2ND Year Anniversary: A Call On Governor Sheriff Oborevwori To Kick Start Agric Revolution in Delta State

By Wilson Macaulay

As Governor Sheriff Oborevwori  have just  marked his second year in office, Deltans across the 25 local government areas reflect on his achievements, challenges, and the path ahead. While infrastructural strides and civil service reforms have earned him commendations, a louder  and more urgent call is rising: the need to ignite a full-scale agricultural revolution in Delta State.

At the heart of this call lies an untapped treasure—Songhai Delta Farm, Amukpe. Once envisioned as a model for integrated agro-industrial development, unfortunately , the farm today stands largely underutilized, a sleeping giant with the potential to change the trajectory of Delta’s economy, food systems, youth employment and capacity building opportunities.

The Songhai Vision: A Blueprint for Self-Sufficiency

Modeled after the world-renowned Songhai Centre in Porto-Novo, Benin Republic, the Songhai Farm at Amukpe, Sapele LGA, was conceived as a one-stop hub for modern agriculture—integrating crop farming, animal husbandry, aquaculture, agro-processing, bioenergy, and research. It was designed not just to grow food but to grow farmers, entrepreneurs, and a new agricultural mindset.

The 314-hectare facility boasts of  infrastructure that could support massive production in areas like poultry, piggery, fishery, cassava processing, greenhouses, and bio-fertilizers  manufacturing. The facility also includes training dormitories, labs, and irrigation systems—a rare asset in a region often plagued by seasonal farming.

Sadly, this golden goose with huge  opportunity remains under leveraged, out of  lack of Will  power. Today,Weeds now grow where young agripreneurs should be trained. Ponds lie empty where catfish could be harvested. Warehouses sit idle instead of bulging with cassava chips and processed palm oil. The Songhai dream in Amukpe is fast fading—unless decisive action is taken, it will soon become history.

Why Delta State Must Lead an Agric Revolution—Now

The time for the Delta State  Government to embrace Agricultural  Revolution is  Now and it  has never been more urgent. This call to action should not be as a rural afterthought but because  Agriculture is a strategic economic sector  . The oil based mono economy is no longer fashionable and realistic . Youth unemployment is soaring. The cost of food is spiraling beyond the reach of the common man, what is the answer, Agriculture Revolution.

Delta State, blessed with arable land, a tropical climate, an extensive river system, and a vibrant youth population, we have everything it takes to lead Nigeria’s next green revolution. All we need is the audacity to take the bold step. Based on the Pedigree of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, l have reason to believe that Delta State can achieve this milestone if all hands are put on desk over this very important issue of food security.

Agriculture can no longer be viewed as subsistence for the poor. It must be repositioned as an industrial enterprise, with full government backing, private sector collaboration, and a business-driven policy framework, preferably using the Public Private Partnership approach which will not exact much pressure on the public vault.

Stakeholders Speak Out

Stakeholders from different sectors of the Delta economy  added their voices to the call for Governor Oborevwori to reawaken the agricultural sector—starting with Songhai Farm.

Comrade Sunny Anireto, President Socioeconomic Network For Good Governance SONGG, and  Comrade Karo Erueme the PRO of SONGG who spoke,  stated:

"The Songhai Farm was a brilliant vision underutilized. If reactivated, it can empower thousands of youths, reduce hunger, and even make Delta an exporter of agricultural products. We are calling on His Excellency, to prioritize and  integrate this call for Agricultural Revolution as a legacy project in his M.O.R.E. Agenda."

High  Comrade Joseph Lamienghan, Secretary of HOSTCOM Delta State, echoed this call, saying:

"Beyond oil, we must secure our future with food. The Niger Delta has fertile land—let’s use it. Reopening Songhai and expanding similar projects will give our people back their dignity and restore food security."

Ambassador Agadia Samuel Oghenegare, alias The Street Governor, of the Save Urhobo Youth Forum, remarked:

"Governor Oborevwori has done well with infrastructure. Now it’s time to feed the people and create jobs. Youths want to farm, but they need training, support, and land. Let’s revive Songhai and set up Agric clusters in every zone of the state."

Comrade Jedje Agbaria Emmanuel, leader of the Urhobo Ex-Agitators under the Presidential Amnesty Programme (Third Phase), added:

"We have ex-agitators who are willing to become agropreneurs, but the system must provide access to structured training and funding. The Songhai model is ideal—it offers practical learning, not just theory."

The Way Forward: A New Deal for Agriculture

Besides the infrastructures which are clearly standing out , if  Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, wants another sure Way to   leave a legacy that will transcends roads and bridges, it must include building a resilient, food-secure, and job-rich agricultural economy.

Stakeholders suggest the following roadmap:

1. Immediate reactivation of Songhai Amukpe as a flagship Agric and enterprise hub for the immediate take off of Practical Agriculture Revolution. The Concept of Agric Revolution has been validated by the academia and other relevant think tanks as an idea whose time has come. Any attempt to give this call to action a political coloration will amount to self inflicted injury.

2. Establishment of Agro-clusters farms in the  3 senatorial districts, leveraging local comparative advantages. For example , a Tomato Farm Estate at lgbodo, Yam Cluster farm Estate , at Abavo and Asabase ,Rice Farming estate at Deghele, Warri South, aquaculture in the coastal bed of Delta South, mechanise fishery or deep sea farming.  In the riverine ijaw Communities,

with Songhai Farm as the Power House and anchor point of the Delta Green Revolution.

3. Partnerships with private sector players and agritech innovators to drive investment and youth interest using the PPP method which is good for all Stakeholders.

4. Creation of an Agriculture and Enterprise Development Trust Fund to provide grants and low-interest loans to trained agripreneurs which must be practical farmers not the farmers on paper that we use to know. There must be a paradymn shift on how go about the modus operandi of this Policy to ensure that we come out with impressive result.

5. Integration of agricultural training into state empowerment programs like STEP, YAGEP, and Delta Cares 

Conclusion: A Call to Action

As Deltans commemorate two years of the Oborevwori administration, they are not just asking for continuity; they are demanding transformation. The call to resuscitate Songhai Farm and launch an agricultural revolution is not political—it is existential. It is about food, jobs, dignity, and the future.

The second half of Oborevwori’s term must be bolder , It should be more  inclusive., and it  should be green to save more lives.

Delta’s destiny may not  necessarily  lie  in crude oil but in Agriculture  and enterprise powered by diligent and focused human capital as it has been proven in other climes. Let us go green to guarantee the future of our children.

God bless Delta State.

Wilson Macaulay is a seasoned journalist, public affairs analyst, and advocate for economic justice. He is the Anchor of the Column: The Prism of the Ruled.

He writes passionately on governance, development, and the socio-economic realities facing modern Nigeria