…Says “We’re bringing back Okpara’s agro-industrial revolution”

….Hails Gov Mbah’s proactiveness, promises communities bountiful benefits

The South East Development Commission, SEDC, says it is set to reignite the agro-industrial revolution that made the defunct Eastern Region the fastest growing economy in the world between 1954 and 1964.

The Commission said it was embarking on three Agromechanisation projects, one in each of the three senatorial zone of Enugu, Abia, Imo, Anambra, and Ebonyi State, in partnership with the state governments, starting with Enugu.

The Commission gave the assurances at Nomeh, Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State during a community engagement with leaders and stakeholders of the community on the proposed Nomeh Agromechanisation Project.

In his detailed presentation, the Executive Director, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Rural Development (NRARD) at the SEDC, Dr. Clifford Ogbede, said the project would also provide numerous direct and indirect job and business opportunities, making agriculture attractive to the youths again

Dr. Ogbede, who was represented by his Technical Adviser at Commission, Dr. Chris Uwadoka, explained that the projects would also attract local and foreign investors, giving Ndigbo in diaspora the opportunity to be part of rebuilding the South East.

“We could all recall that the Eastern Region economy was at a point rated as the fastest growing economy in the world. That means that we were ahead of many leading economies of today in term of growth. And at the root of it was agriculture, thanks to the visionary leadership of the former Premier of the region, Dr. Michael Okpara.

“So, after thorough brainstorming sessions, the SEDC came up with a blueprint to restore the region’s lost glory, starting with agriculture,” he said.

Commending Governor Mbah for his proactiveness in laying out a robust and elaborate agricultural blueprint for Enugu State, he said the Agromechanisation project would also be cited at Elugwu Akwu, Oji River LGA in Enugu West Senatorial District and Nkpologwu, Uzo Uwani LGA in Enugu North Senatorial District to the benefit of the host communities and South East.

“Governor Mbah nominated Nomeh for the programme. It is a good thing for this community because SEDC is going to bring the best possible agricultural knowledge into the territory, bring specialists, agro-entrepreneurs, improved seeds with greater yields, and support the local farmers.

“So, it is a good thing that has come to the Nomeh community. It’s something to be cheered, cheerful about.

“Also, there’s something happening amongst youth, especially in the South East. They are averse to agriculture. They are walking away from agriculture that their parents depended on because it is back-breaking.

“The labour is much, but the yield is little and you hardly have enterprises, companies that are running on the back of agricultural produce.

“Therefore, this Project is going to attract agricultural enterprises that will give employment to the youth, and give them knowledge. They will see how it is done. They will earn a living for themselves,” he added.

He strongly dismissed the notion that the Agromechanisation Project was a ploy to grab grazing lands for cattle herders.

“There is absolutely nothing like that. This is an entirely South East initiative for the benefit of the South East, then the nation. It is very untrue and not part of the blueprint,” he concluded.

In his remarks, the Enugu State Liaison Officer to the Commission, Chief Edeani Edeani, said the Federal Government and Governor Peter Mbah were determined to use agriculture to fight insecurity.

“With such massive agromechenisation projects across the South East, our spaces will be more effectively and gainfully occupied and governed. Also, the youths will be gainfully employed,” he stated.

Speaking, a community leader and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Uche Anichukwu, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the SEDC after many failed attempts by Ndigbo under previous administrations.

“I worked at the national parliament for several years, and I am very much aware of the many attempts to set up a commission without success. It was either the bill did not scale through the parliament or it was denied presidential assent. But on 24th July, 2024, President Tinubu graciously signed into law the legal framework creating the SEDC to rebuild infrastructure and serve as a platform for a coordinated regional development,” he said.

He lauded the SEDC Managing Director, Mark Okoye, and his team for launching out with agriculture as a pivot for the economic revival and growth of the region, noting that they had brought “a totally fresh approach to running regional development commissions.”

“As a community, we are most grateful to the President and Governor Peter Mbah for choosing Nomeh to host the pilot project. We do not take it for granted.”

On his part, the traditional ruler of Nomeh Unateze, HRH Igwe Israel Okonkwo Mbah, who was represented by the traditional prime minister, Chief Daniel Anikpuma, said the Nomeh Unateze Agromechanisation Project would bring back the pre-civil war glory of the community.

“It is a sort of bringing back the glory of Nomeh-Unateze, a bustling railway and agricultureal town in the past. Before the war, we had UAC, Leventis, and several other produce trading companies here. The war broke out, and everything stopped.

“Today, the SEDC and the Enugu State Government have remembered Nomeh Unateze and come with mechanised farming to reactivate our community. We believe it is going to bring massive development and we embrace it with a grateful heart,” he stated.

Likewise, the town union government of the community, speaking through Engr. Uchenna Anyanwu, threw its weight behind the project, assuring that necessary machinery would be put in place to ensure the smooth execution and security of the project.

Another community leader, Mrs. Veronica Onwude, said the project had given the people more hope, as the women, their husbands and youths would be more gainfully employed.

The General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Emmanuel Ugboaja, has died at the age of 60 after a protracted illness.

Details surrounding his death remained sketchy as of the time of filing this report.

The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, announced Ugboaja’s death to members of the Congress National Executive Council during their ongoing meeting in Enugu, Enugu State, according to Tribune newspapers.

Ajaero reportedly read a letter from the deceased’s family informing delegates of his passing.

Ugboaja, a veteran trade unionist and lawyer, had served as the NLC General Secretary since August 2019, following the ratification of his appointment by the Congress’s National Executive Council at a meeting in Kano. He succeeded the retiring Peter Ozo-Eson.

As General Secretary, Ugboaja was responsible for coordinating the administrative and strategic operations of the labour centre, including relations with the NLC’s affiliate unions, industrial relations, negotiations with government and employers, policy implementation and nationwide mobilisation.

His tenure coincided with some of the most significant confrontations between organised labour and successive governments over wages, workers’ welfare and economic policies.

One of his early major assignments was the negotiation surrounding the implementation of the N30,000 national minimum wage approved by the Federal Government in 2019. The disagreement over implementation brought the government and organised labour close to industrial action before an agreement was eventually reached.

Ugboaja remained involved in subsequent negotiations and campaigns on workers’ wages and welfare.

In April 2026, he signed an NLC directive urging workers in states that had yet to fully implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act to participate in street rallies on May Day, reflecting his role in translating the decisions of the Congress into nationwide mobilisation.

Born on May 15, 1966, Ugboaja studied Law at the University of Calabar, graduating in 1987.

He initially spent about four years in private legal practice before joining the trade union movement in 1993.

According to the NLC’s historical biography, his entry into the labour movement made him the first Nigerian lawyer to work full-time for a trade union.

He began his trade union career with the National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees, an affiliate of the NLC, where he rose to become General Secretary between 2000 and 2005.

Ugboaja later served as Coordinator, Advocacy and Mobilisation, at the Alliance for Credible Elections between 2006 and 2009, before joining the NLC Secretariat in 2009.

His death comes at a significant period for Nigeria’s labour movement, which has remained engaged with the Federal Government and state governments over the implementation of the new minimum wage, workers’ welfare and the wider economic impact of ongoing reforms.

The NLC is expected to make further statements on Ugboaja’s death and funeral arrangements.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has expressed profound sadness over the sudden death of Mr. Dotun Oladipo, a respected journalist and prominent figure in Nigeria’s media industry.

Professor Yilwatda described the passing of Dotun Oladipo as a huge loss to the Nigerian media community and the nation at large, noting that his death has created a painful void at a time when the country needs experienced, courageous and responsible voices in journalism.

The APC National Chairman said in a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, that Oladipo’s contribution to the development of Nigerian journalism, particularly his commitment to professional excellence, credible reporting and the advancement of the media industry, would remain indelible.

“Dotun Oladipo was not merely a journalist; he was a committed professional who understood the enormous responsibility of the media to society. His sudden departure is deeply painful and has understandably thrown the Nigerian media industry into mourning.

“He brought professionalism, courage and intellectual depth to his work and remained committed to the ideals of journalism as an instrument for informing citizens, holding institutions accountable and strengthening democracy.

“His death is a significant loss not only to his family, colleagues and friends, but also to Nigeria’s democratic project and the broader media community.”

Professor Yilwatda commiserated with Oladipo’s family, colleagues, friends and the entire Nigerian media fraternity, urging them to take solace in the enduring legacy he left behind.

He prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and give his family and loved ones the strength and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“On behalf of my family, the leadership and members of the All Progressives Congress, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Dotun Oladipo and the entire Nigerian media. May God grant him eternal rest and comfort all those he left behind,” the APC National Chairman said.