International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Consultants delegated from Rome, Italy have applauded the Federal Government (FGN) and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the sustainability of the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises-Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), in Ondo State.
The IFAD consultants made this known during the wrap-up meeting on field mission of the 4th Joint FG/NDDC/IFAD Supervision Mission of LIFE-ND Projects held in Akure.
According to the IFAD Consultants, the projects’ implementation has made significant contributions to reducing poverty, unemployment and youth restiveness, improving livelihoods, and boosting the state’s economy.
Mrs Dede Ekoue, IFAD Country Director,who said that the collaboration between Nigeria and IFAD had currently impacting the lives of over 26,000 beneficiaries across the Niger Delta said that 54 per cent of the beneficiaries are women, while 90 per cent are youths.
Ekoue, represented by Project Technical Lead, Global Technical Specialist in Rural Development and Institutions at IFAD, Abdoulaye Gonde, said that the project had facilitated the establishment of over 130 incubators and providing access to finance, inputs, and markets, significantly enhancing agriculture productivity.
Mr Bukar Musa, Director of the Project Coordinating Unit at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the supervision was part of the project to allow stakeholders to verify and observe the level of implementation that had yielded satisfactory results.
Ms. Munet Sadiku, representing the International Economic Relations Department at the Ministry of Finance, commended the mission team for identifying key strengths saying that the improvement would lead to practical solutions by enhancing project implementation and outcomes.
Sadiku, who said that the supervision mission had been a significant step towards shared goal, said that the insights gained and the collaborations fostered would undoubtedly contributed to the project’s success.
“I therefore enjoin the Project team never to relent in monitoring the project’s progress closely to ensure the beneficiaries stay on track to achieve our objectives of job creation, income enhancement and food security on a sustainable basis.
“So, the Federal Ministry of Finance as the borrower reiterates its unflinching and unwavering support to drive the LIFE-ND project forward.
“We assure you of our constant availability to provide the necessary support and guidance to ensure LIFE-ND delivers on its mandate of improving the livelihoods of the smallholder farmers in the Niger Delta region,” she said.
Dr. Abiodun Sanni, National Project Coordinator(NPC) for LIFE-ND, described the supervision as a huge success, saying the testimonies from stakeholders, including the state government, as evidence of its positive impact.
Sanni,who explained that the beneficiaries had increased to 4,250, while 3,500 already empowered, said that the project had showing significant improvement in the state.
According to him, there also increment percentage of People Living With Disabilities(PLWD) benefiting from the program.
Dr. Olumide Epebinu, Director of Agriculture and Fishery at NDDC,who commended the implementation of the project in Ondo State, called for more involment of youths and women in the programme in the state.
“What we see on ground in Ondo State is impressive. Our youths are dictation for development and much is expected.
“If employment is provided, youths restiveness will be reduced and our nation needs of development and NDDC will continue to give it and ensure to support anything that will move the country and project forward,” he said.
State Project Coordinator, Prince Olawale Ademola, said that the level of project implementation was ensuring due diligence both on paper and in the field during the supervisory mission.
He reiterated his commitment to empowering more youth and women through ongoing efforts.
Mr Olayato Aribo, Ondo State Commissioner for Agriculture, appreciated the support and collaboration of all stakeholders in implementing the project, saying that the project had impacted and reduced the rate of unemployment youths in the state.
Aribo said that the project’s was alignment with the state’s vision of transforming the agriculture sector and empowering rural youth and women.
He, therefore, pledged the state government’s continuous support and creating an enabling environment for the project to scale up and sustain its development plan and budget.
He emphasized the dissemination and replication of project lessons and best practices across the state.