APC Deputy Guber Candidate Unveils Ebube Anyanwu Initiative, Plans To Position Abia As Biggest Tomato Producer In S’East
The 2027 All Progressives Congress (APC), Deputy Governorship Candidate in Abia State and President General of Ovim, Chief Godswill Agu Egbe, has unveiled the Ebube Anyanwu Initiative, an empowerment programme aimed at promoting sustainable livelihoods and transforming households through agriculture and skills development.
Egbe, who during the official launch of Ebube Anyanwu initiative in Ovim, Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, said the programme was designed to move beyond conventional empowerment schemes that focus mainly on the distribution of motorcycles and sewing machines, to promoting skills and ventures capable of generating sustainable income and expanding household economies.
A major component of the initiative, according to him, is greenhouse tomato farming, which he said could position Abia as the leading tomato-producing state in the Southeast within one year if adopted across communities.
He explained that greenhouse technology would enable farmers to produce tomatoes throughout the year, reducing the impact of seasonal shortages and price fluctuations associated with the crop.
Egbe said the initiative would focus on empowering individuals and households to establish tomato greenhouses, with the objective of creating a network of communities engaged in all-season tomato production.
He noted that if households across Abia could have at least one person engaged in greenhouse tomato production, the combined output would significantly increase the state’s agricultural capacity and establish it as a major tomato-producing destination in the Southeast.
The APC deputy governorship candidate said the initiative was founded on three key principles, people, purpose and possibilities, stressing that its objective was to identify the abilities and aspirations of individuals, develop them into viable opportunities and ultimately transform them into sustainable livelihoods.
He said his experience as President General of Ovim had strengthened his conviction that leadership should be centred on addressing the needs of the people and creating initiatives that improve their quality of life.
Egbe, who is currently on leave of absence from his position as President General to pursue his political ambition, said his leadership impact would best be measured by the people he served.
He disclosed that his decision to resign from the position had been rejected by members of the community, which, according to him, demonstrated the level of confidence and connection established during his tenure.
On his political ambition, Egbe said he was committed to supporting the APC governorship candidate, Chief Eric Opah, and working with him to advance policies focused on improving the welfare and economic wellbeing of Abia residents.
He maintained that the household economy would remain a major consideration in the implementation of their vision, stressing that empowerment should create opportunities capable of growing beyond the initial intervention.
According to him, the Ebube Anyanwu Initiative would provide sustainable and expandable skills, particularly in agriculture, while encouraging beneficiaries to become economically productive and self-reliant.
He further said the initiative reflected the progressive philosophy of the APC by introducing practical economic opportunities that could improve livelihoods and strengthen household incomes across the state.
During the inauguration of the initiative, Hon Okechukwu Okorie was named as the Director General, while Chief Eric Ikwuagwu as the Director Monitoring among others.
