Governor Umo Bassey Eno of Akwa Ibom State has said that, as part of ARISE Agenda, he “wanted to do a model, but now that I have seen a private farm here, we’ll put a model so that he and the women in this area, can keep producing and supporting government.”
Speaking at a special Church service to mark the 75th birthday celebration of Apostle John Okoriko and forty nineth anniversary of the Solid Rock Kingdom Church held at the Church Headquarters, Ibekwe Akpanyah, Mkpat Enin LGA,he said. “It’s a full mill. My team that went with me to the Songhai Integrated Farm saw that mill.”
“As part of our ARISE Agenda, we have a plan to boost agriculture by providing mills to local oil palm farmers to process their palm fruits and other palm produce,” he added.
Eno having observed that Apostle Okoriko does not limit himself to preaching but undertakes such a massive agricultural venture, promised to boost his farm’s productivity.
“For this kind of farm you have here, I have directed that the very first of such local mills be established here.”
“I will ask the Commissioner for Agriculture to come with experts to check your farm to find out what other support the government can give.”
He added: “We have new seeds called Tenera seed, that grow in two years. We are going to send some seeds to you and support you because you have done very well.”
“These are the simple things we can partner,” Eno stated.
He said he has exemplified true godliness and hard work worthy of emulation and assured of government’s support to help boost the farm’s productivity as well as provide a value chain for the farm produce.
After he thanked him for his support during his electioneering process, he congratulated the clergy, on behalf of the government and people of the State, on his 75th birthday anniversary, saying he is an asset in the Akwa Ibom Church community .
The Guest Speaker, Archbishop Emmanuel Udofia of the Methodist Church Nigeria, said that honour has always been reciprocated with blessings.
In his message of appreciation, Apostle Okoriko expressed gratitude to God for miraculously preserving his life and keeping the Church.
He said he counted it a great blessing to have the Governor with the state government officials and lots of dignified people show up to celebrate his 75th birthday and 49th anniversary of the Solid Rock Kingdom Church.