The Boki Local Government Council has formally approved the establishment of the Boki Climate & Agroforestry Initiative, a strategic development programme aimed at promoting sustainable cocoa production, agroforestry practices, environmental sustainability, and climate-smart agricultural development within Boki Local Government Area.

 

The initiative was approved by the Executive Chairman of Boki Local Government Area, Eti-Eka, Hon. (Mrs.) Beatrice Etta Nyiam, as part of the Council’s broader commitment to strengthening agricultural development, supporting cocoa farming communities, and promoting responsible environmental management across Boki communities.

 

As part of the implementation framework for the initiative, a multi-sectoral Steering Committee has also been constituted to provide policy oversight, strategic direction, and institutional coordination for the programme.

 

The Steering Committee is chaired by the Executive Chairman, while Hon. Augustine Ubua Obi, Special Adviser on Diaspora Engagement, Trade & Economic Development, serves as Vice Chairman. The Committee also includes representatives from relevant departments of the Local Government Council, cocoa farming stakeholders, traditional leadership, and technical partners.

 

The initiative is expected to work collaboratively with stakeholders and development partners to support sustainable cocoa production, agroforestry development, farmer engagement, environmental sustainability, and future climate-related opportunities for Boki communities.

 

Speaking on the initiative, the Executive Chairman reaffirmed the commitment of the Boki Local Government Council to initiatives that promote sustainable livelihoods, agricultural development, and responsible environmental stewardship.

 

Implementation activities and stakeholder engagements under the initiative are expected to commence immediately.

 

 

Date: November 2025
Location: Boki LGA, Cross River State

The Administration of Boki Local Government Area is pleased to announce the commencement of a major farmer empowerment and digital traceability programme scheduled to take place from December 4th to 14th, 2025. This initiative is being implemented in partnership with Palmyra, a global blockchain traceability platform, and Mangrove Agro-Allied Services, an agro-innovation and community development organisation.

This programme is part of the vision initiated earlier this year by the Executive Chairman of Boki LGA, following the first engagement with Palmyra and Mangrove in May 2025. The Chairman recognised the need for Boki farmers and licensed buying agents (LBAs) to prepare for the new EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which requires traceability of agricultural commodities entering the European market.

 

Programme Objectives

The December programme aims to:

1. Digitally onboard licensed buying agents and farmers
   Participants will be registered into the Palmyra digital ecosystem, where their production activities can be traced accurately and transparently.
   
   
2. Achieve full EUDR compliance for the Boki cocoa value chain
   The programme will include farm mapping, sustainability data capture, and verification processes to ensure Boki producers meet global export requirements.
   
   
3. Position Boki producers for direct export opportunities
   By achieving compliance, farmers and LBAs will gain access to international buyers through the Palmyra Marketplace (www.palmyra.app). This will give Boki producers direct visibility to export markets and enable them to negotiate better prices.
   
   
4. Facilitate the first EUDR-compliant cocoa shipments by January 2026
   Palmyra has existing buyers ready to purchase EUDR-compliant cocoa, allowing Boki to become one of the first LGAs in Nigeria to meet this standard.

 

How the Palmyra System Supports Boki Farmers

Palmyra’s platform provides:

● Producer Onboarding: Registration, verification, and farm mapping for EUDR compliance.

● Marketplace Access: A digital trading platform where buyers and sellers can connect directly.

● Secure Transactions: Payment processing and logistics support from warehouse to export ports.

● Traceability Assurance: Transparent tracking of cocoa from farm to shipment, ensuring regulatory compliance.

This end-to-end system ensures farmers and LBAs receive maximum value from their produce without relying on intermediaries.

 

Empowerment Materials for Participating Farmers

As part of the programme, onboarded farmers will receive:

● Fertilisers for nursery, mid-cycle, and pre-harvest stages

● Pesticides

● Disease-control inputs

These support materials are provided to enhance productivity, crop quality, and farm resilience.

 

A Message from the Chairman of Boki LGA

“This programme reflects our commitment to securing a better future for farmers across Boki. By embracing technology and global standards, we are ensuring that Boki remains a leading agricultural hub and that our farmers are not left behind in the evolving global market.”

 

Call to Participation

The Boki LGA Administration invites:

● Licensed Buying Agents

● Cocoa farmers

● Community leaders

● Youth interested in serving as mapping or onboarding agents
to participate fully in the December programme for the benefit of the entire LGA.

Further details will be communicated through the LGA’s official channels and community coordinators.

 

In a heartfelt visit to the Boki General Hospital in Onitsha Farm, which has unfortunately languished in neglect, Hon. Augustine Obi, the Special Adviser on Diaspora Engagement, Trade, and Economic Development to the Executive Chairman of Boki Local Government Area, sought to shine a light on the pressing state of healthcare in the community. Accompanied by Mr. Destiny Takon, the Chief Protocol Officer, Hon. Obi’s mission was fueled by the genuine concern of the Executive Chairman, Hon. Eti-Eka (Mrs.) Beatrice Etta Nyiam, for the health and well-being of the Boki people.

With palpable sadness, Hon. Obi remarked, “It is truly disheartening to witness a completed general hospital that has never served its intended purpose while our people struggle to access even the most basic healthcare services.” He poignantly stated, “Instead of engaging in blame games about past administrations and who is responsible, we must recognize that we have waited over 30 years. Our focus should be on the love and care for our community. It is time for us to step forward and make this hospital operational for the sake of every Boki resident.”

Hon. Obi emphasized the importance of a community-driven approach, calling upon all Boki sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora to come together and support this urgent cause through financial and material contributions. His compassionate plea underscored a shared responsibility to transform the hospital into a functioning tertiary healthcare facility as quickly as possible.

To realize this noble initiative, he announced plans to establish a Boki Healthcare Trust Fund—an honest and accountable platform dedicated to gathering resources for the hospital’s renovations and improving healthcare in the local government area.

During this visit, Hon. Obi also took time to engage with military officers stationed in Onitsha Farm and participated in meaningful discussions with youth leaders from the community. Concerned about the recent tensions between Boje and Iso Bendeghe, he appealed for tranquillity, understanding, and a renewed commitment to peaceful coexistence.

He compassionately reminded everyone that actual progress in Boki can only flourish in an environment of peace and unity. Pledging the local government’s unwavering support for reconciliation and conflict resolution, Hon. Obi reinforced the importance of fostering harmony in the community.

This visit symbolises a heartfelt commitment to rebuilding vital infrastructure and nurturing the spirit of togetherness that is essential for the growth, stability, and well-being of the Boki Local Government Area.

Courtesy: The Press Unit, Boki LGC.

In a landmark diaspora engagement, the Executive Chairman of Boki Local Government Area, Hon. Eti-Eka (Mrs.) Beatrice Etta Nyiam, met with the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zafar Iqbal, on Saturday, 2nd August 2025, at The New Bingley Hall, Birmingham, on the sidelines of the Cross Riverians in Diaspora (CRID) Convention 2025.

 

The meeting, facilitated by Hon. Augustine Obi, Special Adviser on Diaspora Engagement, Trade, and Economic Development, focused on exploring potential collaboration between Boki Local Government Council and Birmingham City Council, particularly in areas such as cultural exchange, community development, and local economic empowerment.

 

In her remarks, Hon. Eti-Eka highlighted Boki’s rich cultural heritage, agricultural potential, and the importance of harnessing diaspora partnerships to drive rural development.

 

“Our vision is to create meaningful relationships that empower our communities, share knowledge, and inspire innovation at the grassroots level,” she said.

 

Joining the Executive Chairman at the meeting, Hon. Augustine Obi described the engagement as a strategic step toward connecting Boki’s local development priorities with global opportunities and diaspora networks. He noted that collaboration with a forward-thinking city like Birmingham could open doors to knowledge exchange, technical support, and cultural connection.

 

A major highlight of the visit was the exhibition of samples of Boki’s key agricultural and natural resources—including premium cocoa beans, palm fruits, banana bunches, and timber offcuts—presented to the Lord Mayor. The display showcased Boki’s economic strengths and investment potential, sparking interest in future partnerships.

 

In response, Councillor Zafar Iqbal, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, warmly welcomed the Boki delegation and praised the initiative as a progressive approach to diaspora-driven development. He expressed Birmingham’s openness to maintaining contact with Boki and exploring areas of shared interest.

 

To further deepen the budding relationship, Hon. Eti-Eka formally extended an invitation to the Lord Mayor to visit Boki Local Government Council. The Lord Mayor received the invitation warmly and expressed interest in continued engagement.

 

Symbolic gifts were exchanged, and both parties agreed to keep the conversation open, laying the groundwork for possible future collaboration between Birmingham City Council and Boki Local Government Council.

 

This meeting forms part of a broader diaspora outreach strategy led by the Boki LGA administration during the CRID 2025 Convention, focused on promoting global visibility, attracting investment, and advancing diaspora-led development initiatives for the people of Boki.