IDH LANDSCAPE REGIONAL DIRECTOR VISITS NISCOPS PROGRAM SITE IN EDO STATE

On July 25 and 26, 2023, the IDH Regional Director, Mr. Jonas Mva Mva accompanied by the IDH Nigeria Country Director, Cyril Ugwu, the Senior Program Manager NISCOPS Dr Chris Okafor and other IDH Staff undertook a 2-day visit to Edo State for interaction with implementation partners, PPI Compact actors and Multistakeholder platform members in the State.

Upon arrival in Benin City at about 7:45 am, the visiting team proceeded to Okomu Oil Palm Company plc located in the Okomu forest landscape. The team arrived at about 10:30 am and paid a courtesy call on the MD of the company Dr. Billy Graham Also present in the meeting were the Conservator-General of the Okomu National Park – Mr Osaze, the Project Manager of ANI Foundation – Mr. Peter Abayam, as well as staff of the Edo State forestry commission and the Okomu PPI Compact coordinator.

The visiting team was well received by the MD of Okomu company who appreciated IDH’s role in mobilizing the landscape actors into a Compact for joint understanding of the pressing issues of forest degradation and insecurity in the landscape and how these links to livelihoods of host communities. He noted that the out-grower scheme is addressing livelihoods and deforestation around the oil palm areas and he commended the effort of Chris Okafor and his team for the initiatives.

Speaking during the courtesy call on the MD/CEO, Okomu Oil Palm Company Ltd, the Senior Program Manager, NISCOPS Nigeria, Chris Okafor said the Team was in the state to discuss progress on implementation of NISCOPS with the partners and brief them on the steps taken towards the actualization of a possible phase 2 of the program.

Also speaking, the Country Director Cyril Ugwu thanked Okomu company and other partners involved in the outgrower scheme for their cooperation and called for further strengthening of the partnership.

In his remarks, the Landscapes Regional Director appreciated the reception by the Okomu MD and commended the commitment being made by actors in the landscape to ensure that the forest is protected and livelihoods of host communities are improved in the landscape, through investment by private and public sector actors and inclusion of the communities in sustainable practices. He also reiterated his support for the actualization of phase 2 of the Program but said all hands must be on deck in order to achieve this.

In his response, the MD/CEO, Okomu Oil Palm Company Ltd thanked IDH for its intervention and support, promising that his company will be ready at all times for such meaningful partnerships for better service delivery to the farmers and the public at large.

In addition, the ANI representative further re-iterated the efforts of IDH at protecting the forest through an NTFP initiative which is being jointly developed between IDH and ANI. After the remarks, photographs were taken and pleasantries exchanged.

The courtesy call was followed by an interactive session with the stakeholders in the outgrower scheme, including Okomu company, service providers and representatives of smallholder cooperatives including women leaders.

The Agric coordinator of Okomu company gave a brief update of the scheme and rated the model as highly beneficial and innovative. He particularly appreciated the Service Delivery Model (SDM) supported by IDH at helping to develop a farmer-friendly scheme with pricing and payment mechanisms that were acceptable to the farmers.

The farmers shared their experience partnering with Okomu company in the scheme and noted that the price offered for the FFBs was favorable and that supplying FFB to Okomu has eliminated drudgery, reduced cost, especially that of firewood. They also expressed their excitement about diversification practice for income and biodiversity. Honey harvested from hives in the smallholder farms were presented during the meeting.

The farmers asked for the initiatives to continue as more farmers needed to be reached in order to improve the standard of living of the people in the communities. The team paid a visit to a 2 -ha farm belonging to Mr. Osadolor's in Udo community – a community close to Okomu company’s plantation.

The second day of the visit was spent interacting with the members of the Implementation Committee of the Okomu Compact and the facilitator of the MSP. This session was attended by major stakeholders within Edo State which includes The Consultant to Edo State Governor, The Forestry Commission, representative of the Ministries of Agriculture, Trade, Environment, Planning; National Park, GIS Office as well as service providers, among others were also present. Activities of Edo State Forestry Commission and the Compact IC were discussed and the role of IDH was applauded by partners.

The exit of the Senior Program Manager of NISCOPS Nigeria - Dr Chris Okafor, from IDH was announced, and participants expressed deep appreciation to him for his selfless services, prayed for him and wished him the best in his future endeavors. The Compact coordinator – Mr. Bashiru Kadiri appreciated the contribution of Chris to the development of the state and announced that an official letter of appreciation from the state government would be sent to Chris.

Finally, a lunch was organized during which the Director-General of NIFOR – Dr. Celestine Ikuenobe presented an official letter of appreciation in honor of the contributions of Chris Okafor to Oil palm development in Nigeria.