia into a major agro-industrial hub through strategic collaboration with the Anambra–Imo River Basin Development Authority (AIRBDA), as the State officially commenced the recovery of abandoned and underutilised farm settlements.

Governor Otti made this known while receiving the Executive Management Committee of AIRBDA, led by its Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Anosike, during a working visit at Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government Area.

Welcoming the delegation, the Governor commended the Authority for prioritising Abia in its South-East engagements and assured them of the State Government’s readiness to partner for tangible, result-driven outcomes in agriculture and economic development.

Governor Otti described agriculture as the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy and a central pillar of his administration’s development agenda, disclosing that Abia is deliberately transitioning from subsistence farming to commercial, mechanised agriculture anchored on a full value-chain system.
“We are moving from subsistence farming to a value-chain approach — from primary production to processing and finished products. Instead of selling cocoa beans, we want to sell chocolate,” the Governor declared.

He revealed that the State Government has begun the process of reclaiming long-abandoned farm settlements established during the era of agricultural icons like Dr. Michael Okpara, noting that these assets are being revitalised to boost food security, employment and wealth creation.

According to him, agriculture remains the highest employer of labour in Nigeria, and Abia is determined to harness its full potential through data-driven planning, land recovery, mechanisation and strategic partnerships.
Governor Otti also highlighted the remarkable progress recorded in the power sector, disclosing that nine out of the seventeen local government areas now enjoy constant electricity, a development that has significantly stimulated economic activities in Aba and Umuahia.

He assured that efforts are ongoing to extend reliable power supply across the entire State, describing power as “central to virtually everything we are doing.”
To fast-track the partnership, the Governor announced the establishment of a joint technical committee and directed the Commissioners for Agriculture, Lands, Power and Public Utilities, Environment, as well as the Managing Director of the Abia State Investment Agency and other relevant MDAs, to engage directly with AIRBDA and immediately identify “low-hanging fruits” for quick wins.
“Abia is open for business. Let us hit the ground running.There is no time to waste,” the Governor charged.

Earlier, the Chairman of AIRBDA, Senator Emmanuel Anosike, explained that the visit was part of a tour of South-East States to introduce the newly inaugurated Board and explore areas of collaboration, stressing that Abia was chosen as the starting point due to its strategic importance in agriculture.

He referenced the Federal Government’s declaration of a state of emergency on food security and underscored the need for strong synergy between the River Basin Authority and State Governments to revive agricultural productivity.

Senator Anosike lamented the decline in output across over 1,300 hectares of agricultural land previously used for rice, cassava and fish farming in the region, attributing it to years of weak collaboration. He appealed to the Abia State Government to support efforts to reactivate these assets for the benefit of the South-East.

He further disclosed that the Authority is also involved in irrigation projects, solar energy solutions and other initiatives, expressing readiness to work closely with Abia State and the South-East Development Commission to restore the region’s agricultural glory.

Commending Governor Otti, Senator Anosike praised the improved infrastructure across Abia and lauded the Governor’s commitment to leaving the State better than he met it.

The Governor was joined at the meeting by the Acting Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, Commissioners for Agriculture, Power and Public Utilities, Lands, Directors-General of PPP and Investment Promotion, GADA, GODA, UCDA, and other top government officials.

The Abia State Ministry of Agriculture hosted a high-powered delegation from the South East Development Commission (SEDC) to explore strategic areas of collaboration aimed at accelerating agricultural and rural development across the State.

Leading the delegation, the Executive Director, Natural Resource, Agriculture and Rural Development (NRARD), Dr. Cliff Ogbede, explained that the SEDC was inaugurated on January 11, 2025, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address critical developmental challenges within the South East.
He noted that the visit to Abia State aligns with the Commission’s mandate and is designed to complement the impressive strides of Governor Alex Otti, OFR, especially in the agricultural sector.

Dr. Ogbede highlighted that SEDC, through NRARD, is committed to driving sustainable agricultural transformation in partnership with state governments. He stated that the Commission is particularly interested in supporting the development of farm estates already mapped out by the Abia State Government across the three senatorial zones. Key focus areas include road mapping, technical collaboration, and counterpart funding, all geared toward strengthening agricultural infrastructure and boosting productivity in the State.

Responding, the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, FCIB, reaffirmed the determined commitment of Governor Otti’s administration to fast-track agricultural growth.
He emphasized the Governor’s determination to close long-standing developmental gaps and build upon the enduring legacies of iconic leaders such as Dr. Michael Okpara and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Dr. Agbaeze further assured the delegation that the Ministry will continue to prioritize community engagement, noting that the State’s development plan focuses on enhancing existing farm plantations rather than acquiring new land. This approach, he explained, will foster stronger cooperation with host communities and ensure inclusive, sustainable growth.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Ijeoma Adanma Aguwa, PhD, commended the SEDC for the visit and pledged the Ministry’s full support for a fruitful collaboration. The State Director of Lands, ESV Mong Uduma, equally affirmed the readiness of the Ministry of Lands to provide the necessary technical assistance to drive the initiative.

ATTENDANCE

Abia State Government Officials

Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, FCIB – Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture

Mrs. Ijeoma Adanma Aguwa, PhD – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture

Dr. Ojo Uma Ojo – State Director of Agriculture

ESV Mong Uduma – State Director of Lands, Ministry of Lands

Samuel O. Titilaye – Representative of the Acting Surveyor-General

ESV Ucheibe A. O. – Community Liaison Officer

ESV Ikpa Kelechi U. – Principal Land Officer, Ministry of Lands

SEDC Delegation

Dr. Cliff Ogbede – Executive Director, NRARD

Engr. Dr. Charles Ajah – Consultant

Amb. Dr. Timothy Ihemadu – Consultant

Mr. Nnamdi Umunakwe – Programme Officer

Mr. Olugbenga Fashola