The Mbaise Policy Roundtable (MPR), a non-governmental organization with offices in Owerri Imo State, Nigeria and New York USA has unveiled the composition of her Mbaise Agriculture Projects Implementation Committee (MAPIC), as mandated by the resolution of their recently concluded 2022 Annual Global Summit, with the theme, “Agriculture- A Strategic Pathways to Youth Empowerment and Mitigation of Insecurity in Rural Communities- A Case Study of the Mbaise Nation.”. This committee will champion the realization of the resolutions passed at the summit.
According to a statement signed by the MPR Executive Secretary and Legal Adviser Atty Paschal Ukpabi, Chief Program Director Dr Jude Iheoma, and Chairman Professor Eddie Oparaoji, “After due deliberations and consultations, the Board of Directors selected a team with diverse relevant background and competencies comprising top Agriculture experts and administrators, practicing farmers, funding, financial, ICT experts, local and international influencers, legal minds, and scientists among other criteria.”
Those appointed are.
1. Professor Joe Ahaneku -former Vice Chancellor, UniZik Awka, Administrator Per Excellence, practical expert in entrepreneurship and Practicing farmer (Chairman)
2. Ishi Nze Barr Placid Dioka – former Registrar University of Nigeria Nsukka (Deputy Chairman)
3. Ret. Chief Magistrate, Her Lordship Barr Rose O.C. Nworka – Practicing Farmer (Secretary)
4. Chief Austin Onwubiko – Managing Director at Africana First Publishers (Treasurer)
5. Chief Joachim Nwogu – President/CEO 3N Solutions Network (PRO/Webinar Host)
6. Prince Victor Mbalewe – Former Senior Special Adviser to Imo State Governor on Commercial Agriculture, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer at Biowish Africa West Limited and Practicing Farmer
7. Rev Fr. Pius Anyanwu – Director Mater Farm Catholic Diocese of Ahiara, Mbaise
8. Mr Patrick Iroh – Head of Department of Agriculture, Ahiazu-Mbaise LGA
9. HRH Ugoeze Chigbo Nwamara – Practicing Farmer, Founder Offthehook Foundation and Manager Meknubs Nig Ltd, an Agro Allied Company
10. Sir Stanley Amuchie – Bank Executive Director, Chief Operations and Information Officer, Founder Goodlight Foundation
11. Professor Josaphat U.J. Onwumere – Professor of Banking/Finance and Economic Development, Dean, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
12. Professor Viola Onwuliri – former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Education
13. Sir Sebastian Ekeanyanwu – CEO Chris VI Hotel Ahiara-Mbaise, former Executive Director Finance and Accounts, NNPC
14. Ezeji, Dr. Kachi Nwoga – Medical Doctor, ICT consultant and Practicing Farmer
15. Mr Solomon Abiakalam – Group Chief Compliance Officer at Cellulant-Compliance and Risk Executive
16. Mrs Ngozi Chile Oparaocha – Bank Manager
Their statement elaborated further, that, “the purpose of MAPIC is to formulate and implement the modalities for harnessing human, material and financial resources to position Mbaise Nation as a robust and attractive business partner with the Agro-conglomerate CSS Group of Companies and others like it, to ensure the actualization of the projects outlined in the resolutions of the MPR 2022 Annual Global Summit, including
a. Facilitate sponsoring 50 Mbaise candidates to the train the trainer program at the International Skills Acquisition Center (ISAC), Nasarawa
b. Facilitate CSS establishing a customized Agriculture training center/institute in Mbaise.
c. Establish information sharing process to keep MPR in the loop as stakeholder in CSS plan to establish the Yegates University, which aims to be the second private University of Agriculture in Nigeria.
d. Facilitate collaboration with CSS for the establishment of a Youth Agriculture Small Business Incubation Pilot, to continue to expose Mbaise youths on setting up and running modern agribusiness
e. Facilitate CSS establishing a Food Reserve Center/Warehouse/distribution infrastructure in Mbaise.
f. Establish MPR as outlet for CSS Social Responsibility in Mbaise.
g. Explore and ensure CSS drives palm produce, fish and poultry farming in Mbaise to State/Regional dominance
h. Explore and Facilitate CSS sponsoring an MPR Agriculture Scholarships Fund.
i. Explore and Facilitate CSS sponsoring an MPR Agriculture Trust Fund.
j. Identify and explore opportunities to partner with government to provide resources for mentorship, counseling, and coaching, as well as engage the youths in advocacy, leadership training, community service programs, and to foster the right values and attitudes among our youths
k. Identify and develop a guide to available sources of Agriculture funding, particularly for start ups/small time farmers, and how to access them
l. Develop a central database of Mbaise Agriculture/Agribusinesses and professionals, Assets for accessibility
m. Facilitate Identifying CSS “shovel ready” project to start immediately in Mbaise as a confidence building measure.
n. Explore and facilitate other opportunities that promotes the uptake of agriculture and agribusiness among Mbaise youths, Mbaise nation and Imo State”
The committee will be inaugurated on Saturday, March 26 at 10 am, at the prestigious Chris VI Hotel, Ahiara Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria, in the presence of a cross-section of the Mbaise community.
MPR, is the premier pre-eminent Mbaise Public Policy and Business Advisory Council in the World focused entirely on the development of Mbaise and Imo State, through the facilitation of financial and in-kind resources, private investments and private public partnerships.
