By Christian Njoku
Calabar (NAN, CONVERSEER) – Dr Sani Abiodun, National Project Coordinator (NPC) of the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), has urged 630 new LIFE-ND incubatees not to see their selection as national cake.
Abiodun, who disclosed this on Monday in Calabar during a One-Day Orientation Session of the FGN/NDDC/IFAD-assisted (LIFE-ND) Project under the additional financing programme, said they should see their selection as a life-changing opportunity.
The LIFE‑ND project is a joint initiative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
The initiative, which had run for six years in Cross River, empowering 4,370 rural youths and women, concluded in 2025 but received additional funding to continue until 2028.
Represented by Dr Chinwe Onyegbula, Liaison Officer of FGN/IFAD Country Programme Advisory Team, Abuja, he charged the new incubatees to be committed and disciplined if they must succeed.
He reminded them that success in agribusiness takes time, patience, and consistency in developing sustainable enterprises, adding that every business has an incubation period.
“We want you to see agriculture as a business, not subsistence farming; produce to sell, improve productivity, and grow your local economy,” he added.
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On his part, Mr Johnson Ebokpo, Cross River’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, who declared the orientation open, encouraged the incubatees to change their perception of agriculture as a dirty job and to embrace it as a profitable venture.
He likened the Life-ND incubation model to the Igbo apprenticeship system, where learners eventually become business owners through mentorship and practical experience.
Ebokpo announced a ₦500,000 prize for the best-performing incubatee to promote excellence and motivate participants toward outstanding agribusiness performance.
“Your success stories will become a beacon for other Niger Delta states, let us make Cross River the best-performing state,” the Commissioner declared.
Similarly, Mr Innocent Ogbin, State Project Coordinator (SPC) of the LIFE-ND Project, commended the new incubatees, noting that over 4,370 beneficiaries had been empowered previously under the LIFE-ND project since its inception.
Ogbin stated that the new phase, known as the Additional Financing Component, would run until 2028, targeting youths, women, and persons with disabilities across six Local Government Areas of Biase, Akpabuyo, Yakurr, Obubura, Ogoja and Yala.
“The success of this programme depends on your dedication and passion. You are working for yourselves and your communities,” he said.
He warned participants against selling inputs or abandoning farms after empowerment, stressing that the government would not tolerate misuse of project resources and opportunities.
Mr Bassey Emogor, Programme Manager of Agriculture Development Programme (ADP), described Life-ND as an exceptional project, emphasising that it is apolitical and focused on empowering real farmers across rural communities.
He told the incubatees to count themselves lucky and follow the Life-ND model diligently and they would not only feed their families but also become employers of labour,
“This project is not about giving millions in cash. It’s about giving you knowledge, tools, and opportunities to grow, use them wisely,” he told the beneficiaries.
