From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
A mission school in Abia State, Kingdom Bible College of the Word Foundation (KBCWF), is seeking partnership with both the Federal and Abia State Governments on agriculture towards ensuring food security.
Founder of the college, Rev’d Emmanuel Ukoha, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the college’s permanent site at Ozu Abam in Arochukwu Local Government Area, believed that such partnership would lead to the production of enough food for the people.
According to him, the college has over 200 hectares of farmland, most of which are being cultivated to produce food for students’ consumption, while the remaining foods are being sold to neighbouring communities.
“All foods that are consumed in this school are produced in this place and the remaining are sold at various markets in Abia at subsidised prices. Our major sources of income are farming and contracts. We have been looking for partnership, not only with Abia State alone, but the Federal Government and Abia State Governments.”
He expressed optimism that the state governor, Dr. Alex Otti, who has been agriculture-friendly, would without hesitation, accept the partnership proposal to achieve food security in the state.
Ukoha assured that the college has expanse of farmland that can produce enough food for the Abia population, if the Federal and Abia State Governments could partner it.
On the allegation that activities at the college are shrouded in secrecy, the KBCWF founder denied it, saying enemies of the institution were peddling the falsehood.
He added that there was no way activities of a school with over 1,500 student population would be done in secret.
Ukoha also appealed to Governor Otti to construct roads leading to the school and to provide modern farm implements.