NDDC To Host Agricultural Retreat, Summit To Boost Food Security In Niger Delta

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is planning a major agricultural retreat and summit to strengthen food security and align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, according to Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, NDDC’s Managing Director.

Dr. Ogbuku announced the initiative at the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Multi-Purpose Training Centre in Otuokpoti, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

He stated that the retreat will be organised in collaboration with state governments throughout the Niger Delta region.

“The NDDC will support the President’s vision for agriculture, ensuring that agriculture serves as a platform for peace and security in the Niger Delta region,” Dr. Ogbuku stated.

“A hungry man is angry. We intend to promote agriculture through collaboration with all state governments in the region.”

The retreat will serve as a precursor to a larger regional agricultural summit, which will create a comprehensive master plan for regional agricultural development.

Dr. Ogbuku’s goal is to address food security concerns and reverse the decline in agricultural production that has occurred in many Niger Delta states.

“At any time, the Commission will convene a mini-agricultural retreat for state governments and agriculture commissioners. Each state in the region has different areas of strength in agriculture.

“We intend to establish a regional agricultural integration, which will eventually evolve into a regional agricultural summit to develop a comprehensive master plan for the region’s agriculture.

“This is to promote food security in the Niger Delta region,” he stated.

Dr. Ogbuku challenged the notion that certain imported crops cannot be grown in the region, emphasising the need for the Niger Delta to work towards food sufficiency and security.

He used the example of Ogbia Local Government Area, which has a history of cocoyam production, to demonstrate how agricultural heritage can be revived.

The NDDC Managing Director emphasised the importance of working collaboratively with all stakeholders, including President Tinubu and state governments, to achieve the region’s development goals.

He emphasised that state governments’ support and collaboration are critical to the success of various development initiatives.

“It is not only our efforts, but the synergy and combined efforts of all stakeholders who believe the time has come for stability in the NDDC and to ensure that we deliver development to the people of the Niger Delta region,” he said.

Dr. Ogbuku reaffirmed the NDDC’s commitment to promoting policies and programmes that improve food security and poverty reduction, citing previous initiatives such as the training of 200 women and youths in Livestock Farming and Agro-Processing in Delta State.

He also highlighted the ongoing collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to provide apprenticeship programmes for Niger Delta residents.

The planned agricultural retreat and summit represent a significant effort by the NDDC to revitalise the Niger Delta’s agricultural sector and contribute to President Tinubu’s national food security agenda.