A five -day capacity training programme on’ Innovative Agricultural System, Agribusiness and Climate Smart Aquaculture’ was put together for 60 NDDC Officials by the Management of FGN/NDDC/IFAD Assisted Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger-Delta.
The training programme conceived under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security took place at the Adventium Songhai Delta Limited in Amukpe Sapele Delta State from Wednesday the 23rd to Saturday 26th of April.
The training is part of their efforts to equip NDDC officials with practical knowledge and modern tools to oversee and support agricultural Development in their states. Held in partnership with Adventium Songhai Delta Ltd in Sapele, Delta State the programme focuses on building technical and operational capacity across key value chains including aquaculture, cassava, oil palm, poultry and rice production. It draws participants from the nine Niger-Delta State particularly Akwa Ibom. Imo. Rivers States.
Welcoming the participants on behalf of the National Project Coordinator Dr. Abiodun Sanni, Mrs Ngozi Ohaechesi, said the programmee marks a major milestone in strengthening institutional leadership within the NDDC ‘Your presence here shows your commitment to improving the lives of the people of the Niger Delta through sustainable agriculture’. Dr. Abiodun explained that LIFE-ND Project a six year-old initiative supported by the Federal Government, IFAD, NDDC and the participating State Governments seek to transform rural communities by using an incubation model-training youth and women under experienced agribusiness mentors. The goal is to boast income, improve food security and create jobs across across the nine Niger Delta States. According to him ‘the training is not just a formality, we expect Adventium Songhai Delta Ltd our technical partners to bring in their deep expertise and experience in modern agribusiness systems. Our aim is to build skills that will directly impact food production and livelihood at the grassroots”.
Dr Abiodun Sanni said further that the training was designed to equip the NDDC personnel beneficiaries with the requisite skills and competencies for their supervisory role to drive sustainable development and ultimately improve the quality of life for the people of the Niger-Delta Region ‘Institutional strengthening of stakeholders training for the remaining NDDC states became operational last year and so far this is the first agricultural capacity building, we are doing for the benefiting states with 60 participants drawn from Akwa Ibom, Imo and Rivers states that did not benefit from the International Fund for Agriculture Development capacity training’.
‘Hopefully at the end of the first phase of the agricultural incubation training for women and youths in Akwa Ibom, Imo and Rivers we will have 12,750 beneficiaries of our LIFE-ND Project Already there are over a thousand women and youths that are currently undergoing our incubation model- incubators training the incubatees’ Dr. Sanni said.
Representative of the Niger Delta Development Commission and a Director Agriculture and Fisheries Mr. Frank Oputu Tonye who stood in for the Director Dr, Mrs Winifred Madume expressed the commitment of the Commission to the sustenance of the training project through meeting its counterpart funding. He gave an assurance that the training on modern technology in Agriculture would impact positively on the benefitting Niger Delta Communities. ‘We are in partnership with IFAD to improve the livelihood of people in the Niger-Delta Region and are piloting the project as agreed by all parties. He stressed the need for continuity. ‘Our senior directors will phase out in time. We need our younger officers to be fully equipped to take over the baton. This is not just about now, it is about preparing for the future of this programme for sustainability’ He emphasized the value of staying aligned with IFAD‘s goals noting that shared training experience improves synergy between all the parties.
In his opening remark, Mr Isaac Oghogho General Manager of Adventium Songhai Delta Ltd explained that the training is an opportunity to address real world challenges in Agriculture. ‘We will use aquaculture to evaluate broader issues in the value chains- finance, sustainability, and logistics and market access’.
At the end of the opening ceremony there was video session and discussions on Procrastination- the bane of success presented by Mr Nkem Osondu. This was followed by another video session and discussions on elevating your mindset to unlock your potentials.
The theme for the second day of the training was an Overview of the Nigeria Agricultural Sector challenges, trends and opportunities. The third day of the training programme started with the presentation and discussions on innovative Agricultural practices with emphasis on Songhai Farm Model-ZERI presented by Mr Ramos Ifowodo.’ This was followed by a presentation and discussions on Smart Farming and the Application of Technology in Agribusiness Development presented by Mr Chadril Ogbebor.
The final presentation and discussion for the day was delivered by Mr Isaac Oghogho on Climate Change and Impact on Agribusiness and this lasted for two hours. Day 4 of the training programme witnessed another presentation and discussions by Mr Isaac Oghogho on Structure and Importance of Value Chain and Market Linkages. After the tea break the training resumed with a presentation on Digital Marketing and E- Commerce for Agribusiness. After the lunch break Mrs Faith Akpevba delivered her lecture on Feed Formulation and Waste Management/ Waste to Wealth and this lasted for two hours. Day 5 witnessed a practical demonstration of Aquaculture breeding/Spawning by all the participant and this lasted for over two hours. The last presentation and discussions for the day was on Fishery and Aquaculture Development in Nigeria and was delivered by Prof Jerimoth Ekelemu.
At the end of the 5 days training programme which ended on the 26th of April 2025 many of the participants expressed their personal evaluation about the knowledge and experience acquired during the training programme. One of the participant from Delta State Mr Osamah Steven an Assistant Manager was full of kudos for LIFE-ND Project the Organisers of the programme.
According to him’ this is one of the best capacity building training I have attended. The presentations were so detailed and I was able to gather enough experience and knowledge that will help me not only to be an incubator myself but also be able to mentor others. I commend this laudable initiative by LIFE-ND Project and hope that more of such training would be organize from time to time so we can continue to update our skills on modern agricultural system’. Another participant Mrs Adefisayo Ebunoluwa a Chief Administrative Assistant Officer from the headquarters of the Commission appreciated the Federal Government, NDDC, IFAD and LIFE-ND Project for putting together this high quality capacity building programme. According to her, we appreciate this training organized by the Management of IFAD, FGN NDDC and LIFE-ND Project for this great training. I have really gained so much especially on innovative Agricultural practices. The Songhai Farm Model is really the way to go because it does not create room for waste. I cannot wait to put all that I have learnt here into practice.
A certificate of participation was presented to all the participant by the Management of Adventium Songhai Ltd.
In her closing remark the Director Agriculture and Fishery, NDDC, Dr. (Mrs) Winifred Madume expressed her profound gratitude to the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for the opportunity given to the staff to participate in the 5 days training while stating that they have gained valued knowledge and skills that will undoubtedly enhance their work in Agriculture. She commended all the staff that participated for their commitment and dedication throughout the training while urging them to ensure that all the skills and knowledge acquired are deployed to achieve the purpose and mission of the Commission.
Also in her closing remarks Mrs Ngozi Ohaechesi the head of Administration and logistic who stood in for the National Project Coordinator of LIFE –ND Project Engr. Abiodun Sanni, expressed her Management appreciation to the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari for their continuous support and encouragement for the Agricultural Initiative in the Niger-Delta Region through the LIFE-ND Project which has in no small measure helped to empower thousands of youths and women in Agribusiness thus reducing restiveness in the region. She also commended the Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for his consistent and unalloyed support in ensuring that the empowerment project permeates through every nook and cranny of the region.
The LIFE-ND Project aligns with Nigeria’s Green Alternative roadmap for Agriculture and National Strategies for youth employment and economic diversification. It is led by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and food Security with NDDC serving as Co-funder and implementing partner.
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