Business
Hearty Cheers to Governor Hope Uzodimma for Delivering a Successful First Imo State Economic & Investment Summit
Cyril Ogar
Former member of the House of Representatives and current Governing Council member of the African Aviation and Aerospace University, Abuja, Hon. Chidi Nwogu, has congratulated the Executive Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma (Onwa) GCON, and the entire people of Imo State on the successful hosting of the maiden Imo State Economic and Investment Summit — one of the most significant and high-profile events in the history of the state.
In a statement personally signed by him, Hon. Nwogu described the summit, themed “Unlocking Imo Economic Potentials: Partnership for Investment,” as a landmark achievement made possible through exceptional planning, coordination, and execution. He noted that the world-class event attracted an enviable lineup of distinguished participants from across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.
The summit featured the Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima, who represented the President, alongside an impressive delegation of governors, senators, ministers, and notable traditional and spiritual leaders from across the country.
Also in attendance were several internationally acclaimed personalities, including the President of Liberia and keynote speaker, His Excellency Joseph Boakai; former President of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah; former British Prime Minister, Mr. Boris Johnson; former United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon; and former President of Mauritius, Her Excellency Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim.
The summit further attracted top-tier investors and captains of industry, led by Africa’s richest man and Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, as well as numerous CEOs from the banking and financial sector who expressed strong interest in supporting Imo State’s emerging investment opportunities.
Hon. Nwogu expressed confidence that the “positive domino effect” of the summit would soon become evident across Imo State as its far-reaching developmental outcomes begin to unfold.
He prayed for God’s continued guidance for Governor Uzodimma, asking that the Almighty grant him the wisdom and strength needed to translate the vision and outcomes of the summit into tangible growth and prosperity for the state.
He concluded with prayers for the peace and progress of both Imo State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Agriculture
PULA, Leadway Assurance Disburse ₦396 Million to Climate-Affected Farmers, Strengthen Food Security Efforts
In a major intervention to shield smallholder farmers from climate shocks, agri-insurtech firm PULA has spearheaded the disbursement of ₦396,697,672 in insurance claims to over 40,000 farmers impacted during the 2025 wet season.
The payout, executed in partnership with Leadway Assurance and supported by the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU), covered farmers across Taraba, Borno, Kaduna, and Plateau States who suffered climate-related losses.
The initiative was made possible in part by Bayer Foundation, whose $450,000 premium subsidy support in 2025 wet season helped lower the cost of insurance for thousands of vulnerable smallholders in 8 states, with 4 states receiving payouts. The Foundation is set to scale up its contribution to match the growing aspirations of state governments.
Speaking at the cheque presentation ceremony in Abuja during the 2025 Wet Season Insurance Claims Payout under the National Agribusiness Planning Mechanism (NAPM), PULA’s Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Michael Enahoro, said the initiative goes beyond compensation, insisting that it’s about securing Nigeria’s food systems.
“Our focus is not just on payouts but on increasing food production. We must continue to support farmers who work tirelessly under harsh conditions to feed the nation,” Dr. Enahoro said. He called for stronger policies that directly impact farmers and reaffirmed PULA’s commitment to expanding agricultural insurance as a tool for resilience.
PULA’s data-driven approach to climate risk was key to identifying affected farmers and triggering payments. The company worked with Leadway Assurance to underwrite the risk, while PFSCU aligned the program with the national food security agenda. State governments also supported grassroots enrollment.
Gboyega Lesi, MD/CEO of Leadway Assurance, described the payout as “a reinforcement of a safety net that protects the hard work of thousands of farmers,” adding that “through climate insurance, we ensure that a bad season does not translate into total loss of livelihood.” He commended PULA’s technology and field structure for making rapid, transparent payouts possible.
Ayoola Fatona, Global Head of Agric Solutions at Leadway Assurance, noted that the 2025 wet season brought significant climate variability and yield fluctuations. “The true value of insurance lies in claims payment, especially in challenging periods. Our data-driven partnership with PULA helped mitigate losses,” he said.
Looking ahead, PULA and Leadway Assurance plan to scale coverage to 73,000 farmers in the 2026 farming season, deepening penetration of climate insurance across Nigeria’s food-producing belts.
Commissioners from the beneficiary states commended PULA and Leadway Assurance for de-risking agriculture, restoring farmers’ confidence, and building a more resilient agricultural sector
State-by-state breakdown of claims facilitated by PULA:
- Taraba State: ₦154,308,035
- Borno State: ₦127,192,472
- Kaduna State: ₦69,726,150
- Plateau State: ₦45,471,015
Total: ₦396.7 million.
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