Enugu Government Praises Rapid Progress at 10,000-Hectare Tribu Songhai Agro Hub
The Enugu State Government has expressed profound satisfaction with the remarkable pace and extensive scale of work currently underway at the expansive 10,000-hectare Enugu Tribu Songhai Farms located in Obunofia Ndiuno, within the Ezeagu Local Government Area. This commendation followed a comprehensive inspection tour of the facility conducted on Wednesday, highlighting the state's commitment to agricultural revitalization.
Inspection Tour Reveals Advanced Stage of Development
The inspection was led by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Dr. Patrick Ubru, who was accompanied by key partners involved in the Enugu Tribu Songhai Farms Ltd initiative. Notably, the delegation included the esteemed founder of the globally recognized Songhai model, Professor Godfrey Nzamujo. The primary objective of the visit was to meticulously assess the ongoing progress in reactivating this once-dormant agricultural asset, which is now being strategically repositioned into a fully integrated agro-industrial, training, and innovation ecosystem. This transformation is being executed under the state's robust public-private partnership framework, designed to leverage both governmental support and private sector expertise.
At the time of the inspection, work had reached an impressively advanced stage across multiple critical components of the project. Significant portions of the vast farmland had been thoroughly cleared, and essential access roads had been graded to facilitate movement and logistics. Furthermore, 54 large fish ponds have been successfully constructed, marking a substantial milestone in the aquaculture segment of the hub. Visible and commendable progress was also observed in the comprehensive revamp of piggeries and poultry houses, the reactivation of water supply systems, and the renovation of residential quarters, training centers, and other vital infrastructure necessary for a fully operational agro-industrial complex.
Government Commendation and Future Outlook
During the tour, Commissioner Dr. Patrick Ubru took the opportunity to commend State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, for demonstrating exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment in delivering on his electoral promise to revitalize agriculture through strategic and innovative partnerships. Ubru emphasized that this visit served as a follow-up to an earlier inspection conducted just three weeks prior by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, alongside Dr. Nnamdi Ozor, the CEO of Tribu Limited, who serves as the core investor in this transformative project.
He noted with enthusiasm that the speed and scale of progress witnessed were unprecedented in the state's recent agricultural initiatives. "This is not the kind of opportunity we should allow to slip away. When the governor said he would transform agriculture with technology and serious partners like Songhai, today it is happening," Ubru stated emphatically. The Commissioner further disclosed that the government is already looking ahead with optimism to the formal commissioning of the facility, expressing strong confidence that the project will be ready for inauguration in the very near term.
"I believe that between now and next month, we will return here with His Excellency to commission this project. By then, we expect to see even more expansion, including ranching and full engagement of our young people," he added, outlining the immediate future trajectory. Dr. Ubru elaborated that the Enugu Tribu Songhai Farm is being meticulously developed as a large-scale agro-industrial hub with a multifaceted focus on food production, value-chain development, enterprise incubation, and youth empowerment. Given its vast land size and integrated structural design, the project is projected to generate substantial employment opportunities, significantly boost food security within the region, and strategically position Enugu State as a leading destination for modern, technology-driven agriculture in Nigeria.
Transformative Vision and Youth Empowerment
Also speaking during the inspection, Professor Godfrey Nzamujo, the visionary founder of the Songhai model, described the project as a truly transformative platform poised to redefine agriculture and youth engagement not only in Enugu State but across broader regions. He articulated that this initiative is set to change the prevailing narrative by actively positioning young people as dynamic drivers of production and innovation, rather than passive recipients of governmental support.
"Because young people are coming here, the Enugu story, the South East story, and indeed the Nigerian story will be different," Professor Nzamujo stated with conviction. He stressed that the project ambitiously goes beyond conventional farming practices, representing instead a holistic system where agriculture, industry, and services are seamlessly integrated into a single, synergistic ecosystem. "Agriculture is going to become a weapon of mass socio-economic construction. From the primary stage, industry and services will grow from here. This place will become a microcosm of government, where everything is reintegrated and works in synergy," he explained, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the model.
Professor Nzamujo further elaborated that the initiative is specifically designed to empower participants through practical, hands-on training that fosters self-reliance and entrepreneurial spirit. "We are not here to give palliative. Young people are the solution. With this kind of training, they will not be looking for jobs; they will be able to create their own opportunities," he added, underscoring the empowerment-centric philosophy of the Songhai approach.
Stakeholder Endorsement and Collaborative Prospects
Adding to the chorus of approval, a prominent farmer in the state, Alhaji Sani Friday Nnaji, CEO of Ugwu Anama Farm Ltd, who participated in the inspection tour, expressed his deep satisfaction with both the scale and quality of work observed on the ground. He praised Governor Peter Mbah for prioritizing agriculture as a cornerstone of the state's development agenda and noted that his visit was strategically intended to explore potential areas of collaboration with the burgeoning Enugu Tribu Songhai Farms initiative.
Nnaji shared that he was particularly delighted to meet Professor Godfrey Nzamujo in person, describing him as a legendary figure whose innovative model has successfully reshaped agricultural practices across the African continent. "I am truly impressed by what I have seen here. This is a bold and visionary project that will redefine agriculture in Enugu State. I came to explore areas of collaboration, and meeting Prof. Nzamujo today is something I consider a great privilege," he stated, signaling strong stakeholder endorsement and the potential for fruitful partnerships that could further amplify the project's impact.
