Adding value to agricultural chain will take Nigeria economy to the next level of economic development.
The Abia State one-man Trustee for the National Apex of Nigerian Farmers’ Cooperative Societies (NANFACOS) Ltd, Chief Eric Chinemeucheya Opah assured this weekend during his Inauguration Ceremony in Isiala Ngwa North, stating that, stating, “Agriculture is the next oil for Nigeria”.
Opah, a shipping magnet and farmer stated this during his acceptance speech, adding that his getting involved as a Trustee of the apex farmers will bring sanity into the sector in Abia and Nigeria in general.
“I will ensure that loans allocated to farmers will get to them. My representation will make me to ensure that I bring innovation of what we need for our products to go for export. I will ensure that Nigeria agricultural products is processed and preserved for export.
“I will also that all that is required are received and farmers will work together to move the agricultural sector forward”, he said and assured that he will continue to support agriculture “as long as my position lasts”.
In his speech, the Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu lamented “Today, Nigeria lost our way through the discovery of oil, but farming is the only way for Nigeria and is the only industry without expiring date”.
Represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy, Rt. Hon. Christopher Enweremadu, Ikpeazu noted that many countries are making efforts for alternative energy sources and will soon depend less on crude oil, hence the need to depend less on oil and face agriculture for a dependable economy.
Also speaking, a PDP House of Assembly candidate for Isialangwa North, Collins Iheonunekwu advised Nigeria governments to ensure the deal with real farmers, and not portfolio ones, so that all agricultural imputs will get across to the real farmers.
He also urged politicians in the country to leave leave farmers money alone.
In their goodwill messages, others in attendance including the chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Ruler, HRM, Eze Josiah Nwabekee and Hon. Chinenye Nwaogu said farming will serve the future of Nigeria as oil will one day dry up and advised farmers to utilize agricultural loans given to them very well and not to divert it.
They assured that with Opah in charge, agricultural loans will get to the Abia and Nigeria farmers directly.
Earlier in his welcome address, the National President, National Apex of Nigerian Farmers’ Cooperative Societies, Hon. Chief Nwogwugwu Uzoma highlighted the purpose for establishment of National Apex of Nigerian Farmers’ Cooperative Societies, which was established by the Federal Department of Cooperatives of Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development in 20″ November, 2019.
“The Federal Government/Federal Ministry of Agriculture in same vain is having NANFACOS as a National private sector body using this platform to check the imbalances between the real practicing farmers/portfolio farmers.
“NANFACOS as a new development in Nigeria, has been advised to establish management structures for an efficient running of her administration, that has called for 2 Men State Directors to manage the States affairs, One Man Board of Trustee for each state, on National representations which among all Chief Eric Chinemeucheya Opah was found credible and able via his good track record, today has been appointed to represent Abia State to see that Abia State’s right and needs shall be considered, that has led to this celebration we are into”, he said.
