BY GODWIN IJEDIOGOR
THE Delta State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Val Arenyeka, on Wednesday, September 18, urged journalists to get involved in farming, saying the only way to address the current food shortage and ensure food security in Nigeria was for everybody, including journalists, to engage in farming.
Arenyeka said agriculture has evolved from manual to technology-driven, adding that it was the responsibility of Nigerians to feed themselves and not to depend on other countries.
Speaking when the executives and members of the Asaba Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) paid him a courtesy visit at the state secretariat in Asaba, the commissioner said the state’s empowerment programme through the Ministry of Agriculture would cover those who are involved in farming, including journalist who are directly involved in small scale farming in the state.
Arenyeka stated: “I am happy you said you want to continue to partner with us. We are happy, because we need you to get this message to the people.
“On the issue of empowerment, this ministry is ready to empower you, but you know that what we do is farming, so I want each of you to have at least a small farm in your backyards.
“That’s the only way you can get empowered and as Nigerians and Delta citizens or residents, you will be empowered if you farm with us.”
On the issues of criminality and herders/farmers clashes, he said even though that is within the domain of the Federal Government to address, “as a state, we have earlier recruited 50 DSLMO and now we are engaging additional 70 officer to monitor farming activities across the 25 local government areas to ensure a seamless farming activities across the state,.
“But I think those who are involved in the herders/farmers crisis are pure criminal elements pretending to be herders or farmers.”
The commissioner assured that his doors were open to journalists, while urging them to always crosscheck their information with the ministry for proper balancing of reports before going to the press.
Earlier, Chairman of the Chapel, Comrade Ifeanyi Olannye, said the visit was to congratulate the commissioner on his recent appointment and to also strengthen partnership with the ministry in the coverage of its activities.
He urged the commissioner to explore and deploy all resources towards attaining food security and the jobs creation mandate in line with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E Agenda .
Olannye also urged Arenyeka to involve journalist in its activities and empowerment programmes, as hunger does not respect tribe, gender, language, profession or political affiliation.
