LIFE-ND launches agribusiness innovative forum in Abia State communities

The Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises, Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), has launched the LIFE-ND Agribusiness Innovative Forum (LAbIF) in some communities in different local government areas in Abia state.

The LAbIF executives were elected and inaugurated in various communities of Obingwa, Isiala Ngwa South, Aba South, Bende and other LGAs in the state.

LIFE-ND is being funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigeria Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

It is designed for the economic empowerment of youths, women-headed households and persons with disabilities, and to boost food security in the Niger Delta states.

The Chairman of LAbIF, Abia, Mr Clement Ikoro, said that LAbIF was being established at the local government and communities after its launch at the state and national levels.

Ikoro said that LAbIF was an intervention by LIFE-ND project to maintain the effectiveness of beneficiaries who had been greatly empowered after the exit of LIFE-ND.

He said that LAbIF activities cut across the three senatorial zones of Abia Central, Abia North and Abia South, that the LIFE-ND project was working in.

“We have started going to local government areas to establish LAbIF executives and we hope do so in the 10 LGAs and 100 communities in Abia that LIFE-ND is covering.

“LAbIF is a self-sustaining organisation and we are working towards establishing LAbIF Microfinance Banks, but LIFE-ND is supporting us for now,” he said.

LIFE-ND Project Coordinator in Abia, Dr Uchenna Onyeizu, described LAbIF as one of many platforms created to ensure LIFE-ND’s sustainability and exit plan.

He said that LAbIF was created to carry on what LIFE-ND had been able to start as a project within the past five years, especially within the communities it had been able to intervene.

Onyeizu explained that the first phase of LIFE-ND project would round off by March, while the second phase that would empower about 6,000 new farmers across the state for the next two years, would start almost immediately.

“We have been able to establish LAbIF at the state level and now doing so at the local government and community levels, especially in those places that LIFE-ND is actively involved in.

“LAbIF identified individuals and organisations within the LIFE-ND value chain, and we hope that its establishment will be extended to all communities in the state,” he said.

Also, Mr Anthony Nwaobilor, the Rural Institution, Youth and Gender Officer, LIFE-ND, Abia, said that the forum sought to bring all actors together, including the producers, off takers, input suppliers and government agencies.

Nwaobilor, who supervised the LAbIF launch in communities in Osisioma and Isiala Ngwa LGAs, said that LAbIF would ensure efficient and effective management of agricultural practices in those communities.

Responding, Mr Godswill, the new leader of LAbIF in Obingwa Obi in Isiala Ngwa LGA, expressed gratitude to LIFE-ND and vowed to guard its projects in the community.

Also, Mrs Violet Ogbonna, a LIFE-ND beneficiary and member of LAbIF, promised to ensure sustainability of the water reticulation project built in her place, as well as other LIFE-ND projects in Obingwa Obi community.

NAN / Foluke Ibitomi