By Wilbet Ijeoma (NewsView)
The Delta State Hon. Commissioner For Economic Planning, Mr. Sony Ekedayen has charged the people of Otor-Owhe community, especially the 70 beneficiaries of agricultural inputs to reciprocate the kind gesture of the Governor by supporting his mandate and the MORE Agenda of his administration.
He gave this charge on the 12th October 2026 during the flag off of Delta-Cares Result Area 2 (D-Cares RA2) second phase programme and the disbursement of agricultural inputs to the 70 beneficiaries at Otor-Owhe Hall in Isoko North Local Government Area.
Ekedayen, who represented the Governor of Delta State Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, conveyed the assurances of the Governor in full commitment to the welfare, empowerment and prosperity of every Deltan. He explained that the D-Cares programme is about the people – restoring livelihood, building resilience and creating lasting economic opportunities.
Recounting the successes recorded in the first phase of the programme, Ekedayen noted that 17,380 farmers have benefited across 253 communities in Delta State, with 70 beneficiaries – 20 fish farmers, 20 cassava farmers and 30 poultry farmers – in line to add to the number.
The Commissioner who doubles as the Chairman of State Steering Committee of D-Cares programme noted that D-cares empowerment programme is a testament of the Renewed Hope for MORE agenda of Oborevwori’s government, adding that the government is interested in empowering farmers especially where and when they are organized.
He commended the people of Otor -Owhe for utilizing the first opportunity which gave rise to this second one.
“The Governor is teaching the people how to fish, instead of giving them fish”; Ekedayen remarked, while listing the agricultural inputs in the pack which includes day old chicks, fingerlings and cassava stems which are improved high breed varieties. “The Governor is giving the people seed to nurture, develop and live a sustainable development.” he said.
Informing the people about the Governor’s intentions, Ekedayen assured that D-Cares is intended to meet the needs of Deltans, and would be implemented to the letter.
“The gesture of the Governor is to help the beneficiaries and their respective families improve their livelihood”; he noted, and urged them and in general the people of Otor-Owhe to reciprocate this gesture by supporting the Governor and his APC mandate from President to House of Assembly.
Speaking at the event, the State Coordinator of D-Cares, Lady Dr. Patience Ogbewe commended the laudable initiative of the Governor to care for Deltans and see them expand their means of livelihood. She harped on effective utilization of the agricultural inputs which is where the result of the programme lies.
On sustainable development of the programme, the State Coordinator confirmed that over 17,000 beneficiary farmers have been empowered so far in the D-Cares programme and still counting with the present 70 beneficiaries adding to the record,.and more to come.
The implementation of the programme was not one without challenges, as Ogbewe noted issues of monetization and feminization as some of the challenges “Some farmers want to farm but no money to purchase inputs. Moreover women mostly dominated list of beneficiaries of the programme”; she noted,, but however expressed satisfaction that men were well represented in the present empowerment.
Earlier in the opening remarks, the State Project Coordinator FADAMA/Technical Head DCARES RA 2, Theresa Omame expressed delight over the happy deposition of the 70 beneficiaries and admitted that the Governor is indeed putting smiles on the face of Deltans. She expressed optimism that the lives of the beneficiaries are going to be transformed because there is an Intervention from the Governor who promised to do more.
She stated that last year , over 1,000 beneficiaries in all communities were empowered and their progress was remarkable which she likened to the Parable of the Talents in the Bible, and this informed the basis for the second phase of employment.
Amb. Israel Omanudhowho who represented the President-General of the community, Engr Nilfred Atunu, conveyed the deepest appreciation of the community leadership for the kind gesture of the Governor.
Responding to journalists on the scope of D-Cares programme, the Commissioner confirmed that D-Cares is an ongoing programme, as communities would definitely take their turn to benefit. He further allayed concerns over the modalities of selection, noting that selection was based on needs assessment by government officials in the local communities which generated a social register devoid of political interference. He confirmed that names of beneficiaries for D-Cares empowerment programme were mined from the social register of the government and. not by any political recommendation.
Ekedayen concluded by praising the even selection of beneficiaries across all groups – female, male and even people living with disabilities, adding that the even selection indicates the fairness of the programme.
He commended the people of Otor-Owhe for being orderly, organized and productive which earned them the second phase and pray that the muster seeds given to them yield the expected result.
The Commissioner led the presentation of the packs to the beneficiaries, and charged them to put the seeds to.good use. Isaac Abigboghene, Ajawo Felix, Omorovie Edith and Mr Abraham were among the beneficiaries who in turn thanked the Governor for remembering and caring for them.
Highpoints of the event were opening remarks, Commissioner’s address, cultural dance, presentation of inputs, press interview and group photographs.