…Gov Mbah’s agric programme covers all farmers – Prof Onyeisi

By Gabriel Ewepu, Abuja

Obimo Nsukka farmers under the auspices of Obimo Farmers Association and Izunwanne Obimo Multi- Purpose Corporative Society, have begged the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, for intervention to upscale their productivity.

The chairman, Obimo Farmers Association and President, Izunwanne Obimo Multi-Purpose Corporative Society, Chamberlain Ugwuoke, made the appeal on behalf of the farmers based on the potential they have to boost food security in the state and nation at last.

Ugwuoke maintained that Obimo Community in Nsukka local Government Area of Enugu State is a major agricultural hub while addressing a 30-man think-tank selected by Izunwanne Obimo to look into food insecurity in the Community.

He also stated that it has become necessary now that rain has started in earnest to ensure food security issues in Obimo are holistically addressed and the need for Enugu State Government to help farmers with farm inputs.

However, at the meeting, he pointed out that farmers are right now affected by Fulani herders who have invaded and occupied most of their farmlands with their cattle, thereby, depriving Obimo farmers from going to their farms, and the livelihood and occupation of the people are being threatened by the Fulani herders.

Obimo community people are predominantly farmers and it is a boundary town between Nsukka LGA and Uzo Uwani LGA of Enugu State.

He said: “The Executive Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah should come to the aid of Obimo Community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State by providing tractors and other farming equipment and inputs to improve the farming conditions of the farmers and ensure food security in the community and Enugu State.”

However, he called the attention of the Governor to the invasion of herders who have illegally occupied their farmlands, as a result, the lives of the people are in danger.

“Over the years, Obimo farmers cannot cultivate around their residence because of cows, goats, and other animals that stray and roam the streets of the community.

“The only alternative to our farmers is to go very far away into the forest to plant such crops which as well are being threatened by monkeys, rabbits and rodents including cattle and herders.

“The most worrisome is that Fulani herders have occupied most of the farmlands with their cows, depriving Obimo farmers from going to their farms, thereby threatening the livelihood of Obimo people.”

Meanwhile, many Obimo elites at the meeting aired their views. One of the sons of Obimo at the meeting, the Programme Manager, Enugu Agricultural Development Programme, ENADEP, Prof Ogbonna Sam Onyeisi, mni, thanked the cooperative president for raising farmers’ concerns and demands on the heels of the meeting he initiated.

According to Onyeisi, food security is a serious issue and a great concern of Enugu State and Federal Governments, which Governor Mbah has prioritized and assured that all farmers in the State are well covered under the agricultural intervention, therefore, the demands of farmers in Obimo will be addressed.

Onyeisi stated that ENADEP on her 2024 Pre-farming Season Sensitization for Enugu State farmers visited Obimo on 20th April 2024 and that the Sensitization is still going on across Local Governments in Enugu State for the purpose of improving food security.

He also assured Obimo people that the Enugu State Governor will help them to improve food security.

In their response, Ozo David Okolo, the Head of Ozo title holders in Obimo, appreciated the initiatives of Izunwanne Cooperative and their concerns for food security in Obimo.

Other dignitaries at the meeting, include the Traditional Prime Minister of Obimo, Chief Joseph Sunday Ugwuoke; President General, Obimo community, Chief Sunday Ezike; Ozo Godwin Eze; Dr Erastus Okoli; Barr Festus Ugwuoke; Engr. Ambrose Eze; the Chief Security Officer of Obimo, Mr.Stephen Ayogu; Venerable E. Agbo, the Vicar in Charge of St. Bartholomew; Mr. Augustine Ofili, Chief Security Officer, Enugu State College of Education (Technical), ESCET; and Chief Titus Dike.