The North East Development Commission (NEDC), under the visionary leadership of its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mohammed Goni Alkali, in partnership with the Office of the First Lady of Borno State, Associate Professor Falmata Babagana Umara Zulum, has flagged off the distribution of free fertiliser to 1,000 vulnerable women farmers in Maiduguri as part of efforts to enhance food production, strengthen women’s economic empowerment, and improve livelihoods.
The intervention is another demonstration of the Commission’s unwavering commitment to transforming the agricultural sector across the North-East through strategic programmes that empower farmers, improve productivity, and contribute to sustainable food security. Under Dr. Alkali’s leadership, the NEDC has continued to implement impactful agricultural initiatives, providing farmers with essential inputs, training, and other forms of support that are helping to revive agriculture, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth throughout the region.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the First Lady described the initiative as a symbol of hope and resilience, stating that it would improve food security, increase crop yields, and enhance household incomes. She noted that the programme aligns with and complements the agricultural transformation agenda of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.
Representing the Managing Director/CEO of the NEDC, Dr. Mohammed Goni Alkali, the Commission’s Borno State Coordinator, Engr. Muhammad Umar, disclosed that the fertiliser distribution programme is being implemented simultaneously across the six North-East states, with Borno among the first beneficiaries.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Engr. Bawu Musami, applauded the initiative, describing women as indispensable drivers of agricultural production and economic development. He commended the NEDC for its consistent interventions in the agricultural sector, noting that such support would significantly boost farming activities and strengthen food security in the state.
The beneficiaries expressed profound appreciation to the NEDC and the Office of the First Lady for the timely intervention, pledging to utilise the fertiliser effectively to increase agricultural output, improve their livelihoods, and contribute to ensuring food sufficiency in Borno State.
The fertiliser distribution further reinforces the NEDC’s commitment, under the purposeful and visionary leadership of Dr. Mohammed Goni Alkali, to empowering vulnerable communities, promoting sustainable agriculture, and accelerating socio-economic recovery and development across the North-East.
