Business
THE Edo chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), on Monday, elected a new executive to steer its affairs for the next three years.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Joel Usiagu emerged the Chairman at the election held in Benin.
Addressing members ahead of the exercise, the Deputy National President (Operations) of AFAN, Chief Asuquo Asuquo, cautioned against unhealthy rivalry, urging stakeholders to prioritise unity and service over personal ambition.
“There is no need to struggle for positions. We are all farmers. Leadership is about sacrifice so that everyone can benefit.
“No need for division. Wherever you are, government will locate you,” he said.
Asuquo also said that the association had harmonised its structures nationwide, pointing out that inclusivity remained central to its operations.
“We now have harmonised structures across the country, and we are happy that SWOFON is part of this,” he said.
The newly elected officials were subsequently sworn in by the association’s Assistant National Secretary, Kabiru Danbaba.
Speaking with newsmen after his inauguration, Usiagu pledged his commitment to unify the members and ensure that government-backed interventions reached genuine farmers at the grassroots.
He said the unification of factions within the association remained his immediate priority.
“We have to unite all the factions of the farmer family.
“We must ensure that we have one national body, one state structure, and that this unity runs from the grassroots to the top,” Usiagu said.
He promised that his leadership would focus on equitable distribution of resources and opportunities to farmers, as against what he described as the previous “swallow and chop approach”.
“What we will be doing now is to ensure that whatever comes from the state or national level is shared down to the grassroots, so that the real farmers benefit,” he said.
On the persistent security challenges faced by farmers, including crop theft and attacks in rural communities, Usiagu said his leadership would adopt advocacy and collaborative strategies to support affected members.
“We are not a law enforcement agency, but we can write petitions, follow them up, and engage relevant authorities,” he said.
He also advocated cluster farming as a practical solution to insecurity and inefficiency in the sector.
“Instead of farming in isolation, farmers should come together, farm in clusters and organise joint vigilance.
“That way, they can protect themselves better and improve productivity,” Usiagu said.
Responding to concerns about political influence in the distribution of agricultural support, Usiagu admitted that the practice existed but assured members that efforts would be made to prioritise genuine farmers.
“You cannot completely separate politics from government interventions, but whatever comes to AFAN, we will ensure that it gets to the farmers who truly deserve it,” he said.
Other elected officers included Deputy Chairman, Tony Alius, Vice Chairman, Edo South; Dr Ezekiel Oseimwan, Vice Chairman, Edo North; Osas Ojeikere, Secretary, Valentine Uwaka, and Organising Secretary, Abel Isiwe, among others. (NAN)
A.I
April 14, 2026
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