FUNAI PARTNERS FFAI ON FOOD SECURITY
As a means of supporting the call for economic diversification through Agriculture in order to ensure food security, generate employment and increase foreign exchange earnings for the nation, the Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI), Ebonyi State has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with an Abuja based non-governmental organization, Food for All Initiative (FFAI) for the establishment of a University Farm on Wednesday, 29th March, 2017.
VC, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba signing the MoU for the University
Speaking during the event organized under the auspices of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba stressed the importance of Agriculture in economic development, noting that agricultural activities could be the panacea to the burden of hunger and poverty in the nation if relevant stakeholders take advantage of the vast arable land the country is endowed with.
Professor Nwajiuba further explained that the Faculty of Agriculture was established in the University with over 7 academic programs to serve as agricultural research hub where research findings and new developments in the sector would be made available to farmers at no cost within the immediate University environment and beyond for improved farming and bounty yields.
He maintained that Universities were established to provide solutions to problems in the society, adding that FUNAI will surely live up to expectations in that regard, hence the wide range partnerships the University has been entering with different reputable local and international organizations
Giving insight into the partnership, FFAI’s spokesperson, Nnenna Okoro said the organization was targeting the entire six geopolitical zones of the country, noting that FUNAI was chosen in the Southeast due to the availability of arable land and eco-friendly activities in the area. She further stressed that the organization would also be providing technical services to the University farm.
Expressing their readiness for the take-off of the farm, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Johnny Ogunji said the faculty was fully equipped with relevant resources for accelerated food production. He noted that the beauty of the partnership was that it would also provide jobs and serve as laboratory for practical oriented courses to the students of the Faculty, adding that students who work in the farm will be adequately remunerated.
Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Jonny Ogunji stressing the importance of the partnership to the University
The MoU is yet another milestone in the administration of Prof. Nwajiuba in his drive to make FUNAI an institution that grooms and turns out responsible citizens and solution providers as graduates.
L-R: University Librarian, Dr. O. O Adediji, SA to VC on Linkages and Advancement, Mr. Chris Uwadoka, Representative of FFAI, Mrs. Nnenna Okoro and colleague, VC, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, Registrar, Mrs. Odisa Okeke, DVC, Prof. Sunday Elom and Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Jonny Ogunji after the signing ceremony at the VC’s Conference Room