Ijebu Development Initiative on Poverty Reduction - IDIPR

KENYAN CATFISH FARMERS ON TOUR TO IDIPR’s ERIWE FARM VILLAGE

A group of fish farmers from Kenya facilitated by Asia Institute of Technology (AIT), visited Ijebu Development Initiative on Poverty Reduction (IDIPR) Secretariat, Afin Awujale, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on Tuesday morning of November 11, 2025. Welcomed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Organisation, Dr. Marcus Adeniyi, the group led by Vincent Gitau was on tour to Nigeria to have a wide exposure in the management of catfish with a particular interest in visiting IDIPR’s Eriwe Farm Village in Ijebu Ode.

While introducing the guests, Mr. Seriki Aramide from AIT, Nigeria, who took the people around during the tour, disclosed that the mission of the Kenyan guests was to have exposure in the area of catfish farming, sales and management. He also remarked that the Kenyan farmers had their background in Tilapia, but needed to learn how to handle catfish farming.

By a way of introduction, the following made the names of the 7-Kenyan team: Vincent Gitau, James Kubasu, Cyrus Kirima, Titus Nwirigi, Eric Mogodo, James Nwangi and Lucy Kunani.

During the interaction section, Dr Marcus addressed the visitors on the need to indigenize fish farming. He disabused their minds against waiting for the government to bankroll them. To buttress his point, he remarked how communal effort has been the backbone of Eriwe cluster farming system right from the outset. Hence, he applauded indigenous mindset and local apparatus in bringing their dreams to fruition. To domesticate fish farming, he said it should go beyond having fishponds but that the aspect of value addition was sacrosanct in the business. In his parting shot, the CEO assured the Kenyan nationals that the IDIPR was ready to enhance their exposure in any area of catfish farming.

Mr Akinyelu Blessing, Head of Department, Agric. Services, IDIPR, who led the team to IDIPR’s Eriwe Farm Village took them around for a wide exposure in the area of catfish nursing, feeding, and hygiene. Several questions were asked by the team and explanations of valued advantages were given during the course of touring. The team also had the opportunity of interacting with the farmers in Eriwe cluster farm settlement, the biggest of its type in the Sub-Saharan Africa.

🏆 ANOTHER MILESTONE 🏆

How heart-cheering it is to become the epicentre of innovation, a hub of purpose and excellence amidst countless competitors! Olympic, they say, is not about winning, but about participation. However, the opposite is ours in IDIPR. We did not only participate, but we also won. The news is everywhere across the globe that IDIPR has emerged the winner of Food and Agriculture Organisation of United Nations’ Award for Sustainable Aquatic Food Systems. The FAO-UN Technical Recognition Ceremony held in Rome, Italy, on the 15th October, 2022 during its 80th year anniversary ceremony, featured 6 technical areas out of which Aquatic Food System was one. Out of the twenty three institutions in eighteen countries selected for the global recognition in this area, the Ijebu Development Initiative on Poverty Reduction won a place.

At any rate, this is not the first time Ijebu Development Initiative on Poverty Reduction would be recognized for an international award by the United Nations for outstanding performance. In 2002, the IDIPR won the Dubai International Award of Best Practice to improve the living environment under the auspices of the UN-HABITAT. The recognition that celebrated the organisation’s excellence on the proper use of environment underscored the importance of environment to human life and longevity.

Perhaps you are just coming across the organisation named IDIPR for short. Of course, that is possible! The body IDIPR, is a completely poverty zero-tolerant organization that seeks to kick out poverty from every home, community and towns of the Ijebu people and Ogun State as well as Nigeria in general. This is not through anything or by any means than by empowering the masses in various forms of agricultural businesses, enterprise development, tricycle scheme and loans for market women through its microfinance. IDIPR taps into the array of land in Ijebuland to operates a cluster farming system resulting in the establishment of farm villages. Currently, nine farm villages are thriving under IDIPR with Eriwe as the largest fish-farmer co-operators’ farm village in the whole of Sub-Saharan Africa with 156 hectares acquired from Ogun State Government.

Where determination is predominant, failure cannot dismantle the flag of success. This is the maxim that resonates with IDIPR. The body and its founding fathers believe every man can live above the poverty line and no Ijebu man should be held down by any form of squalor, hence, in 1999 some prominent Ijebu people mooted the idea that gave birth to IDIPR. Today, market women are being empowered with loans to venture into their desired businesses. Able bodied men in Ijebu can own brand new tricycle without collateral and pay back by instalment. People are allocated plots of land to practice different forms of agriculture, be it farming, rubber plantation, poultry, piggery, fishery etc while youths are trained on capacity building and exposed to digital skills by the IDIPR.

From the dawn of its history, the ancient Ijebu was noted for mercantile activities. Today the land still stands as a fertile soil of enterprise, where the spirit of trade runs in the blood of its people, and the rhythm of industry beats in every marketplace and street. Ijebu has been a living testament to the genius of commerce, a land where resourcefulness meets opportunity, and diligence blossoms into prosperity. A big thank to the founding fathers of IDIPR and its astute Board of Trustees, Governing Council and Management team.

Our recognition in the area of agriculture and aquaculture speaks volume in Nigeria and beyond. You can be part of this cutting-edge move of the age. You can visit IDIPR Secretariat at Aafin Awujale, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria for empowerment. You can as well get connected by visiting our website: www.idipr.org.ng or call +234-80-3473-0236.

WorldFish Applauds IDIPR’s Impacts at India–Nigeria Roundtable on Aquaculture and Fisheries.

Friday, October 10, 2025, was a remarkable day for the Ijebu Development Initiative on Poverty Reduction (IDIPR) as its achievements drew another international commendation at the India–Nigeria Roundtable on Aquaculture and Fisheries held at IIT, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The delegates of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Agricultural and Farmers’ Welfare led by Deputy Director General (Fisheries Sciences), Dr. Joykrushna, Country representative, WorldFish, India, Dr. Arun Padiyar Panemangalore and the representative of Indian Foreign Affairs commended the Ijebu Development Initiative on Poverty Reduction (IDIPR) for its contributions towards sustainable aqua food system.

The event, hosted by WorldFish Nigeria, brought together stakeholders from development agencies, government ministries, associations, cooperatives, private-sector organizations, and universities to share insights and foster collaboration.

Dr. Charles Iyangbe, WorldFish Nigeria Country Representative, who gave the welcome address, enlightened participants on the current state of fish production in the country, drawing attention to key areas requiring policy reform and private-sector investment. The forum featured extensive discussions on the opportunities and challenges confronting Nigeria’s fish farming industry. Among the dignitaries present was Engr. Biodun Sanni, the National Project Coordinator, Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises, Niger Delta, who delivered the opening remark, while Dr. Joykrushna Jena presented the keynote address.

While delivering the event’s special address, Usman Abubakar, who represented the Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Mr. Gadian Hussein, emphasized the need for sustainable practices as a pathway to achieving national food security.

A lead paper titled “Reducing Post-Harvest Losses in Nigeria’s Aquaculture and Fisheries Sector: Public-Private Partnerships for Improved Value Chain Efficiency” was delivered by Prof. Lateef Sanni, who underscored collaboration and innovation as key drivers of growth in the sector. Prof. Bernadette Tosan Fregene moderated the first panel discussion, while Dr. Okomada of WorldFish Nigeria chaired the second session.

During the forum, Dr. Marcus Adeniyi, Chief Executive of IDIPR and development expert, featured as one of the session speakers. The CEO was decorated with an emblem of recognition for IDIPR’s outstanding contributions to aquaculture development and poverty reduction by Dr. Joykrushna Jena. The recognition, which was particularly noteworthy, came just five days to the celebration of the IDIPR’s FAO-UN Award of Technical Recognition in sustainable aquatic food system in Rome, Italy.

A solar empowered fish pond at Eriwe Farm Village

AquafricaIDIPR

Eriwe Farm Village Welcomes Brazilian Researcher.

It was a meeting point between theory and practice, Friday noon, September 27, 2025, when Juliana Rosa Carujo, an Associate Professor of Universidade Federal da Grand Dourados (UFGD) and Coordinator of CDR Project and Rural Education from Brazil - accompanied by President-elect, World Aquaculture Society, Dr. Foluke Ar**la - touched down at Eriwe Farm Village, the pride of Ogun State, Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa in Aquaculture industry. Coming all the way from Brazil to understudy how rural communities in Nigeria are thriving, Juliana Carujo was interested particularly in factors that sustain youths in rural areas while they keep focused on their educational career. The objective is to replicate this in rural Brazil where a large percentage of their youth domicile in the countryside. Besides, the visit sought to find a meeting point between Nigerian aquaculture practice and what upholds in Brazil where tilapia is the popular fish reared in their farms.

Earlier that Friday morning, the duo, Associate Prof. Juliana and Aquaculture President, Dr. Ar**la, were given a warm welcome by the Chairlady and the Chief Executive Officer, Ijebu Development Initiative on Poverty Reduction, Professor Abeke Adesanya and Dr. Adegbenro Adeniyi respectively, in the IDIPR’s office at Awujale Palace in Ijebu Ode.

Eriwe Farm Village executive officers who were ready to take the Brazilian visitor across the various farming units in the Eriwe massive hectares received the former and Dr. Ar**la with other IDIPR staff to the farm village. Right at the Eriwe farm house, Mr. Akinyelu Blessing who heads the Aquaculture Department of IDIPR formally introduced the farm executives to the team. Present at the brief meeting in the farm training hall were the President of Aquaculture Farmers’ Cooperative Union in person of Mr. Ibukun Olanrewaju, the Vice President, Mrs. Akinyemi Oluwabunmi. Others were the treasurer, Mr Rotimi Oluwakayode; the Secretary, Mr. Dairo Dele; the Assistant General Secretary, Mr. Onakoya Debo; the Public Relation Officer, Mr. Talabi Sunday and the President of Livestock Farmers Cooperative Society, in person of Mr. Pedro Olamide.