Group seeks partnership for sustainable agricultural practices, environmental stewardship

By Ani Michael

A Non Governmental Organization, Network Advancement Program for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reduction (NAPPDRR), on Wednesday, April 23, was at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Eket Local Government, His Royal Majesty, Obong ECD Abia on an advocacy visit to the wife of the monarch, Her Majesty, Obonganwan Mandu ECD Abia.

The group’s advocacy visit led by the Executive Director of NAPPDRR, Hon. Emem Edoho, sought the wife of the paramount ruler’s collaboration and partnership towards promoting sustainable agricultural practices, green economy, and environmental stewardship in Eket.

Emem Edoho, reiterated the importance of agriculture to humans and environment, noting that apart from farming for food sufficiency, agriculture provides substantial income to families and the nation, urging people to engage and take agriculture seriously.

“Nowadays, yam, cucumber, watermelon, pepper, onions and other edible crops can be planted in our compound. Inability to acquire large farmland should not be an excuse. Bags and pails can be used in planting any crop”.

‘We’re excited to work together with traditional leaders, community stakeholders and women leaders to promote sustainable agriculture practices, and foster green economy initiatives enhance environmental”, he said.

Hon. Emem Edoho, called on Obonganwan Mandu ECD Abia to encourage women in Eket to go into agriculture. He also used the advocacy’s visit and announced the
launching of the group’s Empower2Sustain Project in Akwa Ibom host communities, tagged “on agroecology, food sovereignty & climate justice”, scheduled for June 10, 2025 at Merafany Sport Lounge, Ikot Udoma, Eket by 9am and commended Global Greengrants Fund and Oil Watch Africa for funding the program.

Helen Bassey Eyo, NAPPDRR Program Team Lead, Environment, Climate and Gender Justice, emphasized the need by groups and government to create awareness on agriculture and tree planting as essential to food sovereignty and environmental protection, saying that pests and other harmful insects can be controlled locally in farmlands and our environment.

Responding, Her Majesty, Obonganwan Mandu ECD Abia, commended Network Advancement Program for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reduction (NAPPDRR), for their thrives in making the environment to more habitable through advocacy and enlightenment programs.

She promised to collaborate and partner with NAPPDRR in ensuring that women in the area are sensitized.

On the NAPPDRR delegation to the Palace of the Paramount Ruler of Eket were Hon. Emem Edoho, Executive Director NAPPDRR, Helen Bassey Eyo Program Team Lead, Environment, Climate and Gender Justice, Otobong Edoho, Information, Research & Planning Officer and Kufre Edet, Finance & Account Officer.