Chief Eric Opah, has been inaugurated into the Board of Trustees of the National Apex of Nigeria, Farmers Co-operative Societies Limited, NANFACOS, to represent Abia, and ensure that her Agricultural rights and needs are met, and ensure they are properly channeled to respective farmers in the state.
Chief Opah, who emerged after painstaking considerations ensuing from his philanthropic gesture and human development over the years, will work with the State and National executives of the cooperation for a period of 4 years, to ensure that farmers in Abia are well represented.
Speaking at the inauguration, held on Friday at the Obo-Ogu Hall and Event Centre at Mbubo, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, the National President of NANFACOS, Hon. Chief Uzoma Nwogwugwu, said the appointment of Chief Eric Opah is necessitated by the advice given to NANFACOS, to establish management structures for efficient running of administration.
He added that after painstaking consideration, Chief Eric Opah emerged, revealing that this was further necessitated by his contributions towards rural and community development just as he noted that The Chief will serve for a period of 4 years which is also subjected to an extension if am effective servuce was rendered by the appointee.
Chief Nwogwugwu wished him luck just as he prayed for a new dawn for Abia farmers and Nigeria at large.
In his acceptance speech, Chief Eric Opah appreciated NANFACOS for finding him worthy of the appointment. He regretted that Nigeria has not gotten it right in agriculture, which he tagged as “the next crude oil”. He also stressed that this appointment will allow him to be involved in Agric value chain.
He pledged to be transparent in sharing funds made available to farmers as they had been denied their rights, insisting that he will ensure loans get to them.
Chief Opah said farming and agriculture can drive the Nigerian economy if machineries are put in place, promising to bring innovations that will ensure Abia’s agricultural produce are packaged for export just as he stated that agriculture is the next oil for Nigeria.
Earlier in their separate speeches, The Chairman, Abia Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, Eze Joseph Nwabeke and the State Focal Person on Social Investment Programme, Mr Chinenye Nwogu, said Chief Opah is a square peg in the right hole as he is straightforward and honest, adding that he will not disappoint in bringing about food sufficiency in Abia State..
