By joshua 
Kogi Project Coordinator Acresal, Visits Olu of Apata; assures of timeless support.
In her quest to take the message of prosperity, environmental protection, soil conservation and development, and food security, (being championed by the ACReSAL Project) to communities in Kogi State, the Project Coordinator, Barr. Ladi Ahmed Jatto was, yesterday, at the Palace of the OLU OF APATA-IPATUN, OWORO KINGDOM, where she was received by the Paramount Ruler, OBA Amb. Frederick Durojaiye Balogun.
The Olu Apata was in company of his Council of Chiefs, Community leaders drawn from all tribes in Apata, the Iya-oloja (Market women leader), as well as the Community Youth Leader.
In her address to the people of Apata, the Project Coordinator thanked the Paramount Ruler for the warm reception accorded her and her team; following which she enlightened them on the PDO of the ACReSAL Project, which is to increase the implementation of sustainable landscapes management practices in targeted watersheds in northern Nigeria and strengthen Nigeria’s long-term enabling environment for integrated climate-resilient landscape management; this, she said, is aimed at ensuring food security in the face of changing climatic conditions, whilst also protecting the environment.
Afterwards, the PC reeled out the purpose of her visit to include (but not limited to) the need for the people of Apata to embrace the benefits associated with Agro-Forestry, where crops are grown alongside trees, which is fostered through a viable partnership with the FAO, provision of land for planting of economic trees, which the Community is sure to benefit from; as well as work hard to make the CRF Scheme a success in Apata Community.
The PC also encouraged the people to take advantage of Kogi ACReSAL’s Dry Season Farming initiative, as she had observed that the people relied more on rain-fed agricultural practices.
Furthermore, the PC, in her usual tradition, reminded the good people of Apata that, the vision for a good life for the people of Kogi State spurred the Government of the State to partner with the World Bank, culminating in the loan which is geared towards the upliftment of lives and livelihoods in the State; she therefore urged the people of Apata to, as a matter of necessity, thank His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his insight, and dedication to uplifting the lives and Livelihoods of the good people of Kogi State.
On his part, the OLU of Apata, while thanking the PC & her team for the visit, pledged the Kingdom’s unfettered support in ensuring the success of the State Government and World Bank’s laudable interventions through the ACReSAL Project.
The Paramount Ruler added that the intervention was apt and timely, as the people of Apata are known to be great farmers, thereby making the prospects for dry season farming, after the rains, a very welcome idea!
Highlights of the visit saw the PC fielding questions from community members, as well as the Chiefs in Council present; this was followed by a photo session.
Afterwards, as a show of commitment to embracing the Project, the visiting ACReSAL team was taken to a vast expanse of land which the Paramount Ruler assured was earmarked for farming, but required inputs and support.
ACReSAL… Greening The Environment… Saving Lives!!!