ASABA/Nigeria: The Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has restated the need to focus and re-energizing the agricultural sector of the nation’s economy.
Governor Okowa who made the call at this year’s Forum of the Agriculture and Allied Employees Union of Nigeria (AAEUN), said that the agriculture sector was an important sector and one of the boosters of the nation.
The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on SERVICOM and Labour Relations, Comrade Mike Okeme, said his administration SMART Agenda placed greater emphasis on agriculture and entrepreneurship, which he noted was aimed at mobilizing the youths towards gainful employment and job creation.
He said that the state government had engaged a lot of jobless youths in the state in different sectors, departments and programmes in agriculture in Delta state.
The Chairman of the Forum, Dr Bartholomew Nyalas, commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the synergy and inter-labour relationship as well as his commitment to the welfare of civil servants in the state.
He said that Delta state was a key driver in the agricultural sector and maintained that there was need for all hands to be on deck, calling for AAEUN members to be involved in the decision making process that affect agriculture development in states and the national at large.
In her key note address, the Delta State Chairman of AAEUN, Comrade Pamela Gbemudu also commended Governor Okowa for facilitating the host of meeting in Delta state, adding that the exchange of ideas and knowledge at the meeting would go a long way at taking the union to a greater and higher level.
She noted that agriculture was the only business allowed by law to be embarked upon by civil servants and called on AAEUN members to take advantage of the opportunity to enhance their wellbeing and assist to grow the nations’ economy.
She further commended the efforts of the National President of AAEUN, Comrade Simon Anchare, and General Secretary, Comrade Sunday Altokhuehi towards enhancing the lives of agriculture professionals in the country through the pursuance of hazard allowance which was recently approved by the national assembly.
The meeting was attended by Chairmen of AAEUN from the different states of the country.
