WE SHOULD RETURN BACK TO THE ERA OF BACKYARD GARDENING- BELLO

The Executive Secretary of the Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency, Mrs. Shimite Bello has encouraged women in the state not to neglect farming as it is a skill, which after time when properly nurtured can take them to unimaginable places. Mrs Bello stated this in Ughelli where she was a guest speaker at the 'Empowering Women Cooks and Farmers Against Poverty Through Agriculture', an event organized by the Delta state government through the office of the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Beautification headed by Olorogun (Mrs) Grace Aghoghovbia.

Noting that the Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa led administration values job creation, she added that awareness could not be too excess. "The SMART Agenda of H. E, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa values very deeply job creation and wealth creation, as well as accelerated agricultural practices amongst others. To this end, awareness and empowerment programs have saturated the people of Delta state, through the Delta state government both officially and in the private capacity of elected officials and political appointees."

While listing the benefits of farming, she described as waste, the fertile soils which is often left fallow at many back yards.

In light of the unemployment index in Nigeria in general and Delta state in particular, a movement has began across the state to empower women in agriculture and other farmers. Before gardening is criticised we should remember it's advantages which includes it's save on cost, reduces the level of chemical content we take into our body as the food from our farms are always fresh, it is therapeutic as improves our mental well being and balance, when we take care of our gardens with our children, it teaches the value of hard work it is also a source of income when the excess harvests are sold out."

While calling for a different approach to tackling issues she noted that Deltans must work as one family irrespective of ethnic differences, blood ties or social status adding that a United Delta is the bedrock for a formidable and indefatigable economic movement.

Speaking also, the convener of the event, Olorogun (Mrs) Grace Aghoghovbia stated that the gathering was to bring strong awareness to the people of Ughelli on the need to start growing vegetables in small and commercial quantities to grow the GDP of the state. She appealed to the women to take the program seriously and follow through with hardwork to become experts.

The event which successfully empowered well over 500 women was witnessed by Dignitaries including the Secretary to the Delta state Government, represented by his wife,  Mrs Agas, the states Commissioner of finance, Olorogun David Edevbie, Former Commissioner for Lands in the state, Chief Fred Majemite, Internationally renowned blogger, Christian Onwugbolu, #NotTooYoungToLead Ambassador Mr. J. Jeremiah amongst others.