While we lament on the serious economic implications of insurgency, kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and the likes, one vital issue that can never be glossed over is the issue of food security. No matter the size of one’s bank account, without food to buy with it pales into insignificance. Men and women, young and old, rich and poor and by extension the criminal minded elements in the society are all in need of food to keep living. All the daily struggles of life are not only anchored towards the realization of income to cater for our daily needs chief of which is what is now commonly referred to as the stomach infrastructure, but the most ironic of them all is that no one can survive without food for upwards of seven days or less.
It is in recognition of the fact that healthy citizens are champions. No valuable economic endeavors can thrive successfully when there is hunger in the land. Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who appears to have embraced the principles of good governance like his signature white kaftan have never left any in doubt about his preparedness to reverse the narrative where agricultural endeavors was the major occupation of the people. Enugu State has often been regarded as a civil service state, yet it’s citizens are noted for their industry in the agricultural sector. Cultivation of root crops like yam and cassava have always occupied towns and communities like Orba in Udenu, Achi in Oji-River, leguminous crops like bambara and groudnuts in places like Ebe and Eke and Oghe in Udi and Ezeagu local government areas respectively. There are still many more farm products which grows well in the arable land God blessed Enugu with, but that appears to have lost steam over the years owing to the criminal activities of the Fulani Herdsmen on local farmers, lost of interest in farming in preference to white and blue collar jobs and the declined state of soil fertility across the state. Determined to change this narrative to boost the economic fortunes of the state, governor Ugwuanyi have since his assumption of office initiated far reaching programs aimed at revitalizing agricultural endeavors and boosting the interests of the people to embrace agriculture. Governor Ugwuanyi not only chose the most critical segment of the population to drive this narrative which is the youth constituency but equally centered most of his signature legacies on them as ingredients enabler towards the realization of government objectives.
The latest efforts of Ugwuanyi’s administration to secure food sufficiency for Ndi Enugu took about 260 Enugu youths all expense paid training program to far away Keffi in Nasarawa state. The government has reasoned that it is only a backward thinking society will repeat same process over again and expect a different outcome. Agricultural processes like any endeavor that is old as man itself have undergone considerable metamorphosis and dynamism that it can only take retooling, retraining and dynamic instincts to be able to launch into the 21st century and ensure that the needs of man in stomach infrastructure is not only met but attained.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is a visionary leader. His forays to crystalize economic growth through his many programs and policies is truly illuminating. He is forever looking for opportunities both locally and internationally where the citizens could be engaged further to add value both to themselves and the society. This is the outcome of recent training program for about 260 Enugu citizens who went to acquire new agricultural skills from CSS Global Farms in Keffi, Nasarawa state. It is gratifying to note that the 260 beneficiaries of this Ugwuanyi’s masterstroke are back to Enugu and are ready to unleash their new skills acquired in the agricultural value chain in their various communities and the state in general. The state would surely benefit from this uncommon tenacity of purpose. Governor Ugwuanyi, we thank you for believing so much in the people as ingredients for societal growth especially the youth segment. You have reversed the old narrative of the youths as the leaders of tomorrow which never comes but have helped to thrust ‘Today’ rather than ‘Tomorrow’ upon their shoulders. We want to thank you too for marking out agricultural ventures as worthy of cardinal state policies and programs in realization of it’s importance and in recognition of the fact that farmers are true heroes in every ramifications.
Finally, we pray for the enabling grace to elect another leader in the garb of Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi who will appreciate the enormous responsibilities and sacrifices of a leader, a leader who cares, a leader who will not be interested in handing out fishes but will teach people how to fish and become self reliant. May Ugwuanyi become bigger than he is now. May God answer our prayers as 2023 general elections draw closer through Christ our Lord, Amen…
Bibian Anekwe News added: “Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character”.
Written by
Austin Okechukwu Chijioke.
Public Affairs Commentator.
Media Team Lead for Enugu Di N’akachukwu Movement.
www.bibiananekwe.com
