The Kwara Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) has taken its sensitization mission to Ipetu- Igbomina in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State in its bid to consolidate on the achievements of the project’s developmental objectives.
The State Project Coordinator, Alhaji Shamsideen Olatunbosun Aregbe said the mission was to educate and enlighten the community members on the implementation of the project in targeted benefiting Communities in the State.
The Coordinator, who recalled that similar sensitization visits have been made to some other benefiting communities as part of the ongoing efforts to ensure smooth implementation of the project in the State.
The Project Coordinator, who was represented by the Project Engineer, Engr. Hussein Abubakar Sadiq, described the exercise as a developmental mission, intended to revitalize agriculture, mitigate the effect of climate change and improve communal livelihood as well as enlighten the people on the benefits of the project to the socio-economic wellbeing of the people and the community at large.
He appreciated the State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his unflinching efforts at promoting the State’s economic and agricultural development which has gone a very long way in boosting food security and enhancing food productivity.
The State Project Coordinator further explained that the ACReSAL project is a World Bank-supported multi-sectoral project in the 19 Northern States including the FCT with Kwara State as one of the participating states. In his words, the project is aimed at mitigating and restoring degraded lands, address the problem of water shortage, deforestation and other challenges associated with climate change.
Speaking on the project components, Aregbe emphasized that the Ipetu community is one of the beneficiaries of the project, adding that by the time the project is fully implemented, the community would be significantly impacted positively.
Receiving the KWACReSAL team, His Royal Highness, the paramount ruler of Ipetu-Igbomina, Oba Samuel Olabanji Olanrewaju Erinfolami, expressed his delight to the Executive Governor of kwara State, Mallam AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman for considering his community worthy of hosting such an important project. He assured the team of his community’s support in realising the project objectives.
The Monarch also assured of the cooperation of his people, stating that nursery would be jealously guarded and protected. In the words of His Royal Highness, “it delights us that Ipetu- Igbomina is included in this project, as a community we are ready to work with you” he said.
Speaking on the “establishment of nurseries and its benefits”, the Agric Officer, Mrs Temitope Oke said the nursery contains exotic and hybrid seedlings which will benefit not only the community but other communities facing the challenges of land degradation and erosion.
On her part, the Gender Based Violence Officer, Mrs Eniola Aina emphasised the importance of ensuring that female inclusiveness is key in achieving the project’s objective. She emphasized that the project encapsulates gender balancing as females take 40% of the project’s implementation, just as the inclusion of the vulnerable and marginalized groups is key. Aina noted that the project frowns at discrimination against group selection to achieve success.
Giving the closing remarks, the Asanlu of Ipetu-Igbomina, Chief Mohammed Adebayo Owolabi, implored that indigenes of the community should be employed to work at the project site to enhance communal sense of belonging and sustainability. He assured of their readiness to support the project to its fullness, stating that any act of violence will not be condoned by the community in the course of the project implementation.
