There was wild jubilation at Umukalu, Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Abia State on Thursday, 11th March, 2021 as the Executive body of Nigeria farmers from the six geo – political zones in the country stormed the country home of Bishop Dr. Emeka Nwankpa under the auspices of National Apex Farmers Cooperative Societies ( NANFACOS) LTD, to honour the Abia born ferry cleric and the General Oversear of Chapel of Faith International Bible Church, Inc as one of the Directors of the National body, among the two for Abia.
Recall that the body, popularly called NANFACOS is an umbrella body of all the primary, secondary and state apexes of cooperative societies for farmers in Nigeria, covering all the 36 states and the Federal capital territory, Abuja.
The body that was proposed in 2004 through an act, was finally established in 2020 by the Federal Department of cooperative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abuja to compliment the efforts of the Ministry in Agricultural activities in Nigeria, aimed at abundant food production and to ensure food security, job and wealth creation, geared towards making Nigeria self – reliant and productive.
In his speech, the Abia state born National President of the body, Hon. Chief Uzoma Nwogwugwu, while congratulating Amb. Bishop Emeka Nwankpa said, he has heard so many good stories about him but has never met him before until the occasion of his formal inauguration, adding that, his appointment was the recommendation from the Federal Ministry in Abuja, based on the reports of his activities and support to farmers for the past 15 years by providing them with cash, land for farming and fertilizers yearly, describing this honour bestowed on him as a gift from above due to his philanthropism, clean track record and service to God and humanity.
In his contribution, the National Secretary, Mallam Mohammed M. Kuyizmi noted that, the good deeds of Amb. Bishop Emeka Nwankpa has not gone unnoticed thus, the Ministry and the body chose him as they needed someone with good character content, trust worthy and reliable.
Mallam kuyizmi stressed that, the new Director of the Apex body of farmers in Nigeria will be a blessing to Abia, South – East states and Nigeria in general.
In his speech, the Abia State Chairman of the body, Barr. Big Nwosu, thanked the National Executive for finding Dr. Bishop Emeka Nwankpa worthy for the honour and admonished the body to assist Abia farmers with farm implements, especially fertilizers while appealing to help curb the menace of herdsmen that use their cows to destroy farmlands in Abia.
In his acceptance speech, Amb. Bishop Emeka Nwankpa, thanked the visitors and the Apex body.
He promised not to let them down but, will do all within his powers and by the help of God to move Agricultural activities in the state forward, describing Agriculture as the panacea to Nigeria economic recovery.
He assured that he will monitor all the activities of the body to ensure that any Agricultural input, materials, incentives that comes to the state would be properly channeled.
The occasion had in audience the National President; Hon. Chief Uzoma Nwogwugwu, National Vice President; Alh. Ajibade Olarewaju Yusuf, National Secretary; Mallam Mohammed M. Kuyizmi, National Treasurer; Juliana Gege Nguwansen, HRH Eze Ajomiwe and the Chief of Staff to the National Chairman, Chima Christopher Alawute.
Also in attendance are all the zonal coordinators from the six geo – political zones while Barr. Big Nwosu led the Abia state chapter Executives.
