The Coordinator of the office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, has applauded the chairman of Ikono Local Government Council, Engr Otobong Essien for the successes recorded in the area of yam cultivation and other agricultural products.
Speaking during the mega yam harvest ceremony of the Council’s ARISE Model Farm, also known as the Ikono Council Demonstration Farm, Ibiaku Ntok Okpo, Lady Helen Obareki applauded the Chairman’s vision in replicating the Agricultural component of the ARISE Agenda, by planting 10,000 stands of yam, and other crops, to ensure food sufficiency and security in the LGA.
Representated by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and social welfare, Hon. Inibehe Silas, Lady Obareki described the feat recorded by Engr. Essien as ‘resilience at work’, encouraging the Council to expand the food cultivation reach in subsequent farming seasons.
“With this 2025 Mega Yam Harvest, the number one farmer in Ikono and Local Government Chairman has reaffirmed her commitment to the ARISE Agenda and set a strong example for other LG councils in Akwa Ibom State to emulate in the pursuit of food security and sustainability,” she added.
Welcoming the delegation from the office of the First Lady, other guests and stakeholders, the Local Government Council Chairman Engr. Oto-Obong Essien expressed gratitude to God for the bountiful harvest and appreciated the collective effort by staff that birthed the success of the demonstration farm, stating that the project was designed to serve as a model for agricultural innovation, youth engagement, and food security.
She prayed that the bountiful harvest of yams would usher in a season of sustainable economic prosperity and all round infrastructural development in the Local Government Area.
The chairman on the occasion and Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, who was represented by Dr. Patricia Ekop, commended the Council Chairman’s foresight in embarking on the audacious planting of yams, disclosing that the Ministry of Agriculture would support the Ikono Local Government Council with the resources needed to cultivate 50,000 yam stands in March 2026, to sustain and scale up their agricultural venture.
Goodwill messages were received from the Paramount Ruler of Ikono Local Government Area, Edidem Nnana Etim Itang, the State Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Head of Service, Ikono LGC, Elder Edet Ukosin, and others, who agreed that Ikono’s pride of place as the cradle of agricultural development in Akwa Ibom State, has been restored.
A feast followed the mega yam harvest with some yam based delicacies processed and exhibited for inspection by the guests and stakeholders.
In the delegation from the First Lady’s office to the maiden yam harvest were the wife of the member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency in the House of Assembly Mrs Ekaette Moses Essien, the wife of the Commissioner for Sports Mrs Helen Paul Bassey and the wife of the Chairman of Ibiono LG Council Mrs Etiemana Asuakak.
