Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Barr. Martins Okechukwu Azubuike, has moved to boost agriculture in his constituency, Isiala Ngwa North, by empowering his constituents with 1,000 bags of NPK fertilizer.

Rt. Hon. Azubuike, who is also Deputy National Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria, stressed the need for Nigerians to go back to the farm to enhance food security. He made the appeal in his country home Umuezenta, Umuomainta Nbawsi, Isiala Ngwa North LGA during the distribution of the fertilizer.

Rt. Hon. Azubuike said his little gesture was meant to encourage his constituents to go back to the land.

He added that Abia State House of Assembly came up with a law HAB 2, establishing the Abia Marketing Agency, explaining that the body will buy excess agricultural produce from the public and save them for future purposes, aimed to enhance food sufficiency. Reacting to the gesture, the Transition Committee Chairman, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Barrister Alex Big Nwosu and his Deputy, Innocent Nwankwere appreciated the Speaker for his thoughtfulness and enjoined youths to go into Agriculture rather than wait on non-existent white collar jobs.

Contributing, the immediate past Chairman of Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Chief Ginger Onwusibe and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Dr. G.C Iwuoha said, Mr. Speaker’s gesture is in line with the promises he made during his campaign, as he promised to bring succor to his constituents if elected, and maintain that Agriculture is one of the five growth pillars of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration.

Lending their voices, the PDP Chairman, Isiala Ngwa North Mr. Onyeukwu Nwogu and the Woman Leader, Mrs. Ijeoma Nwankwo pledged that the fertilizer distribution will be done transparently, irrespective of party affliction and expressed gratitude to Rt. Hon Martins Azubuike over the gesture. She pointed out that farmers are now encouraged to take agriculture seriously. Speaking to newsmen, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Prince Clinton Uba said, Abia State has not experienced this kind of gesture from one person. He praised his boss for his passion in being a champion of empowerment which includes; the sponsoring of Secondary School Quiz and Debate competition; football talent hunt competition; bursary award to undergraduates; monthly payment of 125 vulnerable youths and women, grading and rehabilitation of rural roads in all the 10 wards in his constituency and various other interventions and admonished others to take a cue from him to serve the people and deepen democracy in the country.

Clinton Uba described Rt. Hon. Azubuike as a man full of humility, calmness, intelligence, honesty, carriage and unequalled political sagacity who is loved by his constituents because of his good works and quality representation.

•Photo shows Rt. Hon. Azubuike.

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