Enugu state Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) with Songhai Regional Center and Tribu Limited to revitalize and operationalize the moribund Enugu Songhai Initiative Heneke integrated farm into a thriving Agro- industrialised hub and advance regenerative development, food security, and inclusive growth for Ndi Enugu.
Speaking at the event held Tuesday ,16 September, 2025 in Government House,Enugu, the state Governor,Dr Peter Mbah the Enugu state Songhai Initiative Heneke integrated farm was established in 2013 but remained incomplete and abandoned.
Represented by the secretary to the state Government ( SSG) Prof Chidiebere Onyia, Governor Mbah said as part of his administration ‘s commitment to rehabilitate moribund assets, he approved the joint venture with Tribu Limited and Songhai Regional Center to reactivate, rehabilitate and operationalize the farm to optimal performance.
Pix: The partners
He noted that the memorandum of understanding was carefully drafted in collaboration with all parties especially the office of Attorney General and the Commissioner for Justice to ensure fully legal compliance. It establishes the framework for rehabilitation and operation under Enugu Tribu Songhai Farms LTD, the SPV that will own and manage project assets.
Highlighting the provisions of the MoU, Governor Mbah said, “Enugu State Government will provide the enabling environment, clear land-use framework, and strategic oversight to deliver sustainable, scalable impact in line with state policy objectives.
“Tribu Limited will serve as financier and investor, mobilizing the capital and resources necessary to realize the project.
“Songhai Regional Centre will contribute technical excellence, capacity-building, and advisory services to implement best practices across farming, processing, and value chains”.
Pix: Prof Onyia signing the MoU
Continuing, Governor Mbah said, “the SPV will revitalize the Heneke Initiative into a large-scale integrated agro-industry hub guided by regenerative development principles.
“Create a 25-hectare training and incubation center to empower youth and women with leadership, technical, and entrepreneurial skills.
“Implement a robust public-private collaboration framework among ENSG, Tribu, and Songhai.
“Rehabilitate and optimize approximately 10,000 hectares of land with a clear land-use framework and Certificate of Occupancy to protect state interests.
“Generate jobs, strengthen food security, and empower rural communities through value-chain development and agro-enterprise.
“Facilitate technology transfer and adoption of modern farming, processing, and sustainability practices.
“Build governance and risk management structures to ensure transparency and compliance with applicable laws.” he said.
On the significance of the signing, Governor Mbah said,”this signing symbolizes a formal, on-the-record commitment to rehabilitate moribund assets and to advance regenerative development for Enugu State.
He thanked Tribu Limited, Songhai Regional Centre, and all partners for their ongoing collaboration and dedication with Enugu State.
Expressing committed to transparent governance, adherence to applicable laws, and active community engagement throughout implementation., Governor Mbah made an appeal, saying, “Let us move forward with unity of purpose, delivering tangible socio-economic benefits for Ndi Enugu”.
In his brief speech, the Director of Songhai,Fr. Prof Godfrey Nzamujo,O.P. expressed commitment to the partnership. He said the farm will be an integrated one,with different crops planted. There will be aquatic , livestock, renewable energy, infrastructure and skill personnel to drive it. He said,” this type of agriculture is strategic”.
“Songhai is committed. We will be producing more and better with less. Three of us are willing partners. All of us must be committed”, he said.
In his remarks, the chairman of Tribu Limited, Ozo Nnamdi, who is the financier, said they will rehabilitate and make the farm functional . He added that it will be community, private and government driven.”We are going to have ecotourism, Agro- tourism. We are striving to build one of the best resorts in Songhai, ” Ozo said.
He stressed the need for people to take up agriculture, saying, that ” it is a shame to be importing what we eat”.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro- industrialization, Hon. Patrick Ubru assured sustainability.” We have a government that is focused”. He said they had 10,000 hectre of land, water, good soil and many farming, processing and exporting activities will go on there.
“We have good people. We are going to change the mindsets of our people, so that it will be sustained. This is going to be an integrated farming , aquatic farm, animal husbandry, processing, exporting, ecotourism. It is moving from government owned to privately owned. It will be community, private and government driven,” Ubru said.
With the signing of the MoU, ” the partnership will breathe new life into the Enugu Songhai Initiative Heneke Integrated Farm”, as expressed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia.
Author: Maureen Ikpea