AFAN Enugu gets new leadership

 

April 24, 2026 | Enugu

Mr Emmanuel Eneh has been elected Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Enugu State following a consensus vote by delegates from the 17 local government areas of the state.

Eneh will lead the association for a three-year term, alongside a newly constituted executive council ratified on Thursday in Enugu.

Other elected officials include Chief Emma Okenwa as Deputy Chairman; Mr Louis Okolo, Vice Chairman (Enugu East); Mr Anthony Obasi, Vice Chairman (Enugu West); Mr Boniface Eze, Vice Chairman (Enugu North); and Mr Lazarus Orekeyi as Secretary, among others.

Speaking at the election, the Deputy National President of AFAN and leader of the Enugu election monitoring team, Chief Daniel Okafor, commended the state government for its sustained support to farmers.

He described AFAN as a strategic stakeholder in national development and food security, urging contestants to accept the outcome in good faith and work in unity to benefit from national programmes.

Okafor also charged the new leadership to demonstrate inclusive and accountable leadership anchored on peace, unity and teamwork, noting that the association remained committed to effective representation.

The outgoing state chairman, Mr Romanus Eze, described the election as a milestone, coming after more than seven years without state-level polls.

He attributed the delay to internal challenges at the national level, which he said had now been resolved.

“Our association is now one united body across Nigeria. We no longer have divisions; AFAN is one,” he said, adding that elections were being conducted in several states to consolidate unity.

Eze also said the association had been actively involved in government agricultural programmes and enjoyed a collaborative relationship with the state.

He acknowledged a period of reduced activity but said a renewed phase of engagement had begun, warning against attempts to cause division within the association.

In his remarks, the Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Dr Patrick Ubru, urged the new executives to compile a comprehensive database of farmers across commodity groups.

Represented by a deputy director, Mr Theophilus Ivo, he said proper registration would improve access to government support and strengthen agricultural planning.

The Enugu State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Ngozi Nwakaeze, also advised farmers to open accounts with the Bank of Agriculture to access federal intervention schemes.

She stressed that eligibility would depend on proper registration and financial inclusion.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Eneh thanked delegates for their confidence and pledged to reposition the association for improved productivity.

He promised training and retraining programmes to enhance access to modern inputs and boost agricultural output in the state.

“The AFAN you are seeing today is not that of yesterday. The change has come, and together in unity, we will move the association forward,” he said.

Eneh also pledged continued support for the administration of Governor Peter Mbah, saying collaboration with government would strengthen agricultural development in Enugu State.

The event ended with the presentation of certificates to newly elected officials.