Obaseki: Edo State Leads Charge in Propcom+ Initiative

•Says target is to lift four million persons from poverty

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has declared that the state was leading charge in the Propcom+ initiative, an idea backed by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and poised to revolutionise Nigeria’s landscape.

In response to the global crackdown on unsustainable agricultural practices, Obaseki said the target of the state was to lift four million people out of poverty, safeguard forests and empower women entrepreneurs.

Obaseki, who stated this during a recent workshop in Abuja, where he outlined the pivotal priorities for this transformative initiative, added that the idea was set to begin early this year, 2024.

Represented by the Commissioner for Environment Joshua Omokhodion, and Kevin Uwaibi, the Managing Director of the Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO), Obaseki noted that the state has strategically identified three critical sectors for Propcom+ support namely: forests, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.

He said the state’s strategic plan involved utilising Propcom+ resources to fortify its invaluable forests, recognised as linchpins for environmental stability and economic growth.

He also claimed that the programme would empower smallholder farmers through climate-smart practices and enhanced market access, bolstering productivity and resilience within the agricultural sector which key focal point lied in elevating women entrepreneurs in agribusiness, fostering inclusive growth and unlocking their untapped potential.

Edo’s proactive stance, Obaseki further noted, underscored the urgency embedded within PropCom+’s mission as Nigeria grappled with an alarming deforestation rate of 3.7%, primarily propelled by unsustainable agricultural practices.