Private investment in Agriculture, value addition through establishment of food SMEs and partnership with government will promote local raw material outsourcing and demand driven production that will increase agricultural output and promote sustainable rural development.
A guest lecturer and president, International Academy of food science and technology, Professor Charles Aworh stated this at the eighth Emmanuel Alayande memorial distinguished Alumni lecture titled, Nigeria’s quest for sustainable food security :challenges, missed opportunities and future projects.
Professor Aworh mentioned that agriculture is the bedrock of the nation which had contributed meaningfully to the nation before the discovery of crude oil.
Professor Aworh who noted that over sixty percent of Nigerians lived in poverty advised Nigerian government to trace her step back to agriculture to ensure food security.
Chairman on the occasion, Justice Mojeed Owoade explained that the programme was put together to sustain the memory of Late Pa Emmanuel Alayande who was the founding father of Ibadan Grammar school.
The 13th National President of Ibadan grammar school old students’ association, IGSOSA, Mr. Gaphar Ojetola called on government to formulate good policies that will promote agriculture as well as create an enabling environment for agriculture to thrive.
Dignitaries at the event includes daughter of late pa Alayande, Mrs. Olubukola Oni, a reknowned publisher, Professor Kolade Mosuro, Olu Of Orile Ilawo, Oba Alexander Macgregor, representatives of Oyo State Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology and his agriculture and rural development counterpart.
The programme featured appreciation award, food exhibition, students’ presentation, funds donation, presentation of gifts to best students and teachers.
The lecture was also attended by the general manager paramount Fm Abeokuta, Mr Akinyinka Akintola who is a member of IGSOSA executive.
