Poor State of Nigerian Economy Worries FUNAI Agric Faculty

• Chats New Way Forward out of the Menace

The poor state of the Nigerian economy with its negative consequences on the teeming population has engaged the attention of academics of the Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI), Ebonyi State.

The University which is geared towards turning out nationally relevant and globally competitive graduates in all fields of study recently organized a knowledge transfer programme under the auspices of the Faculty of Agriculture with the sole aim of imparting new Agricultural skills to staff and students of the University as well as other members of the society in other to underscore the numerous benefits of Agriculture in economic development and poverty eradication.

A cross section of the students during the seminar

Declaring the seminar open at the Faculty’s multipurpose hall, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba said the institution decided to adopt a University wide seminar series in other to equip the students with functional knowledge, expose them to the demands of the 21^st century economy and set agenda for the various levels of government in diverse policy issues.

Rep of the VC, Prof. Philip Omoke speaking during the event

The Vice Chancellor who was represented by the Dean, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, Prof. Philip Omoke further added that the reason for establishing a University was to proffer lasting solutions to the numerous challenges confronting society, hence his resolve to ensure that academics in the University embark on life changing researches, to bring about actionable recommendations for further necessary attention by policy makers.

Dwelling extensively on the topic “Tracking Poverty with Community Based Monitoring System” the lead presenter, Prof. A.I Achilike said “poverty is a global challenge and 35 percent of Nigerians live in extreme poverty”, adding that “54 percent are poor in relative terms while 52 percent live on less than one dollar a day.”

Lead presenter, Prof. A.I Achilike underlying the importance of Agriculture in eradicating poverty

The only way out of the quagmire, she further noted was for every Nigerian to return to Agriculture as a means of wealth creation.

Meanwhile the Faculty of Engineering and Technology has also concluded its seminar with the topic “FUNAI’s Sustainable Development Plan” with the call for engineers to ensure quality control while executing projects in the University and elsewhere.

Dr. Nnaemeka Anyakaorah in his presentation decried the societal menace of quack engineers, stressing the importance of quality assurance by engineers and contractors in other to mitigate the incidence of collapsed building.

The seminar was held at the Central Engineering Workshop of the University.