Paramount ruler of the Tiv Nation, Orcivirigh Prof James Ayatse, has lauded the World Bank’s commitment to sustainable development and poverty reduction initiatives in the Northern region and the entire nation.
He said these initiatives are yielding significant impact on the lives of farmers on a multisectoral basis.
The monarch who spoke in his palace in Gboko during the visit of the project team led by the task leader of Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), Dr Joy Iganya Agene, stressed the need to deepen the partnership for its effective implementation, especially in the areas of agricultural modernisation, rehabilitation of cottage industries, agroforestry, dredging of the River Benue, rehabilitation of moribund cattle ranches as well as support and empowerment for women.
A statement by special assistant to Tor Tiv on media and ICT Freddie Adamgbe quoted the monarch as stating that through the intervention of ACReSAL, opportunities for economic growth, social progress and environmental sustainability will be fostered, adding that by learning from each other’s wealth of experience and expertise a brighter future for the next generation will be realised.
Earlier, Agene disclosed that the ACReSAL project aims to contribute to the federal government’s objective of reducing the vulnerability of millions of extremely poor northern Nigerians and strengthening its role in achieving environmental sustainability.
According to her, the project targets vulnerable and marginalised groups, including women, youths, older people, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and ethnic and religious minorities across the 19 states and the FCT.
She noted that the visit to the Tor Tiv fostered cooperation and acknowledged traditional rulers and community leaders’ role in implementing the projects due to their connection and closeness to the rural people.
In a welcome address, the state project coordinator, Dr Victor Ama, commended the World Bank for choosing Benue State to implement the projects. He assured Begha U Tiv that his fatherly and excellent counsel would be fully adhered to.
