Nsit Atai Chairman Flags Off Distribution Of Improved Oil Palm Seedlings

The Executive Chairman of Nsit Atai Local Government Area, Hon. Prince Anthony Nyong, has flagged off the distribution of improved oil palm seedlings allocated to farmers in the area under the Akwa Ibom State Government’s Tree Crop Revolution initiative, with 5,000 seedlings to be distributed in the first phase.

The flag-off ceremony was held at the Nsit Atai Local Government Council Secretariat, Odot, on Monday, September 7, 2026, as part of the State Government’s Tree Crop Revolution programme being implemented across the 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State.

The initiative, under the agricultural development thrust of Governor Umo Bassey Eno’s ARISE Agenda, commenced with the procurement of 620,000 improved oil palm seedlings for distribution to farmers across the state.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prince Nyong commended Governor Umo Eno for the initiative, describing it as a practical step towards reviving agriculture and strengthening tree crop production in Akwa Ibom State.

The Chairman said oil palm farming was a major source of livelihood for the people of Nsit Atai, noting that the local government remains one of the major producers of palm oil in the state.

Related: Nsit Atai Council Expands Umo Eno Model Farm, Flags Off Tree Crop Planting Phase

According to him, oil palm cultivation is deeply rooted in the agricultural activities of the people, with virtually every household in Nsit Atai owning an oil palm plantation.

Prince Nyong said the distribution of improved seedlings would help strengthen the local oil palm industry, increase production, and create additional economic opportunities for farmers.

He also disclosed that the Council had earlier established its own oil palm plantation, explaining that the investment was intended to generate revenue for the local government in the years ahead.

The Chairman acknowledged the Chairman of the State Agriculture and Food Security Committee, Prof. Okon Ansa, for his leadership in coordinating the Tree Crop Revolution across the State.

He disclosed that the Local Government Council had already organised training for beneficiaries on the proper planting and management of the seedlings, saying the exercise was designed to equip farmers with the practical knowledge required to establish their farms and improve the survival of the seedlings.

He further revealed that monitoring committees had been inaugurated at both the ward and local government levels to oversee the implementation of the programme across Nsit Atai.

The committees, he explained, would monitor the planting and growth of the seedlings, ensure compliance with the programme guidelines and provide feedback on the progress of the initiative.

The Chairman urged beneficiaries to regard the seedlings as long-term investments and give them the attention required to grow into productive oil palm plantations.

He specifically warned against selling the seedlings, stressing that they were provided to promote cultivation and create sustainable sources of income for farmers.

“These seedlings are not for sale. They are an investment in your future and the future of your families. If you plant and properly nurture them today, they will provide income and economic opportunities for many years to come,” the Chairman said.

Prince Nyong assured the beneficiaries of the Council’s continued support, in collaboration with the relevant agricultural authorities, to facilitate the proper establishment and management of the farms.

He said the Local Government Administration would continue to support agricultural programmes that improve rural livelihoods, create opportunities for young people and contribute to food production and economic development in Nsit Atai.

Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the State Agriculture and Food Security Committee, Prof. Okon Ansa, the Honorary Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Prof. Trenchard Ibia, thanked Prince Nyong for keying into the Tree Crop Revolution and other development initiatives of the Governor under the ARISE Agenda.

Prof. Ibia commended the Chairman for receiving the State Government’s agricultural team and providing the necessary support for the implementation of the programme in Nsit Atai.

He noted that Nsit Atai was the 14th Local Government Area to be covered in the distribution exercise, adding that other Local Government Areas would also be reached as the programme progresses.

Prof. Ibia disclosed that 5,000 seedlings would be distributed to beneficiaries in Nsit Atai during the first phase, while the remaining 15,000 seedlings would be supplied in the next phase.

He explained that the Tree Crop Revolution was conceived as a long-term agricultural development programme rather than a one-off distribution exercise, with the aim of encouraging farmers to establish productive tree crop plantations that would generate income, create employment and strengthen the state’s agricultural economy.

He disclosed that each beneficiary household would receive 40 improved oil palm seedlings, meaning that 125 households would benefit from the first phase, while the full allocation of 20,000 seedlings would cover 500 households.

Prof. Ibia urged the beneficiaries to apply the knowledge acquired during the training and follow recommended agronomic practices to ensure that the seedlings develop into productive plantations.

He also reiterated the State Government’s directive that the seedlings must not be sold, stressing that the purpose of the programme was to establish productive farms and expand oil palm cultivation across the State.

According to him, oil palm has considerable economic value because of the opportunities it provides in production, processing and marketing, urging the beneficiaries to make proper use of the opportunity provided by the programme.

He assured the farmers that relevant agricultural authorities would continue to provide technical guidance as the programme progresses.

Other speakers at the ceremony, including former Commissioner for Economic Development Elder Lawrence Udosen, the Village Head of Odot 2, Chief Mfon Sunday, and the Nsit Atai APC Chapter Chairman, Elder Etim Mfon, commended the State Government for the initiative.

They encouraged the beneficiaries to plant and properly manage the seedlings, noting that the programme could provide lasting economic benefits to farmers and their families.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Sunday Udo, thanked Governor Umo Eno for the provision of the seedlings, saying the initiative was an investment in the future of the people.

Udo expressed appreciation to the governor and the state government for the agricultural support and pledged the continued support of the beneficiaries for the administration. He also assured the government that the seedlings would be properly planted and nurtured.

The high point of the ceremony was the symbolic presentation of the improved oil palm seedlings to selected beneficiaries.

The event was attended by members of the State Agriculture and Food Security Committee, including Prof. Trenchard Ibia, Prof. Elizabeth, Dr Edem Udo, SSA to the Governor on Agribusiness, Pastor Godwin Ukwat, and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

Also present were the Vice Chairman, Hon. Affiong Amanam; Council Secretary, Obong Sunday Udia; Leader of the Legislature, Hon. Ubong Udoeyo; Councillors; Supervisor for Agriculture, Hon. Unwana Orok; Supervisors; Council officials; Traditional chiefs; farmers; and other dignitaries.