By Chukwuemeka Opara, Abakaliki
In a ceremony that underscores the deep connection between sustainable development and cultural recognition, Dr. Fatima Aliyu, the National Programme Coordinator of the IFAD-assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), was honoured with a prestigious chieftaincy title in Ebonyi State. The event became a platform for a powerful message on national cohesion and the tangible impact of agricultural investment.
On Tuesday, Dr. Aliyu was conferred with the title of “Nne na-edozi obodo” (meaning “The Mother Who Fixes the Community”) by the Amike Autonomous Community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area. In her acceptance, she framed the honour not just as a personal accolade, but as a recognition of the collective work of the VCDP and a symbol of Nigeria’s potential unity.
“This title is a profound honour that binds me closer to the people of Amike and Ebonyi,” Aliyu stated. “It signifies that development, when done with and for the community, transcends mere projects and becomes part of the social fabric. It also reminds us that our nation’s rich diversity—of tribe, region, and creed—should be a source of strength, not division. We must see ourselves as brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, irrespective of where we hail from.”
Beyond the Title: The IFAD-VCDP’s Concrete Impact
The chieftaincy conferment is directly linked to the measurable improvements the IFAD-VCDP has facilitated in the community. The programme, which focuses on enhancing the productivity and market access for smallholder farmers in rice and cassava value chains, has delivered significant infrastructure and economic benefits.
Chief Sunday Ituma, the VCDP State Programme Coordinator for Ebonyi—who himself was previously honoured by the community—detailed the interventions: “Our work here has moved beyond theory. The community has benefitted from critical rural infrastructure like culverts and mini-bridges that connect farmers to markets, and support for market development itself. These are not gifts; they are investments in the community’s own capacity to thrive.”
Dr. Aliyu noted that the VCDP is actively operating in eight LGAs across Ebonyi, consistently working to “enhance food security and income sustainably.” Her recent visit a fortnight prior for the distribution of dry-season farming inputs highlighted the programme’s ongoing commitment. The state government, represented at that event by the wife of the Governor, expressed strong approval for the VCDP’s interventions, which have aligned with state-level agricultural priorities.
A Model for Integrated Development
This event illustrates a potent model for national development: where external programmes earn local legitimacy through respect and results. The traditional ruler, Eze Mike Nwankwo, used the occasion to also honour other deserving individuals from within and outside Ebonyi, reinforcing the theme of interconnectedness.
“The NPC’s presence inspires us to do more,” added Chief Ituma, emphasizing how such recognition motivates the ground team. For Dr. Aliyu, the title “Nne na-edozi obodo” is now a permanent reminder of the programme’s mandate. “It is a call to action,” she concluded. “A charge to continue working so that every community can be ‘fixed’ through empowerment, opportunity, and unity. The progress in Amike is a microcosm of what is possible for Nigeria.”
Edited by Sam Oditah. Source: NAN
