By CHARLES IWUOHA

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has embarked on Annual Leave, NewsExpress has learnt.

News Express gathered that the Ebonyi State House of Assembly yesterday gave effect to a letter transmitting executive powers to Her Excellency, Princess Patricia Obila, who has been discharging her duties as the Acting Governor since the Governor proceeded on annual leave.

It was gathered that this is in compliance of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru to section 190 (1) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

Meanwhile, the Acting Governor of Ebonyi State, Princess Patricia Obila, has highlighted the potential of irrigation to significantly enhance crop yields and contribute to food security in Nigeria and across West Africa and the Sahel subregions.

Princess Obila made these remarks at the opening ceremony of the National and Regional Hand in Hand Investment Forum on Irrigation, organized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in Abuja.

The Acting Governor affirmed that the forum was aimed to chart a course for enhancing agricultural productivity in Nigeria, West Africa, and the Sahel subregions.

She commended President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative in Agriculture, leveraging Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential.

Princess Obila reiterated the commitment of the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru’s People’s Charter of Needs Agenda to agricultural development.

She noted that the administration is pursuing initiatives to enhance agricultural productivity, promote irrigation, and support farmers to ensure economic diversification and job creation.