Harmattan: Take care of coconut seedlings – Agric Ministry urges staff

By Praise Chinecherem

The State Ministry of Agriculture has held its 2023 end of the year prayer session and get together as well as presentation on taking care of coconut seedlings especially during this harmattan season.

The occasion held at the Ministry’s newly refurbished Conference Hall, was laced with prayers of thanksgiving, testimonies, salvation, intercession for the state and the Ministry, including staff members and their families.

Speaking during the occasion, Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor explained that the miracle of Christmas manifested when God presented Himself as a man passing through various circumstances of life.

He charged the congregation to always make Him their source of strength and power to enable them overcome burdens and challenges of life, stating that the biblical David was able to confront and slew Goliath because God was with him.

The Commissioner pointed out that with God, fears would be allayed,urging the congregation to collectively engage Him in prayer to record success stories.

Earlier, a retiree and evangelist, Chidi Abafor testified of the goodness of God unto his life and urged the congregation to renew their relationship with God, have faith in Him, and always be patient to receive His blessings.

He described the event as an avenue for the staff to seek God’s divine intervention and to thank Him for the gift of life.

Also speaking, Rev Chukwudeme Onwuamaeze of the Assemblies of God Church, Awkuzu enjoined the congregation to understand the in-depth meaning of Christmas as a season of celebrating Jesus Christ and not a season for evil indulgences.

In her presentation on taking care of coconut seedlings, National President, National Coconut Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NACOPPMAN), Dr Nma Okoroji listed measures to be taken to ensure productivity of the seedlings.

While demonstrating the planting techniques and best practices to ensure survival of the seedlings, Okoroji identified bush clearing to avoid fire destroying the seedlings, application of compost manure, water, mulching as well as use of pesticides as effective steps.