..... Commend him for his efforts to support Farmers in Imo state.
The Hope Farmers Movement, a cooperative society domiciled in Imo with spread across the 27 LGAs, has paid a solidarity visit to Chief Ezekiel Chukwukere, the SA to Govenor Hope Uzodinma, on University of Agriculture and Environmental sciences Umuagwo. The visit was to intimate him of the progress, they have made so far, at ensuring that there is food security in the state and to also partner with him to drive the 3R mantra of Senator Hope Uzodinma towards making Imo a prosperous state. The establishment of a mass movement of farmers in Imo state is coming at an "auspicious time, when confidence in the electorate for political leaders is at its lowest ebb. The group intends to galvanize support and actually participate in all their capacities within it's reach to achieve the lofty goal that will see the ascendency to power of not just any man, but one with proven track record like Govenor Hope Uzodinma.
In his opening remarks the leader of the group, Amb. Innocent Dike, who is also the chairman of cocoa farmers association in Imo state, thanked Chief Ezekiel Chukwukere who is their BOT Chairman and Chief strategist for his proactive efforts to showcase that Imo state government means well for the people. He stressed that the aims and objectives of the group is to form a formidable structure made up of rural farmers and stakeholders that will stand firm to support and defend the political aspiration of, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma. This he said is will be a pivotal force before, during and after election, in form of networking and systematic approach towards reaching those at the rural areas of Imo state. Continuing, Amb. Dike stressed that the movement is a rallying point for all farmers and source of information gathering and dissemination, which will also play the role of mouthpiece and arrow-head that will champion the aspirations and streamline the support of farmers in the state, thereby providing an avenue that promotes modern farming and training of our youths on best agricultural practices.
Amb. Dike further stated that the group will serve as the source for promoting the ideals of good governance, human capital development and infrastructural development for which, distinguish Senator Hope Uzodinma stands for, which will be to collect data and embark on serious enlightenment campaign, that will have a tricking down effect on farmers and their business of food production, as they will mobilize farmers at the grassroots.
He pleaded for infrastructural development to enable farmers bring out their produce for sell in the market, as he also urged the Special Adviser to look into the issue of the #5B Agriculture palliative from Imo state government on how to cushion the effects of subsidy removal on fuell, so that Hope Farmers Movement, will be a beneficiary as all the various famers associations in Imo are represented in the organization. He lamented that in the past, most appointments have not favoured farmers because those appointed were not farmers, he therefore called on him to change the narrative, to ensure credible representation of farmers in the state. He said "because of this partnership which Chief Ezekiel Chukwukere has adopted that farmers in Imo who are over 70% in the rural area will vote massively for Senator Hope Uzodinma and will also believe that he will reciprocate the gesture by looking into their areas of need."
He further thanked the friendly SA, popularly known as I know this Man, and stressed that the association was formed to harness all famers associations in Imo state, so that they can echo support for the re election of Governor Hope Uzodinma, through door to door approach, the social media, physical meetings, grassroots mobilization, open air sensitization, community service work, among others.
He therefore tasked the SA to also look at avenues to empower farmers in the state through empowerment training workshops which will go a long way to form the required synergy with them and the government of Imo state.
In his response, Chief Ezekiel Chukwukere, thanked them for finding time to come out and pay him solidarity visit. He stressed that Gov Hope Uzodinma in his first tenure has performed creditably, going by the standard of infrastructure, and development of key sectors of the state's economy, which has created an enabling environment for farming,trade and commercial activities in the state, despite the fact that there was covid19, insecurity and all manner of distractions, aimed at making him not to do the job. But unfortunately for them, he delivered, and even surpassed their expectations in all fronts. He also informed them that he will look into their request and will also present same to the governor to look into. He therefore informed them that the government of Imo has slashed tuition fee by 50% at University of Agriculture and Environmental sciences Umuagwo, and urged them to key into the 3R mantra of the state government. He stressed that farmers in Imo should work with the governor as he has the capability to deliver, because he has done it before and is bent on continuing with the momentum in his second tenure, as his second tenure will be better than his first tenure.
The state secretary of Hope Famers Movement, Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Njoku, however thanked the Special Adviser for his genuine efforts in showcasing what the governor is doing in the state, as many don't even know that there is 50% reduction in tuition fee. He therefore called on famers in the state, especially those at the rural areas to support the administration and re-election of Senator Hope Uzodinma so that he will continue with his good works in the state.