The Abia State Government , in collaboration with the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), has officially flagged off the enumeration of beneficiaries under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) 3.0 FarmerMoni initiative in Umuahia, the state capital, while inaugurating and training desk officers across the state’s 17 local government areas.

The even t, organised by the Abia State Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, marks another step towards expanding access to affordable agricultural financing for smallholder farmers in the state.

Speaking at the ceremony, the National Coordinator of GEEP, Hon. Ibrahim Hamzat Baba, described Abia as a state renowned for entrepreneurship and commended Governor Alex Otti for creating an enabling environment for agricultural development.

He explained that FarmerMoni is one of the components of GEEP, alongside TraderMoni and MarketMoni, designed by the Federal Government to provide interest-free and collateral-free microloans to vulnerable Nigerians who ordinarily have limited access to conventional banking facilities.

According to him, FarmerMoni specifically targets smallholder farmers involved in crop cultivation, poultry, livestock production, fisheries and other agricultural activities, providing them with financial support to expand their operations and improve productivity.

He disclosed that eligible beneficiaries can access loans of up to ₦300,000 without interest or collateral, adding that the funds are intended to help farmers purchase seedlings, agricultural inputs, livestock feed and other essential materials.

Baba emphasised that FarmerMoni is a loan scheme, not a grant, explaining that repayment is expected to commence between six and nine months after disbursement.

He noted that the revolving nature of the programme would enable other farmers to benefit from the intervention as previous beneficiaries repay their loans.

The National Coordinator further explained that the programme prioritises women, young people and vulnerable farmers and is aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the National Development Plan 2026–2030.

He charged the newly inaugurated local government desk officers to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, accuracy and accountability, stressing that only registered beneficiaries whose details have been verified should be enumerated.

He also warned the officers against demanding money from farmers, insisting that participation in the programme is free.

Baba urged them to treat farmers with dignity and ensure that women, youths and vulnerable groups are not excluded from the exercise.

He further cautioned the officers to handle the tablets provided for the exercise with care, explaining that the devices would also be used during subsequent enumeration exercises for TraderMoni and MarketMoni beneficiaries.

Commending the agricultural initiatives of the Abia State Government, he observed that Governor Otti’s administration had adopted a data-driven approach to agricultural development rather than relying solely on the distribution of farm inputs.

He particularly highlighted the state’s reported agricultural database system, farmer identification initiatives and the appointment of farm managers across the 17 local government areas.

Baba disclosed that the state had reached over 18,634 farmers through its agricultural support programme in July 2026, describing the development as a strong foundation for the successful implementation of FarmerMoni.

He encouraged the desk officers to collaborate with the state’s agricultural structures, including the appointed farm managers, to ensure that genuine farmers in rural communities are reached.

In her remarks, the Abia State Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Dr mrs Ngozi Blessing Felix welcomed the NSIPA delegation and appreciated the Federal Government for extending the intervention to farmers in the state.

The Ministry noted that agriculture remains a major source of livelihood for many Abia households but observed that inadequate access to affordable financing continues to limit the ability of smallholder farmers to expand production and acquire essential agricultural inputs.

It described FarmerMoni as a timely intervention that would complement the agricultural development efforts of Governor Alex Otti’s administration by providing farmers with additional financial opportunities.

The Ministry also acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding economic opportunities for smallholder farmers, while appreciating the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her efforts towards supporting women, young people and vulnerable groups through the Renewed Hope initiative.

It disclosed that NSIPA’s national office had completed the online revalidation of 1,160 farmers in Abia State, with the next phase involving a 20-day physical field enumeration exercise across the 17 local government areas.

The exercise, according to the Ministry, will involve physical verification of beneficiaries, documentation of their farming activities and collection of relevant information for further assessment under the programme.

The Ministry, however, clarified that enumeration does not automatically guarantee approval or disbursement of loans, urging farmers to provide accurate information and cooperate with the designated officers.

It also called on the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, the Agricultural Development Programme and other relevant stakeholders to support the exercise by facilitating access to farming communities.

The Ministry reaffirmed the Abia State Government’s commitment to creating opportunities that would improve livelihoods, strengthen agricultural productivity and promote economic independence, particularly in rural communities.

Also speaking, the South-East Coordinator of GEEP, Mrs Ifeoma Mba, described the assignment as a serious responsibility and urged the newly inaugurated officers to approach their duties with dedication and professionalism.

She encouraged them to work closely with the State Programme Manager, who would provide the necessary guidance and direction throughout the exercise.

Mba also issued a stern warning against collecting money from farmers under any guise, stressing that no beneficiary should be made to pay before or during the enumeration process.

“Do us proud in this assignment,” she charged the officers.

In her vote of thanks, the State Programme Manager, Mrs Ucheoma Udor, urged the desk officers to demonstrate professionalism, integrity and commitment to the success of the programme.

She charged them to ensure that eligible farmers across the 17 local government areas benefit from the initiative, while maintaining accuracy and transparency throughout the enumeration exercise.

The 17 local government desk officers, selected to represent their respective councils, were subsequently trained and equipped with tablets and power banks to facilitate their field assignments

Isaac Ugwu Consultant GEEP Southeast facilitated the training

Among government officials present at the event were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs Ada Ukandu; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Meg Onwu; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Sir Chris Onwuegbu; and other top government functionaries.

The GEEP 3.0 FarmerMoni initiative is expected to strengthen access to agricultural financing, support smallholder farmers and contribute to im

proved food production and economic empowerment across Abia State.

The Nigeria Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) Ohafia chapter on Friday, 30 October 2026 through an awareness programme intensified efforts at promoting the rights, health and well-being of the girl child at Command Secondary School, Ohafia. The programme brought together officers, soldiers students, mothers, members of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) and other participants to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child, World Mental Health Day and Breast Cancer Awareness Day.

In her opening remarks, The NAOWA Coordinator Ohafia chapter, Dr Shafa’atu Dikko who was represented by
Mrs Ruth Zubairu, commended the initiative aimed at improving the welfare and development of the girl child. She restated the importance of collective efforts in creating a society where girls are protected, educated and empowered to realise their full potential.

The theme of the programme *”End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,”* provided an important platform for learning, interaction and awareness, equipping participants with relevant knowledge on the protection of girls’ rights, the dangers of child marriage, breast cancer prevention and mental health management.

The initiative further reinforced NAOWA’s commitment to promoting the welfare of women and children through advocacy, education and community engagement, while encouraging students to make informed decisions about their health, rights and future.

Highlights of the event included an awareness walk, lectures, interactive sessions, and group photographs.

*MAZINHO ATTAH*
Captain
Assistant Director Army Public Relations
14 Brigade Nigerian Army
Ohafia, Abia State
02 November 2026

The President of the Asa Liberation Movement (ALM), Hon. Emeka Adiele, has dismissed allegations of demanding financial inducement from Chief Sam Nwogu’s Campaign Organisation, describing the claims as false, misleading and an attempt to discredit his person and undermine the integrity of the movement.

Adiele, in a detailed statement titled “My Response to Chief Sam Nwogu’s Campaign Media Team and Setting the Record Straight for Future Purposes,” maintained that he never demanded money from the campaign organisation, insisting that the financial dealings between both parties were initiated by Chief Nwogu.

The ALM president explained that Chief Nwogu voluntarily offered to support the movement’s meetings beginning in September 2026, adding that the politician provided financial assistance on three occasions: twice in September and once in October.

He further alleged that during one of Nwogu’s meetings with the ALM leadership, the politician offered ₦5 million and a Sienna bus in what he described as an attempt to influence the movement’s leadership. According to him, the offer was rejected by him and other stakeholders to protect the independence of the organisation.

Addressing the controversy surrounding the movement’s mock election, Adiele claimed that Nwogu personally contacted him on the eve of the exercise and offered ₦500,000 to influence its outcome.

He said he rejected the offer and advised Nwogu to seek support through the recognised process of canvassing votes among stakeholders.

Adiele further alleged that in the early hours of Saturday, October 24, 2026, a stakeholder, Charles Samankwe, informed him that Nwogu had sent ₦1 million to secure victory in the exercise.

He maintained that he did not interfere with the process, stressing that every stakeholder was free to support their preferred candidate.

The ALM president disclosed that Nwogu eventually lost the mock election to Engr. Adinigwe Ugochukwu Nwoke, suggesting that the outcome may have contributed to the subsequent disagreement between the politician and the movement’s leadership.

On another financial transaction, Adiele explained that during a consultation visit by Nwogu and Prince Ikonne, the former allegedly sent ₦1.7 million, comprising ₦700,000 for preparations and ₦1 million for members’ transportation.

He added that Prince Ikonne subsequently contributed another ₦1 million for transportation, bringing the total transportation support to ₦2 million, which he said was distributed among members who attended the meeting.

Adiele also recounted an earlier meeting with Nwogu in Port Harcourt, alleging that Charles Samankwe had requested consultation fees before political discussions could commence. He said money was subsequently handed to him by Samankwe, who identified it as the consultation fee requested from Nwogu.

Tracing the history of his relationship with the politician, Adiele disclosed that he first encountered Nwogu in March 2022 through Hon. Kingsley Enyite, who, according to him, requested that ALM’s platform be made available to help improve Nwogu’s political image.

He consequently rejected suggestions that Nwogu single-handedly established or sustained the Asa Liberation Movement, describing such claims as a distortion of the organisation’s history.

The ALM president also dismissed reports that Nwogu was appointed Life Patron of the movement, challenging those making the claim to produce an official appointment letter, resolution or any document issued by the recognised leadership of the organisation.

According to him, ALM operates as an organised political pressure group with established structures and leadership, rather than an individual’s personal organisation.

Adiele maintained that his account represented his personal experience and dealings with Nwogu, insisting that he had no reason to misrepresent the circumstances surrounding their relationship.

He challenged Nwogu and his campaign media team to publicly present any evidence capable of contradicting his account.

The ALM president further warned that he would consider legal action against individuals responsible for publishing allegations he considers damaging to his reputation. He also indicated his willingness to make further disclosures about the political history of Ukwa land from 2007 to date if the controversy persists.

He concluded by reaffirming his position as the President of the Asa Liberation Movement, insisting that the organisation’s independence and institutional integrity must be protected.