EXCERPTS FROM THE STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING OF WEDNESDAY, 2ND APRIL, 2025

The Akwa Ibom State Executive Council today, April 2nd , 2025 held its fourth meeting since reconstitution.

The Meeting was presided over by the Governor in Council, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D with the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, Secretary to the State Government, Head of Civil Service, Executive Assistant and Chief Delivery Advisor, as well as Commissioners and Special Advisers in attendance.

The Executive Council after due consideration of Memos and deliberation on issues brought before it, took decisions and made the following resolutions:

1. The Governor in Council granted approval for the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to exercise supervisory role over the Akwa Ibom State Infrastructure and Asset Management and Maintenance Agency, with effect from today, April 2, 2025. This decision followed a memo brought before Council by the Head of the Civil Service on the importance and strategic nature of the Agency and need to provide effective oversight on its operations for efficiency and effectiveness.

2. Following a memo also presented by the Head of Civil Service and in pursuant to the directive of His Excellency the Governor for the recruitment of Safety Officers into the Akwa Ibom State Public Service and issuance of Establishment Circular No.1 of 2024, for the domestication of Federal Circular on the creation of Occupational Safety Officers Cadre in the Public Service, Council approved the establishment of the Department of Occupational Safety in the Akwa Ibom State Public Service, to be headed by a Permanent Secretary under the Office of the Head of Civil Service.

3. Following complaints received from various communities in the oil-bearing part of the State, particularly the area of operations of the Sterling Global, the State Executive Council after due consideration and review, directed that the oil company to immediately revert and limit its operations within the 1000 hectares of land earlier allocated to them and the 700 hectares buffer zone.

Council therefore directed that the company must stop any further encroachment or closing of any creek in the state and directed the Ministry of Lands to take appropriate actions to ensure the determination of all statuses as regards the approvals given, to ensure that they operate within the confines of the Law.

4. The Executive Council, pursuant to the Agriculture and Food Sufficiency program of the ARISE Agenda, inaugurated the Akwa Ibom State Agriculture and Food Security Committee.
The eight-member committee under the Chairmanship of Prof. Okon Ansa, has as members, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, Prof. Trenchard Ibia, Prof. Elizabeth Ebukiba, Dr. Etemudo Udongo, Ambassador Alphonsus Inyang and Pastor Godwin Ukwat, while Mr. Ofonbuk Nelson will serve as Secretary.

The Committee was charged to design data based food production and processing system to ensure food availability through adequate food stock and feedstock for farmers in the State as enshrined in the ARISE Agenda as envisioned by the Governor.

5. Council also took presentations from various ministries on their plans, projects and short term goals and provided pathways to improved service delivery.

Hon. Aniekan Umanah
Commissioner for Information
02/04/2025

Goat and Sheep Kidding/Lambing: A Comprehensive Guide to Safe Delivery

Goat and sheep farmers must be well-prepared for the kidding and lambing process to ensure a smooth and successful delivery. Understanding the signs of labor, proper birthing positions, and intervention techniques can make a significant difference in reducing mortality rates and ensuring the health of both the mother and offspring.

This guide provides essential information on the kidding/lambing process, signs of labor, normal and abnormal birth positions, and best practices for assisting difficult births.

Understanding the Kidding/Lambing Process

Kidding or lambing occurs 146-156 days after breeding for goats and sheep. It is crucial to prepare a clean and secure birthing environment for the doe or ewe, ideally one week before the expected due date. While pasture kidding is common in Zambia during good weather, individual pens are recommended for better monitoring and biosecurity.

Signs of Kidding/Lambing

Recognizing early signs of labor can help farmers provide timely assistance when needed. Common indicators include:

Restlessness – The doe/ewe may paw at the bedding frequently.

Hollow appearance – A noticeable hollow on either side of the tail.

Isolation – In a herd, the mother may separate herself from the rest.

Affectionate behavior – Increased signs of affection towards the farmer or other animals.

Vaginal discharge – A clear or slightly colored discharge is a strong sign that birth is imminent.

Normal Birthing Positions

A normal birth occurs when the kid or lamb presents with:

The nose diving between the front legs.

Both hind legs together with the dew claws facing up.

The kid/lamb is positioned right side up, face down.

Most births progress without complications. However, a small percentage of cases may require assistance, especially for young or first-time mothers.

Golden Rules for Handling https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb5QG8sJP20xMjnTVu3z/189

This text highlights the challenges faced by farmers in Abia State, Nigeria, despite the area's agricultural potential.

Key challenges mentioned:

1. *Land degradation*: Soil quality is declining, affecting crop yields.
2. *Erosion*: Soil erosion, particularly gully erosion, is damaging farmlands and rural infrastructure.
3. *Limited access to credit facilities*: Farmers struggle to access loans or credit, hindering their ability to invest in their farms.

These challenges have significant impacts:

1. *Reduced productivity*: Farmers' ability to produce crops, including melons, is compromised.
2. *Limited participation in agricultural activities*: Farmers may be discouraged from participating in agricultural activities due to the challenges they face.

The Abia NEWMAP (2019-2021) project aimed to address some of these challenges, particularly soil erosion, through watershed management and conservation practices.

Do you have any questions about this text or the challenges faced by farmers in Abia State?

Despite the agricultural potential of the area, challenges such as land degradation, erosion, and limited access to credit facilities affect productivity. Soil erosion, particularly gully erosion, poses a major threat to farmlands and rural infrastructure, impacting farmers' participation in agricultural activities, including melon production (Abia NEWMAP, 2021).

GOV ENO BEGINS TOWN HALL MEETINGS WITH DISBURSEMENT OF N5.1 BILLION BUSINESS GRANTS

...reaffirms commitment to enhance MSMEs, rural development

833 Akwa Ibom indigenes from Abak-Etim Ekpo-Ika Federal Constituency have received their part of the N5.1 billion ARISE Grant ermarked for farmers, traders, craftmen equipment support and ARISE MSME support schemes by Governor Umo Eno.

The breakdown of the disbursement include N111 million to 178 crop, fish and livestock farmers, N176 million to 442 traders of various categories, N30 million to six Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises operators and equipment support running into hundreds of millions to 198 craftmen, as well as six beneficiaries of minibuses and three car beneficiaries.

Speaking at the maiden Town Hall Meeting/Empowerment ceremony at the Abak Township Stadium, the State Governor identified micro, small and medium scale entrepreneurs as the engine that powers sustainable economic growth and restated his administration's resolve to reach out to them both in the city and at remote locations across the rural communities to empower them and enhance their growth.

"We want to support small medium scale enterprises. These small businesses are the engine of the economy. These are the small traders, farmers, those people that have their handwork. Those are the people that help the economy, they employ two or three people and they provide food for their homes. We must support them. I know what you are doing and we will keep supporting you," Governor Eno stated.

Reaffirming his commitment to rural development, the Governor maintained that he would be satisfied to take governance to the rural communities and leave enduring legacies in their lives and environments.

This, he explained, was the reason he chose to embark on painstaking profiling of potential beneficiaries to avoid urban-based enlistment of portfolio traders and farmers, attesting to the utmost transparency and due diligence of the selection process and that the beneficiaries were real and verifiable, while also admonishing beneficiaries to make good use of the grant with the consciousness that it is a one-off opportunity.

"No more will we sit in Uyo and write names of people we do not know. We have profiled all these people. If you check the brochure or go to Akwa Ibom State Government website, you'll see all their names, their phone numbers and their addresses so you can go and verify whether they got the monies or not.

"We have visited their businesses; we have visited their farms and they are not portfolio business people, so we have decided to come to their Federal Constituency to disburse the money and we will do same to others. But one thing is, once we support you, your name is captured on the portal so you cannot get it again. It will be some other peoples turn. So use your own well.

"I want to be remembered as the Governor who brought governance to the rural areas. I want to be remembered as the governor who interacted with the rural communities so they too can smell the fragrance of government. They can have good schools, good roads, good hospitals. They can have water, they can have basic necessities of life."

The Governor commended the cooperation of the leadership of Abak Federal Constituency, especially for working collaboratively to produce a unified needs document, maintaining that the document carried the essence of the day's event.

The Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong, leading stakeholders of Abak, Etim Ekpo and Ika Local Government Areas to make a presentation of their charter of needs, called for a motion which was moved by, and seconded by Hon. Mfon Idung and Rt. Hon Aniekan Umanah respectively, that Abak Federal Constituency will unanimously support Governor Umo Eno to continue in office beyond 2027 in appreciation of his goodness to the people of the area.

In their various goodwill messages, a chieftain of the APC and Provost of Federal College of Health Sciences, Jos, Prof. Nkereuwem Etukudo, former Legal Adviser of the PDP, Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN and former Attorney General of the State, Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN, lauded the Governor's integrity in keeping to his promise to the electorate and assured him of continuous support of the people of Abak, Etim Ekpo and Ika.

Interacting with Government House Correspondents, some beneficiaries of the grant; Inemesit Abraham and Semfon Dickson, expressed heartfelt gratitude over the grant, describing it as an apolitical, well-targetted empowerment programme. They noted that God is currently governing the state and using Governor Umo Eno as a human vessel.

Media Unit
Government House, Uyo
9/3/25

When baboons and monkeys heard that the farmer who used to chase them from the maize field had died, they celebrated with joy.

But the next year, there was no maize at all. That’s when they painfully realized the farmer they thought was their enemy was actually the farmer who grew their food.

People may not understand the value of your actions today, but they will recognize your importance when you are no longer around!

“It all started in early 2015. As I mentioned, I began with just a few gallons of water and 10 fish, experimenting outside my house with what I had learned.

I can’t talk about my success without sharing my failures. The first 2 years were far from easy they were filled with ups and downs and countless challenges. But what kept me going was how I handled those difficulties because I knew the future of my business depended on it.

I joined fish farming groups, connected with other farmers, volunteered to work on their farms for free just to learn, attended seminars, and never stopped reading.

Today, I supply high-quality fish to the USA, Canada, Europe, and other parts of the world. I have also created employment for 20 youths who work with me, and as my business grows, even more opportunities will come.

My dream is to elevate the food sector in Nigeria, support my fellow brothers and sisters, and encourage Nigerian youths and Africa as a whole to embrace agriculture and animal husbandry. I have tested it, and I am living proof of its success.

Moral lesson: Consistency is the key .its never too late to start small.
—-Tiki Fish farms

BEFORE YOU GO IN TO BROILERS FARMING YOU NEED TO KNOW THE BREED ESPECIALLY THOSE IN NIGERIA

As the poultry farming industry in Nigeria continues to thrive, it's crucial for poultry farmers to distinguish between company names and broiler breeds. Understanding this distinction can help in making informed decisions about sourcing and raising broilers.

Broiler Companies in Nigeria

Several companies in Nigeria are known for producing high-quality broilers. These companies are often mistaken for broiler breeds, but they are actually suppliers and producers. Here are some of the prominent broiler-producing companies in Nigeria:

1. Agrited
2. Chi
3. Sayed
4. Vertex
5. Valentine
6. Amo Farm Support
7. Fidan

These companies have established themselves as reliable sources for broiler chicks, providing farmers with the necessary support and resources to ensure successful poultry farming operations.

Broiler Breeds in Nigeria

In contrast to the companies listed above, broiler breeds refer to the specific genetic lines of chickens that are raised for meat production. These breeds are selected for their rapid growth, efficient feed conversion, and high meat yield. Some of the popular broiler breeds in Nigeria include:

1. Ross 308
2. Cobb 500
3. Arbor Acres Plus
4. Hubbard Classic
5. Avian 48
6. Marshall
7. Naked Neck

Each of these breeds has unique characteristics that make them suitable for different farming conditions and preferences. Farmers should carefully consider the breed that best fits their production goals and environmental conditions.

Spreading the Word

It's important to share this update with other poultry farmers to help them avoid confusion between broiler companies and breeds. By doing so, we can ensure that farmers make well-informed decisions that contribute to the success of their poultry farming ventures.

Stay Informed with Farming Tech & Business

For more updates, tips, and insights on poultry farming and agricultural practices, keep following Farming Tech & Business. Together, we can enhance the poultry farming industry in Nigeria and achieve greater success.

Farmers!

If farmers don't work, we will all go hungry. Our gratitude to farmers all over the world! 🙏🏻
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12 Reasons Why Gardening Is More Than Just A Hobby:
Mental Clarity – Spending time caring for plants helps clear your mind and reduce stress.
Physical Exercise – Gardening involves bending, lifting, and stretching, providing a gentle form of physical activity.
Sense of Accomplishment – ​​Watching plants grow and thrive gives you a tangible sense of accomplishment.
Fresh Produce – Growing your own fruits and vegetables means fresher, more nutritious food.
Environmental Impact – Planting flowers, trees, and shrubs benefits the ecosystem by providing oxygen and supporting wildlife.
Develops Patience – Gardening teaches you to slow down and appreciate the natural growth process.
Connection with Nature – Digging in the dirt and nurturing plants helps you reconnect with the earth.
Improves Mood – Studies show that gardening can reduce feelings of depression and anxiety.
Save money: Growing your own herbs, vegetables, and flowers reduces grocery and gardening expenses.
Creative expression: Designing a garden allows you to express your creativity through color, texture, and design.
Improve concentration: Gardening requires attention to detail, which improves concentration and mindfulness.
Community development: Joining gardening clubs or sharing produce can strengthen social connections in your community.