The Federal Government of Nigeria/ International Fund for Agricultural Development assisted Value Chain Development Programme (FGN/ IFAD—VCDP) has distributed empowerment items to benefiting People With Disabilities (PWDs) in Ebonyi state.
The State Programme Coordinator (SPC) of FGN/ IFAD—VCDP, Chief Sunday Ituma said that though the programme has been supporting farmers through various interventions, it gives special support to the PWDs. christened “People With Determination”.
Ituma said the programme encourages the PWDs not to see their physical conditions as barrier to achieving greatness in life, as they can still attain every desired status in life.
“We are empowering you to stand financially because we believe that it is not necessarily how big the support is, instead aim big but start small.
“The programme conducted necessary Needs Assessment before supporting you with the items as the Rural Institution Gender Youth Mainstreaming Officer (RIGYMO) was mandated to call you individually to ascertain your actual needs.
“The items given to you might not be up to what you desire but it is meant to jump–start you to attain economic vialbility.”
The SPC noted that the support was to enable the beneficiaries grow in their various businesses and advised them to make judicious use of the items.
“We expect that by the time we come to assess how far you have faired next year, we would get encouraging results of how you have succeeded in your various businesses.”.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Ebonyi, Mrs Nkechinyere Iyioku, thanked the FGN/ IFAD–VCDP for its various interventions which have greatly supported farmers in the state.
Iyioku represented by the Director of Livestock and Fisheries in the ministry, Mrs Ngozi–Emeka Anosike urged the beneficiries to thank God for the gift of the FGN/ IFAD–VCDP which has been used to empower them and make them economically sel-sustaining.
“You did not succumb to societal pressure occasioned by your physical conditions but stood tall and reaping the fruit now .
“I tbank the wonder working Governor of Ebonyi state, Rt. Hon Francis Nwifuru for his support to the FGN/ IFAD—VCDP which has brought several life-enriching interventions to Ebonyi farners.
“I also thank the SPC of FGN/ IFAD–VCDP in the state; a man who knows how to do what he knows best and the management for their sterling works in the state agricultural sector,.”
The RIGYMO of the FGN/ IFAD—VCDP in Ebonyi, Mrs Fransisca Anya said the day was special for the PWDs as it shows the programme has them in mind and committed towards uplifting them.
Anya advised the beneficiries to make judicious use of the items so that there would positive outcomes and reports when the programme comes to asses their performances.
“Those who got one–stop agro food shop for instance should not consume them but use them as starting points to successful business endeavours.”
Mr Patrick Udu, a beneficiary from Edda Local Government Area (LGA) thanked the programme for remembering them in their time of need and pledged to judiciously utilise the items.
The items distributed to the PWDs include: bags of general purpose grinding machines, one–stop agro food shop, cassava pounder, generators, Point of Sales (POS) machines etc .
