Uyo, Nigeria – In a significant reaffirmation of its commitment to bolstering Nigeria’s agricultural sector, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Foundation has reiterated its dedication to ensuring food security across the nation. This pledge was made yesterday by the Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, during a crucial training initiative aimed at empowering vulnerable farmers in Akwa Ibom State.
Mrs. Arukwe, whose address was delivered by the Executive Director for Programme Development and Coordinator of the NNPC Foundation, Dr. Bala David, underscored the foundation’s ambitious plan to equip 6,000 farmers nationwide with contemporary farming techniques and effective market access strategies. This comprehensive training program is strategically designed to significantly enhance food production capabilities within the country.
Dr. David conveyed Mrs. Arukwe’s assertion that the NNPC Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to implement impactful programs that directly address and align with Nigeria’s most pressing national priorities.
The ongoing training initiative in Akwa Ibom has already seen over 500 farmers benefit from the NNPC Ltd Agricultural Training Initiative for Vulnerable Farmers. These participants, carefully selected from all 31 local government areas of the state, are receiving invaluable instruction in modern agricultural methodologies and strategic approaches to market engagement. The overarching goal is to empower these farmers to add substantial value to their agricultural businesses.
In her address, Mrs. Arukwe emphasized the foundational principles driving the initiative: “This programme is a tangible testament to our unwavering commitment to achieving food security, fostering economic empowerment within our communities, and contributing to the broader national development agenda. As the corporate social responsibility arm of NNPC Ltd, the NNPC Foundation is deeply invested in implementing impactful programmes that resonate with national priorities. This particular initiative forms a crucial component of our wider efforts to actively support the Federal Government’s agricultural transformation agenda, which seeks to fundamentally enhance food security, significantly increase agricultural productivity, and tangibly improve the livelihoods of our vital smallholder farmers.”
Mrs. Arukwe further articulated the Foundation’s aspirations for the beneficiaries: “Our fundamental goal is to equip each and every participant with the essential tools, the necessary knowledge, and the critical resources required to facilitate their transition from traditional subsistence farming practices to commercially viable, large-scale production.”
Responding to this vital initiative, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Offiong Offor, expressed profound gratitude to the NNPC Foundation for its proactive efforts in equipping the state’s farmers with cutting-edge agricultural knowledge. Dr. Offor, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Atim Okoko, aptly stated, “A nation that invests in training its farmers is a nation that safeguards itself against hunger.”
Dr. Okoko further conveyed the State Government’s appreciation: “I want to express the sincere appreciation of the Akwa Ibom State Government to the NNPC Foundation for mounting this truly laudable programme. A nation that prioritizes the training of its farmers, a nation that focuses its attention on the well-being of its farmers, will never have to face the specter of hunger. In this significant season where our President Bola Tinubu has articulated his Renewed Hope Agenda, the overarching objective is to decisively end hunger in Nigeria.” The Commissioner added that this timely program effectively complements the ongoing efforts of the Akwa Ibom State Government to ensure food self-sufficiency within the state.
Responding with collective gratitude on behalf of the participating farmers, the State Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr. Bassey Inwang, conveyed the deep appreciation of the state’s farming community for this invaluable training program.
Mr. Inwang expressed confidence that the knowledge and skills gained through this training would significantly boost food production within Akwa Ibom State, as farmers are now equipped to implement modern techniques on their farms, leading to substantial increases in yields.
