From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
A group, Nigerian Institute For Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) Childhood Friends of 1979-1983 Association, yesterday said that it has finalized plans to invest massively in the agricultural sector, in order to compliment the efforts of President Bola Tinubu administration in tackling foods insecurity and make foods available to Nigerians in 2025 and beyond.
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 in the agricultural sector would 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 foodstuff sufficiently available to Nigerians.
Ekhomogiazin explained that the group’s desire to contribute to enhancing the fortune of the youths and address unemployment, in keeping with the objectives of the association, noting that the executive committee is planning programmes and activities for short term, medium term and long term.
In the short term, he said, the executive committee would constitute a Business Support Scheme with the committee 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 repay so that other members could benefit from the scheme.
Ekhomogiazin added that besides the aforementioned plans for its members, their long term plan will see the association launching into real estate, stressing that they were committed to seeing all plans come to reality soon.
The president 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 the sons and daughters of the NIFOR community.
He pointed out that a Nigerian comedian, Mr. Lawrence Osarenkhoe alias MC Casino, had taken the name of the community across the shores of the country and so, should be celebrated.
He also said Engr. Innocent Ekpu, one of the youngest professors, 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.
The other people similarly honoured include Ubara Eloho Usiwo, Engr. Isidahomen Okpeaifoh, Innocent E.Ujadughele, Innocent O. Okotubu, Barrister Osaze Agbonifo, Templa Ojieabu, Osarumwense Aikhionbare and Maureen Mgbeze-Aghedo, among others.