H.E Owelle Rochas Okorocha Governor of Imo State, Nigeria. I write you this letter in overriding public interest as a citizen, indigene and member of Ihiagwa Community in Owerri west LGA. It is not on any other platform, my letter is also informed by the spirit of open government which democracy seeks to promote in any society including Nigeria, where it is our choice for governance. Above all, my letter is a statement on the confidence that I and our communities have in your ability to intervene and address problems like ours in the road sector. This confidence is built on the reported track record of your achievements in construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation of roads in the state since you assumed office to rescue Imo State. The examples are many and visible for even the worst critics of the administration to see and appreciate. Your Exellency, may I painfully inform you that Nekede/Ihiagwa to Eziobodo housing two major institutions in the state, is presently almost cut off from the rest of the city. The only major road that connects These communities (Okolochi, Emeabiam, Eziobodo, Ihiagwa, Nekede) with the rest of the City is in a deplorable state. This road has been neglected for over 12 years. It has no major obstacles like bridges or difficult terrain .The only problem of the road over these years can easily be traced to promises made and promises broken! Sir, for us, it is a sad commentary that a well-known community like ours reputed in history as the cradle of Owerri civilisation has found itself in such a sorry state in terms of bad road. Under its present terrible state, a journey from Owerri to Ihiagwa that should not last more than 10 minutes, now drags for over one hour. There is no doubt that the Ihiagwa - Nekede road in its current condition is perhaps the worst road in Imo state. And this is not an exaggeration. A trip on this road is a terrible experience that no one is prepared to recommend even to one’s worst enemy. This is why for some time now, many of us from Ihiagwa neither travel home nor risk the shame of inviting friends and well-wishers to visit our community. We hibernate in major cities across the country in regrets while our kits and kin at home especially commuters who must use the road on daily basis groan in fury and penury. In the same direction, transporting of farm produce which is in abundance in commercial quantity from Emeabiam, Okolochi, Eziobodo Ihiagwa in IMO State and the neighbouring communities is jeopardised. Other implications include poor access to medical care and help on similar emergencies in Ihiagwa and the affected communities with far reaching severe consequences on women and children, the old and the young. In November 2013, our joy knew no bounds when you visited our community, you even walked bare footed on the mud and said we will celebrate last Christmas with this same road. All of us went into jubilation believing that a “Daniel had finally come to judgment”. We thought that our pains, frustration anguish on the road were over. While publicly appreciating the State Government’s gesture, Ihiagwa in particular offered to provide any required assistance and support to the contractors to avoid stories and excuses in getting the important job done. Unfortunately, Your Excellency, it is sad, a big shame and disappointment that we have been failed, Your Excellency, another Christmas is by the corner. Ihiagwa community and her people that gave it an opportunity to make an important contribution to national development in that part of the state. We are utterly disappointed on the performance of the contractors if that road was actually awarded. While we have no information on what the specific problem may be, we have also seen no signs, equipment, skilled human manpower or any form of passionate commitment on the part of any company or Government to embark and complete this project. The character and performance of this company/government has eroded our confidence on the campaign to give equal opportunities. We are deeply concerned that our road has been rendered a failed project. Indeed, no one, not even the contractor, has offered any explanation for this shoddy performance. To worsen our situation, there appear to be some conspiracy of silence around this project. The suspicion of our community is high as all those who should speak out have chosen to keep quiet while the benefitting communities die slowly in silence. In the light of this unfortunate situation, I Chinedu Opara wishes to appeal for an urgent intervention of our Amiable Governor, Owelle Rochas, to institute a full investigation into circumstances that has led to this failed project if this project was awarded. I also request the Governor to do us a rare honour of visiting Ihiagwa, inspect this road to see things for himself because seeing is believing. We believe very strongly that our road will not remain the same after the third visit of the Governor. We suspect that reports from your field officers on this particular project are a fiction, anything but reality. Dear Governor, all that Ihiagwa-Nekede road requires to relieve our people from these decades of pain and bondage is a competent contractor to take over the project supported with good budgetary provision. And this is not difficult because the project is a very small one but with huge social economic benefits. As a major support base for your administration in Owerri East, Ihiagwa/Nekede as affected communities are ready and willing to offer assistance that may be required. We trust that this passionate request for your kind urgent intervention will attract your desired attention in the service of man and country. We think this is a legacy, you must leave behind. Thank you Your Excellency. Yours Faithfully Chinedu Felix Opara +234(0)8038399483 edugreatest@yahoo.com

YFARM PRESS RELEASE

Press Release Youth Farm (Y-Farm) Festival and Campaign- August 12, 2014 Abuja, Nigeria (20/05/2014) – Fresh & Young Brains Development Initiative (FBIN) cordially invites the public to the first regional Youth Farm (Y-Farm) Festival and the kickoff of the Campaign? The festival and the kickoff campaign will be held in Abuja, Nigeria on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at 10:00am, with the view to “Transforming Nigeria and indeed Africa’s Agriculture to engaging youth for shared prosperity and improved livelihoods for inclusive growth and sustainable development, the campaign aims to establishing and promoting 10,000 youth-led farms across the continent of Africa by 2020. The Y-Farm Campaign adopts a two-pronged approach of promoting youth-led farms and the benefits of farming for sustainable livelihoods. The campaign is focused on amplifying youth voice (especially young farmers’ voice) to promote Sustainable Agriculture among the younger generation. The goal is o promote a youth-led agribusiness society, reduce poverty and increase active youth participation in sustainable agriculture by 2020. The Youth Farm (Y-Farm) partners, stakeholders and allies include: ACTIVISTA, ACTIONAID, AFRICAN, YOUTH INITIATIVE ON CLIMATE CHANGE (AYICC), AFYIDEF, AIDE, ALEXIJAN CONSULTS, BEN TV, CARREFOUR NIG. LTD, CEDSI NIGERIA, CEED, CENTRE LSD, CODE, COMMUNICATY LIFE PROJECT, CPALD ABUJA, DAVID MARK BONAVENTURE INITIATIVE, DIRECORATE FOR TECHNICAL CORPORATION IN AFRICA, DYNAMIC WOMEN, ECOWAS COMMISSION, NIGERIA, FARMERS CHRONICLE, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATION (FAO) NIGERIA, GALAXY TV, GAVICKY FARMS, GLOBAL PEACE FOUNDATION, GRICK-IT, HEINRICH BOLL FOUNDATION, IMPACT AGRICULTURE PROJECT, INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT, KARABOW, KITTYS CONFECTIONAIRES, LEDSI-NYERI, NIGERIAN AGRIC INSURANCE CORPORATION, NETWORK OF AFRICAN YOUTH FOR DEVELOPMENT, NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA, NEWSAN, NIGERIA AGRICULTURE SUMMIT GROUP, KADUNA, NIGERIAN PILOT NEWSPAPER, NIWAASA, OFFICE OF SPECIAL ADVISER TO NIGERIAN PRESIDENT ON YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, OFFICE OF THE SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT ON YOUTH & STUDENT MATTERS, ONE.ORG, OXFAM NIGERIA, PEACE FRONT NIGERIA, PPP DIVISION AWARD, RACHVID INVESTMENT LTD, RYAN, SAVE THE CHILDREN, UK (NIGERIAN OFFICE), SOUTH SAHARAN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION, UPI NIGERIA, VEINNET, VOICES FOR FOOD SECURITY, WORLD YOUTH PEACE ORGANIZATION, YOUNG MEN EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE, YOUTH PROGRAM ON AGRICULTURE AND ENTERPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT (YPAED) and YOUTHWASH NETWORK (NIGERIA). The festival is expected to host over 500 Agriculture stakeholders, including Ministers, Ambassadors, African professionals, International and Local NGO practitioners, and young farmers, it shall also feature concert, award, exhibition and fundraising to support Youth Farmers on the continent For information on how to participate, donate or sponsor, please contact, Nkiru ********, CEO/Founder FBIN on +234(0)8053647180, 07066817374 or fbinaija1@gmail.com, fbinaija@yahoo.com, Twitter: #YFarm, @fbinaija, @fbinaija1. Please visit our website for further information on www.freshbrainsinitiativeng.org.

ACF, Northern Govs Commiserate With Sambo Over Brother’

ACF, Northern Govs Commiserate With Sambo Over Brother’ The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Monday commiserated with Vice President Namadi Sambo over the death of his younger brother, Capt. Sabo Sambo. In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, the ACF described the death of Sambo’s brother, who died in a ghastly motor accident on Sunday, as shocking. “It was with grief and shock that ACF learnt of the death of Capt. Sabo Sambo, the younger brother of the Vice President, Namadi Sambo. “From God we come and to Him we shall all return”, the statement read, adding that death was the ultimate end for all mortals, and noted that life is equally transient. The statement quoted the ACF as saying that, “the good deeds and service to humanity done by each person shall continue to live after him”, “We are aware that Capt. Sambo has been flying for over 30 years; from the defunct Nigeria Airways, Presidential Fleet to Nigeria Police Aircraft, all on service to his fatherland. “Capt. Sambo would be remembered for his diligence, commitment to service and most importantly, his humility. “We commiserate with the family of the Vice President, and pray to Almighty Allah to grant the departed soul eternal rest in Aljannah Firdaus. “We also commiserate with the bereaved family and pray Allah to give them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss”. Also, the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) consoled the Vice President over his brother’s death. In a condolence message, the NSGF Chairman, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger, on Monday said: “We feel and share in your grief. Take heart”. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Capt. Sambo, who was the immediate younger brother to the vice president, died on Sunday on the Bill Clinton drive, Airport Road, Abuja, in a car accident.