Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
In order to address the issues of foods insecurity and make foods available to Nigerians in 2025 and beyond, a group on the platform of Nigerian Institute For Oil Palm Research ( NIFOR) Childhood Friends of 1979-1983 Association, said it has finalized plans to invest massively into the agricultural sector.
President of the group, Mr. Wilson Etinosa Ekhomogiazin disclosed this during the association’s 2024 get-together and award ceremony held in Benin.
He said the investment into the agricultural sector will be based on the comparative advantage of the communities, noting that, such action would help cushion the impact of hunger in the country and make foods sufficiently available to Nigerians.
Speaking further of the group’s preparedness to contribute to the fortune of the youths and address unemployment, Mr. Ekhomogiazin said in keeping with the objectives of the association, the executive committee is planning programmes and activities for short term, medium term and long term.
Ekhomogiazin said in the short term, the executive committee will constitute a Business Support Scheme where the committee is expected to raise seed capital of not less than N1 million.
He added that the said amount will be interest free for members who wish to take a loan of more than N200,000 with one month moratorium and maximum of six months to make refund so that other members could benefit from the scheme.
He also added that besides the aforementioned plans for its members, their long term plan will see the association launching into real estate and that they are committed to seeing all plans come to reality soon.
The president of the group while saying that the association was formed to give back to the society that nurtured them, said that they have also thought it wise to honour some of those who once lived there but are now making impact in their various field of endeavours in the society.
The leader of the Nigerian Institute For Oil Palm Research ( NIFOR) Childhood Friends of 1979-1983 Association, pointed out that Mr. Lawrence Osarenkhoe alias MC Casino, a Nigerian comedian has taken the name of the community across the shores of the country and so, he should be celebrated.
He also said for Engr. Innocent Ekpu, he has been in the forefront of supporting the less privileged in the society, stressing that he deserves some commendations so that he will continue to do more for humanity.
Others honoured were Ubara Eloho Usiwo, Engr. Isidahomen Okpeaifoh,
Innocent E.Ujadughele, Innocent O. Okotubu, Barr. Osaze Agbonifo, Templa Ojieabu, Osarumwense Aikhionbare, Maureen Mgbeze-Aghedo and others.