…Partnership Targets Farm Estates, Rural Infrastructure, and Sustainable Growth Across Abia
A high-powered delegation from the South East Development Commission (SEDC) has visited the Abia State Ministry of Agriculture to deepen collaborative efforts aimed at accelerating agricultural transformation and rural development across the State.
The delegation, led by Dr. Cliff Ogbede, Executive Director of Natural Resource, Agriculture and Rural Development (NRARD), said the visit aligns fully with the SEDC’s operational mandate. The Commission was inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on January 11, 2025, to address long-standing developmental challenges and infrastructural deficits across the South-East.
Dr. Ogbede noted that the SEDC is committed to working closely with state governments—especially Abia, which he described as “strategically positioned for agricultural expansion under Governor Alex Otti’s purposeful leadership.” He highlighted that the Commission is particularly interested in supporting farm estates mapped out by the Abia State Government across the three senatorial zones.
Key Areas of Collaboration Identified
According to Dr. Ogbede, the partnership will prioritise:
- Road mapping and rural infrastructure development
- Technical collaboration and capacity strengthening
- Counterpart funding and resource alignment
- Support for plantation enhancement and value-chain growth
“These interventions will unlock productivity, strengthen food systems, and empower rural communities,” he said.
Abia Reaffirms Commitment to Agricultural Renaissance
Responding, the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, FCIB, commended the SEDC for its proactive engagement and reaffirmed Abia’s commitment to accelerating growth in the agricultural sector.
He noted that Governor Otti is determined to bridge decades-long developmental gaps while building on the legacies of notable Eastern Region leaders — Dr. Michael Okpara and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
According to the Commissioner, Abia’s agricultural blueprint prioritizes improvement of existing farm plantations rather than acquisition of new land, a model designed to strengthen relations with host communities and promote sustainable, inclusive development.
Ministry Officials Pledge Full Cooperation
Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Ijeoma Adanma Aguwa, PhD, applauded the Commission’s visit and pledged the Ministry’s full support to ensure results-driven collaboration.
Also speaking, the State Director of Lands, ESV Mong Uduma, affirmed readiness to provide technical assistance, while the representative of the Acting Surveyor-General, Samuel O. Titilaye, underscored the strategic importance of accurate land mapping in the emerging partnership.
Delegation Members
Abia State Government Officials
- Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, FCIB – Commissioner for Agriculture
- Mrs. Ijeoma Adanma Aguwa, PhD – Permanent Secretary
- Dr. Ojo Uma Ojo – State Director of Agriculture
- ESV Mong Uduma – State Director of Lands
- Samuel O. Titilaye – Representative of Acting Surveyor-General
- ESV Ucheibe A. O. – Community Liaison Officer
- ESV Ikpa Kelechi U. – Principal Land Officer
SEDC Delegation
- Dr. Cliff Ogbede – Executive Director, NRARD
- Engr. Dr. Charles Ajah – Consultant
- Amb. Dr. Timothy Ihemadu – Consultant
- Mr. Nnamdi Umunakwe – Programme Officer
- Mr. Olugbenga Fashola
Towards a South-East Agricultural Rebirth
The visit marks a major milestone in the rollout of SEDC’s agricultural interventions across the South-East. With Abia already implementing an ambitious agricultural revitalization plan, the partnership is expected to accelerate rural development, boost productivity, and position the State as a leading agro-industrial hub in the region.
Both institutions expressed optimism that the collaboration would deliver tangible improvements in food production, value-chain development, rural infrastructure, and community welfare.
