Traditional ruler, Chiefs want youths to embrace agriculture in Bayelsa.
NAN-AE-1
Youth
By Christian Ogbonna
Okpotuwari (Bayelsa), Jan. 13, 2017 (NAN) A traditional Ruler and some titled chiefs in Bayelsa have advised youths in the state to embrace agriculture and shun criminality to move Nigeria forward.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Okpotuwari Community, Southern-Ijaw Local Government Area on Friday that the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) project in the state was commendable.
They said that agriculture could enrich a society than oil and gas, stressing that they support the Federal Government initiative to achieve food security in the country.
The Acting Paramount Ruler of Okpotuwari Community, Moses Tiger,who decried the spate of restiveness among youths, said crime-free environment could grow the economy.
Tiger described agribusiness as lucrative, and urged youths in Okpotuwari community and the entire Niger-Delta region to shun criminality.
“I commend the rice farmers for what they are doing for us and our generations to come, but for us to benefit enormously from this rice farming project, the youths have to embrace peace.
“Okpotuwari is a peace loving community, so, as we have given RIFAN 5,000 hectares of land, let us partner with them on rice cultivation.
“They have promised to engage our youths to work on the land, so, the youths should eschew militancy and cultism,” he said.
Mr Stephen Ovayebewho, a Chief in Ofoni, Sagbama Local Government Area, also described agriculture as good business, and urged the youths to support the RIFAN’s project.
NAN recalls that RIFAN had acquired 5,000 hectares of land each from eight communities in Bayelsa, including Ofoni, Okpotuwari, Ayamasa, among others.
The acquisition of the lands are aimed at boosting rice cultivation in Bayelsa as well as empowering the youths through agriculture.
Ovayebewho, however decried pipeline vandalism and cultism in the Niger-Delta region, and said they were dangerous business that could kill and destroy.
He noted that RIFAN’s project was a welcome development.
Douye Ayangba, a Chief, urged the three tiers of governments to be proactive to ensure that the youths were empowered through agriculture.
In his response, Mr Ezekiel Ogbianko, state Chairman of RIFAN assured that the rice farming project was targeted at driving the nation’s economy. (NAN)
OOC/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha