EU pays Courtesy visit to Imo Commissioner for Environment

By Alex Ibeh

The European Union (EU) in Collaboration with the University of Agriculture and Environmental Science (UAES) has sought the support of Imo State Government through the Ministry of Environment to support an ongoing project “Digital Financial Solution to farmers across Imo, Kwara and ogun states.

This was disclosed by the Programme Manager, Agriculture, Green and Digital Economy Section of the European union, Mr. Hugh Briggs during a Courtesy call to the Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Barr. Major Emenike in his Office, State Secretariat, Port Harcourt road, Owerri on Thursday 7th November, 2024.

Speaking during the meeting, Mr. Briggs pointed out that European Union is committed to supporting the development of the agriculture sector.

He hinted that a major challenge faced by local farmers is climate change, which he said that the EU is very much interested and has priotised support in addressing the challenge in Nigeria.

He recounted how the EU has been impacting positively in Nigeria and it’s continued effort in contributing to the society as it relates to agriculture and and environmental issues.

According to him, European Union has been has been a strong partner to the Nigerian government for decades and has different projects across Nigeria. He however mentioned that recently, the EU under their Multi annual indicative Plan(MIP) 2021 to 2027, has priotised Agriculture as a key sector and will support the government in addressing the food insecurity crisis.

” We identified the University of Agriculture and Environmental Science UAES through a Competitive process to lead the project by building the capacity of local farmers with digital literacy through various digital solutions that will improve their farming activities and agribusiness.

“The support to local farmers will provide all the necessary information and access to finance. This will also increase productivity as the key component of the Programme.

“This further stressed that the Ministry of environment is a strategic ministry in achieving the desired goals and objectives of the project.

He however reminded them that UAES is leading two other Universities in Nigeria which includes Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta ( FUNAAB) Ogun State and Alhikma university Kwara State as partners in the Programme.

While introducing the delegation earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the UAES, Prof. Christopher Eze noted that the EU Programme Manager, Mr. Hugh Briggs visited the University to ascertain the extent of work going on and use the opportunity to pay courtesy call on the Stakeholders in the related subject field.

Prof. Eze noted that Agriculture could not be practiced outside the Environment, saying that both work hand in hand
He said,”water, Agriculture and Environment are inseparable, we need synergy to have food in the society”

“As a researcher, I found out that all the struggles of life is to maintain your environment, keep it clean and find food for your self”

In his Speech, the Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Barr Major Emenike commended the European Union for remembering Imo State.
He also thanked the Vice Chancellor for attracting such to the State.
“Among the three Universities for the Programme, Imo State was chosen to lead the other two. It shows the Capacity of the Vice Chancellor and the Management team. I know through you, the EU is remembering the State, the University was about two years when this Programme was attracted.

This is because of his person which cannot be detached from him. If not because of his capacity, we wouldn’t have been talking about this in the State.

He therefore assured them the Ministry’s Support in implementing the project.

While promising to communicate the outcome of the meeting to the Governor, he pledged the Commitment of Senator Hope Uzodimma to providing succour to Environmental Challenged areas in the State.
The acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mr. Chukwuma Iheanacho was present during the meeting while other members of the delegation were Barr. Chris Addy-Nayo, Project leader, Prof. Sebastin Onyemauwa, National Coordinator, Dr. Leo Orji, Digital Solution Expert and Director ICT, UAES