Through Agrobusiness, NDDC Energises N/Delta States for Economic Gains
5 min read
As part of efforts to boost food security in the country, the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development IFAD, have launched the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises, LIFE-ND Project.
The LIFE-ND project launching which brought together representatives of ministries of agriculture, finance and the three states in Port Harcourt, was held on Friday for three NDDC funded states of Akwa Ibom, Imo and Rivers states. The other six states had earlier been brought on board the initiative.
Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said at the launch that the LIFE-ND programme was in line with the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which recently declared a state of emergency on agriculture.
According to him, the project is expected to address the issues of unemployment, reduce youth restlessness and foster inclusion through profitable agrobusiness ventures, adding that the initiative was a bold leap into the boundless world of agribusiness.
He said “at the heart of this project lies the principle that agriculture is more than planting seeds-it is planting futures. And with every young person and woman who takes advantage of this initiative, we are not just reaping crops; we are harvesting hope, empowerment, and transformation. LIFE-ND is a clarion call for our people to rise, to seize the tools and skills needed to navigate the value chains of agriculture and beyond.
“The NDDC proudly stands as a co-implementer of this initiative, alongside the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, with the steadfast support of IFAD. Together, we aim to align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of Renewed Hope, by addressing unemployment, reducing youth restlessness, and fostering inclusion through profitable agricbusiness ventures. The LIFE-ND project aims to transform the lives of over 38,000 direct beneficiaries over six years, but its multiplier effect will surely touch many more across the Niger Delta.
“For the six states where LIFE-ND (Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Ondo-IFAD funded) has already taken root, we have seen results that are nothing short of inspiring -10 local government areas per state, 10 communities per LGA, each one a testament to the possibilities when we cultivate the right partnerships and persevere in the face of challenges.”
He expressed the belief that “with this launch, we are now taking that success story to three more states: Akwa Ibom, Imo, and Rivers. In doing so, we are reaffirming our commitment to ensuring that our youth and women not only participate in the economy but lead the charge-building businesses that uplift their families, their communities, and their futures. We call on all stakeholders to embrace this initiative wholeheartedly, to nurture it as their own. For, like any good farmer knows, the harvest is richest when the seeds are sown with care.
“The partnership with IFAD is a strong vine, one that will continue to grow and bear fruit. With IFAD’s investment of US$60 million and NDDC’s contribution of US$30 million, we are fertilizing the ground for a brighter future. Together, we aim to reduce rural –urban migration, decrease youth restiveness, and provide sustainable alternatives to unwholesome activities that too often plague our region.”
He said the project meant the breaking of new new grounds, cultivating opportunities for wealth and stability and added that “as we launch this initiative, we are ushering in new possibilities. In the past, agribusiness seemed out of reach for many. But today, we bridge that gap, opening the doors to entrepreneurship, financial independence, and sustainable livelihoods. The NDDC proudly stands as a co-sponsor of this initiative, alongside the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, with the steadfast support of IFAD.
“The LIFE-ND project would transform the lives of over 38,000 direct beneficiaries, but its multiplier effect will surely touch many more across the Niger Delta. We are reaffirming our commitment to ensuring that our youth and women not only participate in the economy but lead the charge building businesses that uplift their families, their communities, and their futures.”
Also speaking, the Minister of Finance, Mr. Olawale Edu, described LIFE-ND as a crucial part of Nigeria’s strategy to address unemployment, boost food security, and unlock the agricultural potential of the Niger Delta and commended the NDDC for coming up with its counterpart fund for the Life-ND project, urging the Commission to ensure the sustainability of the agricultural programme.
In a similar vein, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, who was represented by Dr Peter Kush, acknowledged the impact of the LIFE-ND project in raising agriculture-based enterprises and mentoring thousands of apprentices across the Niger Delta region.
The IFAD Country Director, Mrs. Dede Ekoue, in her address spoke on the goal of LIFE-ND in promoting youth and women agribusinesses, food security, and inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the Niger Delta’s agri-food sector. According to her, the collaboration with the NDDC on the project had been a huge success.
The Executive Director, Projects, Sir Victor Antai, while addressing the gathering said the life-ND project stood as a beacon of hope and progress for Akwa Ibom, Imo, and Rivers States.
Giving an overview of the project, the National Project Coordinator of LIFE-ND, Dr. Abiodun Sanni, said that the success recorded in the initial six states had set a high standard that would be replicated in the newly funded states of Akwa Ibom, Imo and Rivers.
“For the six states where LIFE-ND (Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Ondo – IFAD funded) has already taken root, we have seen results that are nothing short of inspiring—10 Local Government Areas per state, 10 communities per LGA, each one a testament to the possibilities when we cultivate the right partnerships and persevere in the face of challenges.
