Christopher Odamah, Asaba
The Poultry Association of Nigeria, Delta State Chapter has presented Six Hundred Crates of Fresh Eggs to Fifty-One Orphanage Homes across the three senatorial districts in the State.
Speaking in Asaba during the occasion of the flagged-off Ceremony of the Free Six Hundred Crates of Eggs donated to the Delta State Orphanage Homes, the State Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria, Chief Eric Tomfawei, said this palliative support to farmers is to cushion the effect of high cost of feed that is bedeviling the livestock industry.
Presenting the eggs to the State Orphanage Homes, Tomfawei said this event is to formally thank the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori for supporting the Poultry farmers with maize palliative, says the State Govt’s maize palliative impactful.
He reiterated the Association’s appeal to look into the state of insecurity affecting some parts of the state and also empower true, genuine farmers for increase productivity.
In his words, “February 1, and June 13, 2024, members of Poultry Association of Nigeria, Delta State Chapter, received 448 tonnes and 60 tonnes of palliative maize respectively from the Delta State Government to cushion the effect as a way of supporting poultry farmers in the state”
“We promised His Excellency to give back 600 crates of eggs during the 2nd flagged-off of palliatives to Deltans, saying it is wise to give back to the society. The 600 crates of eggs which we are giving to these orphanage homes across the State, beginning from today, is part of the produce from the maize palliative we received from the State Government. Today, we have fulfilled that promise,” he added.
The State PAN Chairman said this initiative was an offshoot from the last palliative, Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) got from the State Government on February 1. Delta State farmers have the capacity to feed the State.
According to him, “It is important to states that it was on the directive of Delta State Government that the Association should distribute the eggs to Orphanage Homes across the State. We invited only fifteen (15) Orphanage Homes to this flagged-off due to logistics challenges. Those who are not here will receive their allocations through their respective LGA PAN Executives”.
This ceremony, he said has come to demonstrate that with the right support to poultry farmers, eggs can be given free of charge to the poor and vulnerable persons especially children in our society. This is what this administration of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has proved that the poor can eat eggs.
I have directed all LGA PAN Chairmen to ensure that, the listed Orphanage Homes that will benefit from the free eggs should sign our delivery note upon receiving their allocations as the signed document would be presented to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) for record purposes.
He used the opportunity to appreciate the Palliative Committee for it’s due diligence in the distribution of the first phase of the maize palliative. Special thanks to the Chairman of the Palliative Committee, Dr. Kingsley Emu for always giving the Association listening ears when we cry to him.
While humbly appealing to the Chairman of the Palliative Committee and indeed, His Excellency, for an upward review of the quantity of maize allocated to PAN during the second phase of the palliative exercise. Out of the 18,707 bags of 50kg sacks of maize announced by His Excellency, at the flag-off, only 1,200 bags were given to the Association. This figure represents 6.4 percent of the total amount of maize received by the State. Your Excellency Sir, Delta State PAN controls over 85 percent of the Poultry industry in the State. During the first phase of the palliative exercise, small holder farmers were mostly considered, which indeed was the intent of the palliative program. However, this was not the case with the second phase, as only about 20 percent of our members benefitted. Your Excellency Sir, we humbly request that this allocation should be looked into and looking forward to getting a favourable response Sir
Also speaking is the Honourable Commissioner of Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Michael Osuoza, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Theresa Adiabua-Oliko.
He said, “We are gathered here to witness the formal presentation of 600 crates of eggs to 51 Orphanage Homes in the State by Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Delta State Chapter through the State Government on account of palliative support to farmers.”
The Delta State Government, he posited is appreciative of this kind gesture by PAN in keying into the MORE Agenda which is the compass of the State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori by providing the enormous palliative support to 51 Orphanage Homes across the State.
This gesture, he added is a way of reciprocating the State Government’s good gestures. Governance should be by collective efforts. The Government and Citizens, should mutually support each other in a circle of progress.
On behalf of the State Government, I want to wholeheartedly thank the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) for this kind gesture and to encourage other Associations to key into the vision of this administration to encourage a more prosperous Delta.
Let me also appreciate the State PAN Chairman, Chief Eric Tomfawei and Vice-Chairman, Dr. Emmanuela Clinton for their efforts in making this event a reality.
He also said that, I will like to charge the Orphanage Homes beneficiaries to utilize this support judiciously by using it for the original purpose. I am thanking you for coming and may God bless Delta State.
Responding on behalf of the State Government, the Special Adviser, Special Duties, Governor’s Office; Mr. Chuks Ojei said it is a welcome development to having an organisation like Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) doing such gesture to Children in Delta State Orphanage Homes.
He also said that it’s a beautiful things especially the challenges faced by Nigerians due to the prevailing economic hardship in the country. How many organisations can come out to donate such quantities of gift items to the needy, vulnerable? I am bless to be part of this palliative support programme.
Ojei used this medium to call on other organisations to emulate Poultry Association of Nigeria greatly. Nothing is too small even if it is cassava stem, allow it to come from your heart. It is a goodwill from God Almighty and a kind gesture from human beings. It’s good to let Deltans know that people care about the vulnerable’s plight.
A beneficiary, Dr (Mrs.) Q.N. Nwaodua, who represented Rev. Fr. Mario David Dibie Lumen Christi Family Orphanage, Asaba, spoke on behalf of others said, I am so glad to be here, trying to enhance children’s feeding is appreciative because we know what it takes to take care of them. It is worthwhile!
