Edo State Contributes N147 Million as Counterpart Fund for LIFE-ND Agricultural Project

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has allocated N147 million as counterpart funds for the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project for the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND).

Mr. John Omoruyi, the state Project Coordinator, revealed this information during a discussion with journalists in Benin City on Monday.

The LIFE-ND project is currently underway in Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Ondo states.

Omoruyi clarified that the allocation of N147 million as counterpart funds will facilitate access to funds for the ongoing rural economic transformation through agribusiness in the state. He also emphasized that this initiative by the Obaseki administration will not only contribute to economic growth, but also improve food security, alleviate poverty, and empower rural communities in the state.

According to him, “So far, the state through the project has created jobs for 2,348 women and youth enterprises out of the targeted 4,250 across the 10 participating Local Government Areas and 100 communities across the state.

“The release of this counterpart fund will further create employment for over 2,500 women and youths targeted for 2024, while also boosting agricultural productivity and value addition across four commodities’ of rice, cassava, poultry and fishery value chains.

“Governor Obaseki has done well to restate his commitment to sustainable development of the agricultural sector by promoting modern farming techniques, supporting smallholders farmers, encouraging value addition and fostering agribusiness innovations” he said.

It would be recalled that the National Coordinator of the programme, Mr Sanni Abiodun few days ago commended Obaseki for the payment of N147 million counterpart funds.

He identified the state governor as the first governor to pay its counterpart fund up to date among the six participating states of the project and that the counterpart fund was meant for years 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively.

He urged other participating states to emulate the gesture of Edo State stating that the LIFE-ND, directly supports Nigeria’s agricultural policy and the strategic framework for youth employment and job creation.