An NGO, the Royal Ambassadors Family Enlightenment Foundation (RAFEF), says it has acquired 150,000 hectares of farmland for agricultural revolution, to encourage youths, women and civil servants nationwide to farm.
The National President of RAFEF, Chief Jonathan Okwudiri, disclosed this on Thursday in Enugu at a news conference on RAFEF National Agricultural Revolution.
Okwudiri said that the organisation had registered the Royal Ambassadors Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society Ltd. in major states across Nigeria’s six regions for its membership base of one million in the 774 local government areas in 36 states and FCT.
He disclosed that RAFEF acquired the over 150,000 hectares of farmland across various geo-political zones; within five states in Nigeria, which included: Enugu, Anambra, Delta, Imo and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to him, RAFEF has also launched Operation Feed the Nation, aimed at reducing hunger, hardship, and poverty in Nigeria through sustainable agricultural farming and food security.
He said, “This year, 2025, and beyond, sustainable agricultural farming and food security remains our organisation’s top priority.
“To achieve this, we are seeking funding from agencies and financial institutions, both nationally and internationally, to partner with us in cultivating the 150,000 hectares of land in mechanised agricultural farming.
“This initiative will not only reduce unemployment in Nigeria but also provide employment opportunities for over 500 people in the Farm Settlements.
“Furthermore, it will drastically reduce hardship and hunger in the land to the barest minimum.
“As we look to the future, we are seeking partnerships and sponsorships to support our initiatives.
“We are calling on the Presidency, National Assembly, federal and state ministries, corporate organisations, philanthropists, donors, and international funding agencies to partner with us.”
Okwudiri, who is also the Founder of Green Revolution Farmers Feed the Nation Foundation (GRFFNF), appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his visionary Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said that the agenda aligned with his organisation’s mission to empower women, youth and promote sustainable agriculture.
“We commend His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s efforts to reposition Nigeria as a prime global investment destination and pledge our unwavering support for policies geared towards making Nigeria heaven on earth,” he said.
He said that RAFEF’s membership strength had grown to over one million people, comprising women and youths from the 774 local government areas across the 36 states of Nigeria, including the FCT.
Okwudiri, who doubles as the Director-General of Young Women Rise Empowerment Initiative (YWREF) said, “We are also seeking support to empower 1,000 women and youths with tools, materials, and equipment to commence operations in their businesses.
“Furthermore, we are seeking partnerships to purchase equipment and materials, including laptops, generators, photocopying machines, scanners, desktops and computers, as well as agricultural farming seedlings, tools and equipment.
“We believe that our initiatives align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), Goal 5 (Gender Equality), and Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).”
The RAFEF national president also said that the NGO was seeking financial assistance to host the five-day Royal Ambassadors Gathering Week Abuja 2025.
He said that the event had the theme, “Building Global Partnership for Sustainable Impact, Innovations and Development.”
Okwudiri noted that the “Prestigious International Conference” would be held at Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, Abuja.
He recalled that over the past year, the organisation had successfully trained over 1,000 women and youths (Persons with Disability Inclusive) in various skills and acquisition programmes.
He said that it had provided scholarships to nine students, and school gift items to over 200 students in a government secondary school in Aba, Abia State.
RAFEF, he disclosed, had developed the capacity of 15 youths, registered business names for seven women and youths, and established them as independent entrepreneurs.