By Sam Akadoro / Special Correspondent, Sapele

Currently the Songhai Delta at Amukpe located in Sapele local government council, Sapele Delta State, is bouncing back to life, courtesy of the Delta State government. Established by the former Governor James Ibori administration, the farm cum hospitality industry had been degenerating for some years until the intervention of the state’s Deputy Governor Amos Utuama, who convinced Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan that revamping the Songhai farm, would contribute to the realisation of the “Delta Without Oil” vision.

When Utuama visited the agro-based industry recently, he expressed satisfaction to the managers of the facility for their professional handling of the farm. He inspected all the production units to ascertain that the production of agricultural products was being done efficiently.

Speaking at the event, the deputy governor said. “The Songhai Delta was established by the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, for the purpose of creating employment for Delta State youths and thereby alleviating poverty among our people and also imparting our youths with skills in different departments of agriculture and by so doing you create a crop of leaders trained and disciplined youth in enterprises in agriculture and agriculture related skills. It is also to provide training in food storage.”

Speaking further, Utuama stated that when the present administration took over leadership in the state, the company’s fortunes were nose-diving and it was unable to carry out its mission.

“I decided to tell the governor, His Excellency Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, that something has to be done about the fortunes of the farm so that the government policy of Delta Beyond Oil will be achieved. Then the company was saddled with debt, indiscipline, and nothing seemed to work,” the deputy governor said.

He added that he remained undaunted and discussed the issue again with the governor that the farm they inherited must not be allowed to die.

He stated that the governor agreed with him that they must revamp the farm. He said the decision to revamp the farm reminded him of Dr. Theophilus Okpidi, adding that the governor directed him to get Okpidi to come so that he can discuss the modality of revamping the Songhai Delta with him. He said that when Okpidi came, he showed so much knowledge and enthusiasm on how to turn the farm around and he was engaged as an executive consultant to the company.

According to the Deputy Governor, “ Today we have come to witness the turn around of the Songhai-Amukpe; it is a complete turn around from what I can see, from the physical environment to the different units, one can say that Songhai Amukpe has come to occupy its proper place as a driver of the socio-economic programme of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the governor of Delta State.”

He added that the oil revenue should be used to develop the non-oil sectors of the economy, create employment for our youths and create wealth for all.

“ Today” he said, “ I can see the great Nigerian students, its not everyone of you that has this opportunity to be at Songhai Amukpe. If you position yourself well with the present opportunity, you will be part of the great story of Songhai Delta Amukpe. Nobody starts from the top, everybody starts from the button.”

He added that, “ Let us thank our executive consultant in a special way because without him we cannot be where we are today, so I immensely thank you and your management for your effort on behalf of the governor. I also use this opportunity to thank the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom whose domain the Songhai is located, also for our Lord Bishop for their prayer for the revival of the farm.”

In his speech, the executive consultant of the Songhai Delta Amukpe said, “We give God the glory for making the visit a reality. Songhai Delta Amukpe is an integrated agro-based company whose vision is aimed at production, poverty alleviation, incorporating an incubator of skills acquisition, leadership and entrepreneurial training, backed by strong philosophy of discipline and appreciation of the dignity of labour.”

He expressed gratitude for being called upon to serve as the executive consultant, adding that though its a highly cherished honour, it has been a great challenge. He said that patriotism has compelled him to embrace the challenge in order to share in the passions of the people of Delta State and more importantly to key into the giant strides of the Uduaghan administration to move Delta Beyond Oil. He said that the relevance of agriculture in the above agenda couldn’t be overemphasized.

Okpidi continued, “ As a farmer, a villager and first class rubber tapper, I am not good at long speeches. The onus is for you to judge our performance so far having gone round our facilities and seen our products.”

The executive consultant was full of gratitude and commendations to governor. Uduaghan and Deputy Governor Utuama and for their encouragement and timely release of funds for revamping the programme. He commended the immense contributions of Professor. Patrick Muoboghare and Hon. Michael Diden, Mr. J. Morka. He thanked His Grace Archbishop God-do-well Avwomakpa and the Anglican Bishops of Warri and Sapele Diocese Rt. Rev. Christian Ide and Rt. Rev. Blessing Erifeta. Others he thanked included His Royal Majesty, Orhue I, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Chief Peter Asagba, the district head of Amukpe community, Hon. Harrison Ekeleme, the president-general of Ovwore community, Mr. Emmanuel Atika, others were Mr. Austin Oghoro, Secretary Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Dr. Paul Okumagba and former chairman of the Board of Directors Engr. James B. Erhuero and his team and the management and staff of the company.

Some dignitaries that graced the ceremony included Chief Henry Ofa, a Commissioner of DESOPADEC, Chief Joe Omene, Acting President General of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Hon. Austin Ayemidejor the Special Project Adviser Asaba Airport, Asaba, Chief Peter Asagba, the District Head of Amukpe, who represented the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom.

Lying with words no picture in these days of camera phones, there are people we can take their words or text without doubt not people from bayelsa.