26th October, 2016
The Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi, is to inaugurate a faculty of agriculture in November as part of its initiatives to the develop agriculture.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, made the disclosure on Wednesday in Ndufu-Alike during a three-day agricultural conference organised by the institution.
The conference was organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team (NEST).
According to Nwajiuba, the university has recruited the best academic personnel to effectively propagate the objectives for inaugurating the faculty.
“We intend to contribute our own quota by training intellectuals who will translate agricultural theories into practice as the country is embracing the sector to meet its diversification needs.
“We have inaugurated a directorate of research that would be all-encompassing and practically solve various problems hindering national development, especially in agriculture,’’ he said.
Nwajiuba announced that the institution would host an agricultural summit on Nov.29 which would be graced by eminent stakeholders in the sector such as the Minister of Agriculture.
“The summit will proffer solutions not only on academic level but practicable and sustainable ways of making agriculture viable for national development.
“It will also ensure continued investment in agriculture and encourage participation of youths in the sector for economic revival and for security,’’ he said.
He noted that the conference would be a deviation from theoretical postulations but formulate ideas that could be translated into actions.
“I urge all participants, especially those from other states to purchase the Abakaliki rice and propagate the message of rice importation stoppage,’’ he said.
Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi, represented by Prof. John Eke, Commissioner for Education, urged the institution to identify with the state government’s agriculture policies for the realisation of set goals.
“You should train students that will proffer practical solutions to our agriculture problems to make the state and country remain on the path of economic rejuvenation.
“You should carry out more programmes and widen the scope of participation in the conference by involving students, lecturers, deans, and directors among other stakeholders.’’
He noted that the state government’s ‘One man One Hectare’ agriculture policy is a practical demonstration of its commitment to diversify its economy through farming with public office holders actively involved.
Mr Uchenna Orji, Commissioner for agriculture, said the government had distributed over 40 tractors to farmers to propel the commercialisation of agricualture.
“We are also paying attention to other areas of crop production aside rice by distributing some cassava stems for planting,’’ he said.
Dr Gloria Ujor, NEST Executive Director, said the conference would engender environmental enhancement and promote agricultural practices, especially food security.
“This is the best time to achieve desired objectives with the prevailing economic recession and environmental challenges such as climate change,’’ she said.
The theme of the conference is: “Agricultural Resilience and Security in Nigeria’’.