The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), have launched the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises, LIFE-ND Project for Akwa Ibom, Imo and Rivers states as part of efforts to boost food security in the country.
Speaking at the launching which brought together representatives of ministries of agriculture, finance and the three states in Port Harcourt, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said that the Life-ND programme aligns with the efforts of President Tinubu’s administration, which recently declared a state of emergency on agriculture.
Ogbuku said: “Today’s launch of the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises – Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) Project for the three NDDC-funded states of Akwa Ibom, Imo, and Rivers, is more than a ceremony; it is a bold leap into the boundless world of agribusiness.
“This project is not just ploughing through the fields of agribusiness. It is breaking new ground, cultivating opportunities for wealth and stability. And 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.”
According to him: “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.”
Ogbuku said that 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, stating: “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.”
He declared: “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.
The Minister of Finance, Mr. Olawale Edun, stated that LIFE-ND was a crucial part of Nigeria’s strategy to address unemployment, boost food security, and unlock the agricultural potential of the Niger Delta.
The Minister, who was represented by a director in his ministry, Mr. Steve Ohaeri, 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.
Speaking 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, emphasised 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.
She stated: “I would like to reiterate that IFAD remains a steadfast partner in supporting the development of sustainable rural livelihoods in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria as a whole. We are confident that through continued collaboration and innovation, LIFE-ND will continue to empower rural communities and contribute to a more prosperous and food-secure future for all.”
In his speech, the NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Sir Victor Antai, said that the life-ND project stood as a beacon of hope and progress for Akwa Ibom, Imo, and Rivers States.
“The LIFE-ND project is more than just an initiative; it is a concerted effort to address the challenges faced by our communities and to harness the opportunities for growth and development.
“Our journey towards a more prosperous and sustainable Niger Delta is one defined by shared goals, mutual respect, and the unwavering belief that together, we can overcome the challenges that have long hindered our development.
“Our partnership with IFAD has been instrumental in empowering our farmers and enhancing agricultural productivity. This partnership dates back to 2005 when NDDC supported an initiative of the Federal government with a matching fund with IFAD in the sum of $15 million for the Community Based Natural Resource Management Programme – Niger Delta (CBNRMP-ND).
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,” Atai said.
He explained: “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”.
ICPC Chairman Makes History, Becomes First Anti-graft Chief to Lead Court Prosecution
In an unprecedented move within Nigeria’s anti-corruption sector, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has made history as the first chairman of any Nigerian anti-graft agency to lead a prosecution in court personally.
During his inaugural press briefing in Abuja, Dr. Aliyu pledged to actively participate in the prosecution of key cases to reinforce the Commission’s mission. “I will lead by example,” he stated. “By the grace of God, I intend to personally appear in ICPC cases in court. To the best of my knowledge, no previous ICPC chairman has done this, but I will be the first. I am deeply committed to creating a Nigeria where integrity, accountability, and transparency are woven into the fabric of our society.”
Fulfilling this promise, Dr. Aliyu appeared at a High Court in Kano on Thursday, representing the ICPC in a case involving allegations of fund misappropriation by the Kano State government through its 44 local government caretaker chairmen.
The defendants, including the state’s commissioner for local government and deputy governor, had previously secured an interim court order preventing the ICPC from conducting further investigations, summoning, or interrogating individuals involved in the alleged case.
As the first ICPC Chairman to personally appear in court, Dr. Aliyu underscored the symbolic importance of his presence. “I am here to honor my promise of leading from the front. This case is significant, and we must show that no one is above the law,” he said.
The case involves a legal challenge against the ICPC’s jurisdiction, with the defendants arguing that they had secured a court order halting investigations and had subsequently filed for contempt of court. Dr. Aliyu, however, firmly contested the legality of the caretaker chairmen’s positions, pointing to a Supreme Court ruling that prohibits the appointment of caretaker chairmen in local governments unless they are democratically elected.
“These individuals lack the legal standing to challenge the Commission,” Dr. Aliyu asserted. “They are challenging our jurisdiction while holding positions the apex court has already ruled to be illegal. I am here as both a lawyer and the Chairman of the ICPC to ensure that the law is upheld. We cannot allow anyone to misuse the legal system to evade accountability for their actions.”
This case follows allegations of fraudulent procurement practices by the Kano State government, specifically regarding the purchase of drugs through the caretaker chairmen. While the state governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, denied involvement, the case has drawn considerable public attention.
The applicants’ counsel, Shamsudeen Ubale Jibril, representing the Ministry for Local Government, ALGON, and the 44 caretaker chairmen, argued that it is unlawful for multiple agencies to investigate the same matter, referring to the practice as “forum shopping” and an “abuse of court process.” He further claimed that the ICPC had violated a previous court injunction by continuing its investigation.
Despite these legal maneuvers, Dr. Aliyu remains resolute in his mission to combat corruption and ensure justice is served, reinforcing his commitment to a transparent and accountable Nigeria.
Meanwhile ICPC has gone ahead to invite the speaker Kano state house of assembly to bring relevant documents related to the illegal extension of the tenure of the LG caretakers chairmen.
