Prof. Ahaneku advocates pan Mbaise vision, agrarian revolution at inauguration of MAPIC 

Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria, March 30, 2022

The Mbaise Agriculture Projects Implementation Committee (MAPIC), has been inaugurated by the Mbaise Policy Roundtable (MPR), with the former Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Professor Joe Ahaneku, as Chairman.

Prof. Ahaneku, an expert in entrepreneurship and a practicing farmer, in his acceptance speech at the inauguration of the Committee, which was officiated by MPR Chairman, Professor Eddie Oparaoji and coordinated by the MPR’s Chief Program Director, Dr Jude Iheoma, advocated the adoption of a pan-Mbaise vision to drive the development of Mbaise through an agricultural revolution.

MPR, a non-governmental organization with offices in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria and New York, United States of America (USA), in a statement, said that it inaugurated the Committee as mandated by the resolution of their recently concluded 2022 Annual Global Summit which had as theme “Agriculture – A Strategic Pathway to Youth Empowerment and Mitigation of Insecurity in Rural Communities – A Case Study of the Mbaise Nation.”

Ahaneku described the MAPIC initiative as long overdue, and an opportunity for the present Mbaise generation to make their mark in the sands of history, like their forebears. He observed that unlike their forebears who established most of the existing enduring but decaying institutions, this generation of Mbaise people may be running out of time to build a legacy to be proud of. He opined that as some people embrace Pan-Africanism, Pan-Nigerianism or Pan-Igbo philosophies, they too should embrace a “Pan Mbaise” vision – an overarching mindset that would spur volunteerism, sacrifices, philanthropy and taking control of one’s destiny, which would fuel fierce and sustained Mbaise development.

A Fellow of the highly respected Nigerian Academy of the Sciences, Prof Ahaneku outlined some of the benefits of developing agriculture as the bedrock of Mbaise economy to include access to affordable, healthier food, reduction in illnesses of unknown origins, mitigation of youth unemployment and curtailing of crimes and insecurity.

The MPR statement, signed by the its Executive Secretary and Legal Adviser, Atty Paschal Ukpabi, Chief Program Director, Dr Jude Iheoma, and Chairman, Professor Eddie Oparaoji,  said that after due deliberations and consultations, the Board of Directors selected a team with diverse relevant backgrounds and competencies, comprising top Agriculture experts and administrators, practicing farmers, funding, financial, ICT experts, local and international influencers, legal minds, and scientists, among others, to drive the vision of using agriculture to turn around the fortunes of Mbaiseland.

The statement stressed that MAPIC was put together to formulate and implement modalities for harnessing human, material and financial resources to rebuild Mbaise into a robust and sustainable agro-based economy, stressing that the Committee would also enhance business partnerships with the Professor John Kennedy led CSS Group of companies, a Nigeria-based international agro-conglomerate and one of the largest mechanized Agribusinesses in Africa.

Other members of the Committee who were inaugurated alongside Prof. Ahaneku are Ishi Nze Barr Placid Dioka, a former Registrar, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) as Deputy Chairman, Ret. Chief Magistrate, Her Lordship Barr Rose O.C. Nworka, a Practicing Farmer as Secretary, Chief Austin Onwubiko, Managing Director of Africana First Publishers as Treasurer and Chief Joachim Nwogu, President/CEO 3N Solutions Network as PRO/Webinar Host.

Equally inaugurated were Professor Viola Onwuliri, a former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Education; Prince Victor Mbalewe, former Senior Special Adviser to Imo State Governor on Commercial Agriculture, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer at Biowish Africa West Limited and a Practicing Farmer; Rev Fr. Pius Anyanwu, Director, Mater Farm, Catholic Diocese of Ahiara, Mbaise; Mr. Patrick Iroh, Head of Department of Agriculture, Ahiazu-Mbaise LGA; HRH Ugoeze Chigbo Nwamara, a Practicing Farmer, Founder of Offthehook Foundation and Manager Meknubs Nig Ltd, an Agro Allied Company, and Sir Stanley Amuchie, a Bank Executive Director, Chief Operations and Information Officer, Founder Goodlight Foundation.

Also, on the list of the high caliber committee are Prof. Josaphat U.J. Onwumere, a Professor of Banking/Finance and Economic Development, Dean, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Sir Sebastian Ekeanyanwu, CEO Chris VI Hotel Ahiara-Mbaise, a former Executive Director, Finance and Accounts, NNPC; Ezeji, Dr. Kachi Nwoga, a Medical Doctor, ICT Consultant and Practicing Farmer; Mr. Solomon Abiakalam, Group Chief Compliance Officer at Cellulant-Compliance and Risk Executive, and Mrs. Ngozi Chile Oparaocha, a Bank Manager.

All the Committee members affirmed their commitment to serve, to ensure the success of the enterprise and were thereafter prayed for and blessed by Rev Fr Pius Anyanwu of the Ahiara Catholic Diocese, Mbaise.

Other key stakeholders who witnessed the epochal event were the Councilor representing Amuzi/Ihenweorie ward at the Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Council, Hon Chris Uche Agomuo,  Chief Mrs. Susan Adaure Dioka, Chief BC Nwachukwu, Mr. Kelechi Adjaero, Mr. Paschal Adjaero, Hon Uwandu Olelewe SA to the member representing Ahiazu at the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Sam Nkem Otuibe, Hon Vitta Nwaodu, Hon U N Agomuo, Autonomous Communities’ Presidents General for Ogbe, Akpodim and Enyiogugu, namely Hon Innocent Nwaoha, Mr. Kingsley Uzoukwu and Mr. M.I.U Ekwueme respectively.

MPR is the premier pre-eminent Mbaise Public Policy and Business Advisory Council in the World, focused entirely on the development of Mbaise and Imo State, through the facilitation of financial and in-kind resources, private investments and private public partnerships.