High hopes for S’East women as IWA holds agro export summit in Enugu
* NEPC, BOI, others pledge support
* Mobilise women for commercial farming
By Steve Oko
Hope beams for women in South East as Igbo Women Assembly, IWA, has commenced sensitisation on the export of agricultural produce from the region to different global markets where they are needed.
IWA gathered over 300 women from the five states of the South East in Enugu last week for a two-day agro-export summit where experts and stakeholders in the sector made presentations.
Wawa News Global reports that some of the stakeholders who look time to educate the enthusiastic women included delegations from the Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Bank of Industry, experts from the National Root Corps Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike; the academics as well as commercial banks.
Addressing the women, South East Regional Coordinator of Nigeria Export Promotion Council, NEPC, Mr MacPherson Aideloje Fred-Ileogben, said the council was willing to assist women from the South East to export their farm produce to the international market.
He noted that women from South East are very enterprising and assured that the Council would provide them with the necessary assistance including relevant trade information to enable them earn more money from their toils.
The NEPC boss who said farm produce from South East and other parts of Nigeria are ‘hot cake’ in different nations of the world, challenged women to form cooperative societies to maximize the numerous opportunities in the sector.
He said that raw cashew nuts produced in large quantities in many states of the South East are highly needed in Vietnam, just as palm oil also produced in the zone, is in high demand in Europe and American markets
Other staple crops in the South East needed in the global market include: vegetables especially scent leaves, bitter leaves, ugu leaves and okra (highly needed in Europe); Nsukka pepper needed in Asia and Europe; cocoa, bitter kola and hibiscus flour also in high demand in Mexico, and European markets.
” I saw bitter kola at your exhibition table outside there but I can tell you that five pieces of bitter kola are sold for $5 in US. Palm oil is also in high demand in US.
S’East Chairman of Cassava farmers association, HRH Eze Philip Ajomiwe, behind him is IWA PRO, Mrs Nonye
” There are many products from the South East that are needed in the global market. Form cooperative societies and we will assist you and connect you to women owned businesses in the global market. We will partner IWA to take you out of poverty “.
On how to participate in the export value chain, the NEPC boss said:” It’s either you are producing and exporting; buying as a merchant and exporting; or you become an agent of brokers connecting them with producers and earn your commission”.
He said women “can unleash their potential on export of agricultural produce and have better economic empowerment.”
The NEPC boss, further promised the assistance of the council to women willing to engage in agro export, get the internationally – recognized certification for their products to gain acceptance in the global market.
” We are doing that free of charge once we see their products, and they meet established criteria, we support them”, he enthused.
Fred -Ileogben who noted that Nigeria’s non-oil export performance in the first quarter of 2024 was encouraging, expressed optimism that the record would be doubled before the end of the year.
On its part, the Bank of Industry team led by the Executive Director, Large Enterprises, Mrs Ifeoma Uzo, informed the women of the various funds for investors willing to engage in industrial activities.
Mrs Uzo-Okpala who commended the doggedness and enterprising spirit of Igbo women, promised the assistance of the bank to willingly investors.
She, however, said the bank would be willing to do business with those engaged in processing of agricultural produce before exporting them.
Earlier in her remarks, the National President of IWA, Lolo Nneka Chimezie, said her goal in organizing the summit was to expose thousands of Igbo women to various existing opportunities in the export of agricultural produce, and ultimately take them out of poverty.
Mrs Nneka who decried the poor condition of Igbo women especially rural dwellers, in the face of the economic hardship, urged them to take advantage of the summit to earn a better living.
She appealed to Igbo leaders especially South East Governors to support the efforts of IWA to better the lots of women in the South East.
Lolo Nneka particularly appealed to the Governors to make available, at least 200 hectares of farm land for women in their respective states for massive farming of various crops in high demand in the global market.
She said that the intention of IWA “is to engage 50, 000 South East women” annually in commercial farming, adding that the multiplier effect will create millions of job in the agric and agro export value chain.
” Our aim is to empower Igbo women to be economic giants and stop depending solely on their husbands or look outside. We want our women who are very industrious to key into the abundant opportunities in agro export sector and earn a better living.”
Lolo Nneka also appealed to Igbo investors to join the on-going efforts to develop the South East by bringing their investments at home to revive and grow the economy of the zone.
She lamented the harmful effects of the continued migration of youths from the zone due to lack of job opportunities and insecurity which she accused the Federal Government of masterminding to depopulate the zone.
According to her, population is the secret of growth of any economy, arguing that if the necessary conducive atmosphere is created in the South East, many of the youths who fled the zone would return to invest at home.
She also appealed to Ndigbo everywhere to promote their language and culture, arguing that any people without language have lost their identity.
The IWA President also called for the sustenance of Igbo apprenticeship concept which according to her, has become the envy of other tribes.
Lolo Chimezie who regretted the non-challancy of the political class on issues of importance to the masses, challenged the wealthy to begin to invest in people especially the youths.
” Igbo land was developed by traders and not the educated class. I want our apprentice concept to be sustained. The rich must start to invest in our youths. Our Governors must begin to create the needed environment that will make these youths escaping to other lands to stay back and help develop Ala Igbo. Population drives development”.
Speaking at the summit, Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Enugu State, Mrs Ngozi Enih, thanked IWA for the vision and its efforts to promote Igbo language.
The Commissioner who noted that Igbo language is now being taught in Harvard University, disclosed that Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, had directed the teaching of Igbo language to pupils from three years.
She pledged the support of Enugu State Government to IWA to actualise its dreams, adding that engagement of women in agro export will enhance their economic capacity.
The Commissioner, however, advised women against maltreating their house helps and their husband’s apprentice.
Noting that Nigeria grown farm produce is luxury in foreign markets, the Commissioner encouraged women to venture into the export sector.
Chairman of the summit and former Vice Chancellor, Imo State University, Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie, commended IWA for the vision and called on Igbo women to key into the project.
He said that Nigeria had enough arable farm land to feed her citizens but regretted that many Nigerians are still starving.
The former VC, therefore, called for a return to green revolution propagated by the late Premier of Eastern Nigeria, Dr Michael Okpara.
Former Senate President Senator Adolphus Wabara, who was a special guest at the event, thanked IWA for its efforts to empower Igbo women through trade information.
Senator Wabara who was represented by the President of Cassava farmers association, South East, HRM Eze Philip Ajomiwe, said women involvement in agriculture would help better the lots of many.
He appealed to South East Governors and other stakeholders to help women engage in mechanized farming so as to have enough for both local consumption and export.
Another Special Guest, Professor Stella Okunna, former Information Commissioner, Anambra State, called on women in South East to maximize the opportunity to enhance their economic status and complement the efforts of their husbands.
She also commended IWA for its various efforts to develop South East, describing the summit as “very timely”.
Professor Chidozie Chukwuokolo of Ebonyi State University, also made a presentation at the summit.
Some of the participants including Mrs Noye Aduba who attended from Lagos, Mrs Njide Egbu, Enugu; Immaculate Onuowu from Ebonyi, Mrs Nwomiko Nwachukwu, among others described the summit as very enriching.
The summit attended by participants from all five states in the South East, also featured exhibition, cultural dances, round table discussion, among other varieties.
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