Okoloma Indigenous Farmers and Butchers Cooperative Society Limited has indicated its readiness to partner with the Bonny Youth Federation to harnessing opportunities in Agriculture for youths of Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Leader of the Cooperative, Adonye Jumbo gave this indication on Thursday, December 14, 2023 when he led a delegation comprising his members on courtesy visit to the Leader of BYF, Anthony Banigo at the BYF Secretariat, along King Asimini Bypass, Bonny.

“We are here to introduce ourselves and assure you that we, the Bonny Okoloma Farmers’ are willing and ready to partner with you because we’ve checked your antecedents and confirmed that you have the mandate to carry Bonny people to a greater height.

“On that note, we deem it necessary for us to be here today to reassure you that we are willing to work with you to sensitize the youths on our profession which is farming, which is our specialization.”

Jumbo congratulated the BYF Leader on his election, indicating that the Cooperative wish to work with the BYF to help youths take advantage of opportunities in Agriculture, urging him and his executive to always reach out to them with a view to sustaining the relationship.

He said some of the organizations that make up the cooperative are Presser Head Global Farmers, Ado Queens Farm, Polodabo, and Ibinabress, which are into fishery, poultry, piggery, tilapia and catfish farming, cash crops, and fish farming.

Responding, the Leader of the Bonny Youth Federation, Anthony Banigo assured that he will try his best as the leader to make the community and its leaders know about the cooperative, disclosing that he has his academic background in Agriculture.

“I can assure you that wherever I go to speak from today I’ll always make reference to this body. As a matter of fact, by next year when I’ll be meeting with the NLNG management, part of my request will be a percentage should be given to the farmers to be supplying either pork, fish, and other farm products to every catering company.”

“When I meet with His Majesty, I’ll also whisper this idea to him and also tell him that I’m a member of the association.

He expressed the need for the association to announce itself as a farmers’ cooperative, stressing that Agriculture is a tool for engaging young people, stating that “you need to drum your presence and show leadership in the farming sector”.

In the delegation were the Cooperatives’ Secretary, Fubara Abbey, Kelvin Pepple, Ibisoma Bristol, Sotonye Banigo, Tina Abbey, and Queeneth Jumbo, among others.

Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of some farm produce to the BYF Leader by the Farmers’ Cooperative.