Agriculture has been said to hold the brightest prospect for the country’s recovery from its present economic quagmire. This was said by the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Joseph E. Ahaneku, FAS during the 60th Association of Deans of Agriculture in Nigeria (ADAN) AGM/Conference held at the University Auditorium recently.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman UNIZIK Governing Council, Air Vice Marshal Larry Koinyan while dwelling on the theme “the Change Era and Consolidation of Agricultural Transformation Agenda”, urged the Association to tailor the curriculum in such a way as to prepare the students so that at graduation, they will be self employed in order to impact positively on the growth of the country’s economy. Furthermore, he stated that the University should be making direct impact on its citizens by producing people who will help to solve problems of development in our Nation.
The Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ahaneku while declaring the conference open congratulated the ADAN for its 60th Annual conference. The Association, he said, has been in existence long enough to have witnessed the tragic decline of Agriculture from its valued position in the Nigerian economy. Agriculture was the major foreign exchange earner and provided funds that drove the initial socio-economic development efforts of the country. Prof. Ahaneku said that the theme of the conference “The Change Era and Consolidation of Agricultural Transformation Agenda has keyed into the Federal Government’s advertised intent of using Agriculture as a fulcrum for diversifying the Nigerian economy, and is therefore germane to present realities and the foreseeable future. He charged the ADAN to be the driving seat for Agriculture Education in our Universities. And also to assume and play the lead role in restoring the lost but much needed glory of Agriculture in our National economy.
Expressing her appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor and his Management Team for their support, the Chairman of ADAN, Prof. (Mrs.) F.M. David-Abraham welcomed all to the 60th Annual General Meeting (AGM). She also thanked the Dean Faculty of Agriculture UNIZIK and members of the Local Organizing Committee for their commitment in seeing to the success of the Conference. She expressed hope that the conference will address the Agricultural problems of the Country.
The Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Charles U. Onugu thanked the Vice-Chancellor for his total support towards the success of the 2016 ADAN Annual meeting. He also echoed thanks to the LOC who rose to the challenge inspite of time constraints. Prof. Onugu noted that three erudite scholars and practitioners in the Agricultural sector were slated to lecture; Prof. Chinedu Nwajiuba an Agricultural economist and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State who spoke on the topic; “Nigeria Agricultural Policy, Implementation Challenges and the way forward towards food Security in Nigeria”. Also, Prof. E. Brisibe handled the second plenary lecture titled “Exploring the Value Chain Component as a Factor in Consolidating the Agricultural Transformation Agenda in Nigeria”. The third plenary lecture dwelt on the Organic-driven Commercial Agriculture by Dr. (Mrs.) H.I. Ogan.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of LOC, Dr. C.I. Ebenebe said that UNZIK is humbled to be chosen to host the 60th AGM of ADAN this year. She thanked the Vice-Chancellor for his magnanimous support for the conference. She also appreciated the Pro-Chancellor for coming to grace the conference. She prayed God to bless all who contributed to the success of the Conference. Dr. Ebenebe believed that the proceedings from the Conference will positively contribute to the development of Agriculture in the country and ensure food security for the populace.
In her vote of thanks, the former Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Lucy Nwuba expressed gratitude to God for the success of the 2016 ADAN Conference. She thanked the Vice-Chancellor for all his support and encouragement. She also appreciated all who graced the occasion with their presence and prayed God to grant journey mercies to all.
Highlight of the occasion was Award presentation to Prof. Nnabude Peter, the Pioneer Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Nnabuife Nonso and Chief Ferdinand Okpalaeke Ugochukwu who is an integrated farmer. There was also display of agricultural products from the Faculty.
