Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority (LNRBDA), on Friday received representatives of the Okun community in Kwara State to discuss critical development initiatives impacting the region.
The meeting held in Ilorin, Kwara State capital with warm reception and collaborative dialogue, underscored the Authority’s commitment to addressing local priorities, including water resource management, agricultural sustainability, and infrastructure development.
Adeyemi enthused that the engagement emphasized the importance of community involvement towards shaping projects that directly affect their livelihoods.
The Okun delegation, representing a culturally significant Yoruba subgroup in Kwara, raised concerns and sought updates on ongoing and planned interventions by the LNRBDA the area considered as the cornerstone for development.
A focal point of the discussion was the Omi Dam, a strategic water infrastructure project designed to enhance irrigation, dry season farming, potable water supply, and hydroelectric potential in the region.
Hon. Adeyemi elaborated on the dam’s progress, reiterating its role in bolstering agricultural productivity and mitigating water scarcity.
The project, he noted, aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s government’s Renewed Hope’s vision and broader goals of sustainable resource management and economic diversification.
The agenda of the parley also focused on Grazing Reserves in Ponyan, aimed to promote harmony and productivity.
Addressing plans for the grazing reserves in Ponyan, Adeyemi disclosed that an initiative aimed at curbing farmer-herder conflicts while modernizing livestock management, have reached its peak.
“Though Ponyan is geographically situated in neighboring Kogi State, the project holds regional significance, potentially benefiting Kwara’s Okun farmers through cross-state collaboration.
“The reserves are expected to integrate fodder production, veterinary services, and land-use efficiency, fostering peace and economic resilience”, he said.
Another important area of intervention discussed during the meeting is Integrated Farming in Ekinrinade: A Model for Sustainability
Hon. Adeyemi highlighted the Ekinrinade Integrated Farm Project, which envisions a holistic approach to agriculture by combining crop cultivation, livestock rearing, and agro-processing.
This initiative, he disclosed, aims to empower local farmers, reduce post-harvest losses, and create employment opportunities.
According to him, “LNRBDA’s support for such schemes reflects its mandate to drive innovative, community-centric development across the Niger River Basin”.
Adeyemi further pledged the Authority’s dedication to prioritizing projects that align with the Okun community’s needs, particularly in water security and agrarian development.
Community leaders lauded the dialogue, expressing optimism that these initiatives would translate into tangible improvements in livelihoods and regional stability.
The LNRBDA’s proactive engagement with Kwara’s Okun community signals a broader effort to bridge grassroots input with national development agendas, ensuring inclusive growth in Nigeria’s river basin regions.
