By Wilbet Ijeoma (News View)
The Onu of Ebu, HRM Paul Odilile Opili, has commended the Delta State Government for extending its D-CARES/FADAMA agricultural empowerment programme to his community, resulting in the distribution of agricultural inputs and vouchers to 70 farmers in Ebu, Oshimili North Local Government Area.
The empowerment programme, which took place on November 2, 2026, at the Ebu Youth Centre, featured the distribution of improved cassava stems, day-old chicks, fish fingerlings, animal feeds, fertilizers and other agricultural inputs to beneficiaries comprising 40 poultry farmers, 20 cassava farmers and 10 fish farmers.
The intervention followed an initial four-year period of apathy and rejection of the programme by members of the community, which was eventually overcome through the intervention of the traditional ruler, who encouraged his people to embrace the initiative.
The Honourable Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Sonny Ekedayen, who represented Governor Sheriff Oborevwori at the event, expressed appreciation to the Governor for his commitment to reaching more Deltans through his MORE Agenda, particularly its emphasis on providing opportunities for all.
Ekedayen, who is also Chairman of the State Steering Committee of D-CARES, congratulated the people of Ebu for their peaceful disposition, cleanliness and hospitality.
He explained that the intervention was designed to address food insecurity, promote economic independence and strengthen sustainable livelihoods by empowering beneficiaries to become self-reliant.
According to him, food, clothing and shelter remain the fundamental needs of humanity, noting that the agricultural intervention directly addresses the food component while creating opportunities for economic advancement.
He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the inputs provided to improve their livelihoods and achieve economic sustainability.
The Commissioner expressed confidence that the improved varieties of cassava, poultry and fish would enhance productivity, increase farmers’ returns and boost food availability at affordable prices, thereby contributing to food security in the state.
Quoting the popular saying, “We rise by lifting others,” Ekedayen encouraged the beneficiaries to extend the benefits of the programme to other members of the community by sharing knowledge and ensuring that the improved agricultural varieties circulate within Ebu.
Speaking at the event, the State Coordinator of D-CARES, Lady Dr. Patience Ogbewe, popularly known as Mama-Cares, appreciated Governor Oborevwori and the Commissioner for Economic Planning for their commitment to the intervention.
She congratulated the beneficiaries on becoming part of the sustainable development initiative, describing it as a socioeconomic empowerment programme delivered through the FADAMA platform.
Ogbewe highlighted accountability, ownership and sustainability as the three major pillars of the programme. She charged beneficiaries to be accountable for the inputs received, take ownership of the intervention and protect the resources provided.
She also encouraged them to embrace innovation, develop value chains around their agricultural produce and establish networks with other farmers engaged in similar ventures to maximise the economic benefits of the programme.
Earlier in her welcome address, the State Project Coordinator, FADAMA, and Technical Head of D-CARES RA2, Mrs Therese Omame, commended Governor Oborevwori for introducing the intervention and praised the Ebu beneficiaries for eventually embracing the programme despite their initial reservations.
Omame recalled that when the FADAMA team visited Ebu for sensitisation about four years ago, the community declined participation in the agricultural and food security component of D-CARES, opting instead for the social infrastructure component, which involved the construction of a town hall.
She explained that it took the intervention of the traditional ruler to encourage the community to resubmit its Expression of Interest, paving the way for the eventual implementation of the empowerment programme.
She commended the Ebu leadership for its resilience in ensuring that the people benefited from the government intervention, stressing that the state government remained committed to reaching communities irrespective of the challenges associated with their locations.
In his goodwill message, the Onu of Ebu, HRM Paul Odilile Opili, represented by Akpeli (Chief) Keshi Iwute, welcomed the Commissioner and his entourage and expressed gratitude to Governor Oborevwori for remembering the people of Ebu.
While acknowledging the community’s initial scepticism towards the programme, the traditional ruler, through his representative, noted that the empowerment exercise had demonstrated the government’s commitment to the welfare of the people.
He, however, appealed to the Governor to extend government intervention to the community’s deplorable road infrastructure, describing improved road access as another critical need of the people.
The traditional ruler also assured the Governor of the community’s support in the forthcoming general elections.
In his remarks, Ekedayen urged the beneficiaries and the people of Ebu to reciprocate the state government’s gesture by supporting Governor Oborevwori, President Bola Tinubu and all APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections.
He concluded with the popular maxim, “One good turn deserves another,” urging the community to demonstrate appreciation for the government’s intervention through continued support.
Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Uche Egbuche, an indigene of Ebu, thanked the Governor for extending the empowerment programme to his community.
He expressed optimism that the beneficiaries would utilise the agricultural inputs effectively and acknowledged that the intervention of the traditional ruler was instrumental in overcoming the community’s initial rejection of the programme.
Egbuche equally assured the Governor of the people’s support for APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Theresa Nwajei, expressed gratitude to the Governor, describing the intervention as her first experience of receiving government empowerment support.
She explained that the traditional ruler had directed the town crier to announce the programme, following which some community members indicated interest while others remained indifferent.
Nwajei said she was grateful for her patience and eventual participation, adding that the agricultural inputs would provide an opportunity to improve her livelihood.
Similarly, Chief Keshi Iwute reaffirmed that the traditional ruler’s intervention was crucial to securing the programme for the community after the initial display of apathy. He thanked the Governor for his patience with the people and congratulated the beneficiaries for remaining committed until the intervention materialised.
The Commissioner subsequently led the presentation of the agricultural inputs and vouchers to the beneficiaries, urging them to put the materials to productive use.
The beneficiary groups included Ebu Aqua Farmers Group, represented by Banido Ugbodu; Edoja Poultry Farmers; Edokirane Poultry Farmers; The Light Poultry Farmers, represented by Okolo Isaiah Kema; Ejor Ateshi Poultry Farmers; Ebojor Cassava Farmers, represented by Mrs Erojie Juliana; and Odogwa Cassava Farmers.
The beneficiaries took turns to appreciate the Governor for the gesture, expressing delight at the opportunity and pledging to utilise the inputs effectively in support of the state government’s MORE Agenda.
Among dignitaries present were the Head of Operations, D-CARES Coordinating Unit, Mr Christopher Oyenike; the Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Economic Planning, Mrs Ese Obote; the Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Charles Iyoha; the Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Uche Egbuche; the representative of the Onu of Ebu, Chief Keshi Iwute; and other officials of the D-CARES office.
Highlights of the event included welcome remarks, goodwill messages, addresses by the State Coordinator and Commissioner, presentation of agricultural input vouchers and materials, media interviews and a group photograph.