Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) says it will Intensify food security drive by embarking on a regional sensitisation campaign across the six states in the south south zone, with a view to encouraging pastors and church members to give priority attention to agriculture.
This was disclosed by the south south Zonal Director of Agriculture and Economic Empowerment Directorate, Apst. Dr. Kiyaramo Timiebi, shortly after facilitating the planting of hundreds of coconut and palm trees, along with soursops, at the PFN Secretariat, Apkaru Orokpokpo in Delta State.
Apst. Dr. Kiyaramo, who was received by the Delta State PFN Chairman, Bishop Kingsley Enakirerhire and Delta State Coordinator of PFN Agriculture and Economic Empowerment Directorate, Bishop (Mrs.) Josephine Edeme at PFN headquarters, Apkaru Orokpokpo in Delta State, said the vision of the National President of PFN Bishop (Dr.) Wale Oke, as reiterated by the south south National Vice President, Apst (Dr.) Prince David Zilly Aggrey, is to ensure that PFN pastors and churches are encouraged throughout the six south-south states by organising workshops and agric summits to achieve the dream of aggressive mobilisation for agriculture and food security.
The zonal director futher noted that the basic needs for human survival, being food, shelter and clothing are all dependent on agriculture for their production, adding that raw materials such as crops for food, silk for cloth, and wood for shelter, all come from agriculture.
“Agriculture is the source of our food supply. Arguably, the most important aspect of agriculture is the fact that it is the source of the world’s food supply. No matter where or what you are eating, the ingredients in your meals came from somewhere and all roads lead to agriculture.
“Farming contributes to rural development and has the capacity of supporting the fast spread of the Gospel of Christ which enables the preservation of converts in the churches. Agriculture is a major tool for church growth, development and empowerment.
He recalled that one of the most colorful minor prophets in the Old Testament, Amos, admitted to the palace court in Israel that he was just a shepherd and a farmer of fig trees and that God called him to deliver an important message to a nation that had forgotten its spiritual roots.
That south-south PFN Agriculture and Economic Empowerment Directorate is therefore using this medium to call on all christians to go into agriculture, by beginning from their backyards or use bags to plant vegitables. A household is considered food-secured when its occupants do not live in hunger or fear of starvation and that food security refers to the availability of food and one’s access to it easily.
Dr. Kiyaramo applauded the the Delta State Chairman for his passionate and exemplary drive for achieving food security.
In his response, Delta State PFN Chairman, Bishop Kingsley Enakirerhir, who expressed great joy over the visit of the Zonal Director of PFN Agriculture and Economic Empowerment Directorate, thanked him for the effort, noting that farming plays a significant role in the development of the agricultural sector in any country and that the church has to wake up and give full attention to agriculture to achieve food security.
Bishop Kingsley Enakirerhir, appealed to government and non-governmental bodies to provide better housing, improved transport, storage facilities and modern amenities for farmers in the rural areas, adding that good level of working condition for farmers would serve as an encouragement for households to take agriculture more seriously.
Delta State Coordinator of PFN Agriculture and Economic Empowerment Directorate, Bishop (Mrs.) Josephine Edeme, said efforts were on top gear to sensitise all churches on the need to go into aggressive agriculture. She thanked the south south zonal director for finding time to visit Delta State, just as she prayed God to help all states to run with the good vision of the founding fathers in the faith.
Highpoint of the one day working visit was the planting of hundreds of coconut trees, palm trees and other crops at the headquarters Heroes Of Faith Church, Ughelli and PFN headquarters, Apkaru Orokpokpo, Delta State.
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