The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) National Programme Coordinator (NPC) Dr Fatima Aliyu has sought unity among Nigerians as she bagged a chieftaincy title in Ebonyi.
Aliyu who was conferred with the chieftaincy title of "Nne na-Edozi Obodo (The Mother who Develops the Community) of Amike autonomous community of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on Tuesday, said the nation's diversity should unite its people.
The NPC urged Nigerians to be one another's keepers no matter the region of the country they hail from.
"I feel highly honoured by this title and promise to do more for the community being a part of it presently.
"We feel gratified that the community appreciates IFAD--VCDP's positive impact on it which made it also confer a chieftaincy title on our State Programme Coordinator (SPC) Chief Sunday Ituma," she said.
She said the programme was operating in eight LGAs of the state and was satisfied with the impact made in its people.
"We would continue enhancing the food security and income of small holder farmers involved in the rice and cassava value chains, sustainably.
"My affinity with Ebonyi has grown tremendously as I visited a fortnight ago for the distribution of farm inputs to benefiting farmers for dry season farming.
"The governor who was represented by his wife expressed pleasure with our interventions in the state so did all the dignatories present at the occasion."
The State Programme Coordinator of IFAD--VCDP, Chief Sunday Ituma who was given the chieftaincy title of "Mmiri Oma na-agbara Oga" (The good water that runs for the people) said he and the NPC were honoured due to the programme's impact on the community and its people.
"The community has benefited in rural infrastructure such as culvert, mini-bridges, market development among others.
"We are honoured to have the NPC in Ebonyi for the second time in a fortnight as this is a rare privilege.
"The NPC's presence will inspire us to do more in actualising the programme's objectives in the state."
The Traditional Ruler of the community, HRH Mike Nwankwo used the occasion to confer chieftaincy titles on well-meaning individuals from the community, Ohaukwu LGA, Ebonyi and other parts of the country.
