The Executive Director and founder of Mzehemen U Tiv Foundation (MUTF) and Menroi Rural Priority Foundation, Prof. Kohol Iornem, has distributed dozens of oil palm seedlings to St. Andrew’s Secondary School, Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area (LGA), Benue North East.
Mr Lutor Isaac Ayaaga, with a team from MUTF, performed the task on behalf of Prof Iornem.
The oil palm seedlings are part of efforts by Pror. Iornem to economically empower communities in line with Governor Hyacinth Alia’s Benuw Alia Palm Project (BAPP) for economic sustainability.
Prof. Kohol Iornem highlighted the long-term benefits of the high-yielding palm seedlings and encouraged the school management to nurture them for future benefits.
He acknowledged St Andrew’s as a great institution that has produced great minds, public servants, and leaders in diverse endeavours, promising to extend the gesture to other schools across the Kwande and Ushongo LGAs.
The Principal of the school, Rev. Fr. John Asen, led other management staff, including Vice Principal Administration, Mrs Shidoo Tsav, Vice Principal Academics, Mr Achin John, Director General of Affairs, Mr Fidelis Yonkyor, and the entire student body to receive the seedlings at the St. Andrew’s Assembly ground.
He hailed the initiative by Prof. Iornem, describing it as selfless and uncommon, and urged Prof. Iornem to continue his impactful humanitarian acts, which are already notable.
The principal also said he would extend the gesture to the school’s neighbouring communities, who would also benefit from the kindness of Prof. Iornem.
Reacting to the development, HRH Chief Shagher Chula, the Mue Ter Ipusu, Kwande LGA Traditional Council, expressed profound gratitude to Prof. Iornem for donating the high-yielding oil palm seedlings to him and St. Andrew’s. The gesture, part of Governor Hyacinth Iornem Alia’s BAPP Project, aims to drive economic sustainability and empowerment in Benue State.
HRH Chief Chula confessed that while he had heard extensively about the BAPP Project and its potential to transform the economy and the lives of Benue communities, the gesture by Prof. Iornem marked the first tangible encounter with the initiative.
“I have heard so much about the BAPP Project, but today, I have seen it,” he remarked, visibly moved by the gesture.
The traditional ruler praised Prof. Iornem’s selfless act, describing it as a beacon of hope for Mue Ter Ipusu and the surrounding communities. He assured that the oil palm seedlings would be nurtured and protected to serve the present and future generations.
HRH Chief Chula also lauded Prof. Iornem’s commitment to community development, urging him to continue his impactful work across Kwande and Ushongo LGAs.
