Dr Nnamdi Ibekwe, the president of Oziomachi Foundation has enjoined all stakeholders in Item and Abia State to look towards not just celebrating annual New Yam Festivals, but to “harness the economy of the yam itself.” According to him, yam and agriculture as whole has the potentials of providing food, creating jobs and providing foreign exchange He made this known to the people of Okoko, Amokwe and Apuanu communities of Item town at the annual ‘Iri ndi ohuru’ (New Yam Festival) across all the communities of Item.
According to Dr Nnamdi Ibekwe, tapping into the yam economy will involve yam production, processing, packaging and profiting. Each of these stages has the capacity to provide jobs for the unemployed youths and as well generate the much needed foreign exchange in Nigeria economy.
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