By Ovat Abeng
The Faculty of Agriculture Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, has taken the quest to promote Agriculture to the next level through its maiden exquisite banquet and exhibition.
Declaring the event open in Awka, on Monday, the Vice Chancellor of the university Prof.Charles Esimone noted that any country that supports Agriculture can never go hungry.
The vice chancellor regretted that Nigeria has neglected Agriculture and paying the consequences.
He pledged to support the faculty in its quest to enhance food production in the society.
In her address,the dean faculty of Agriculture Prof.Cordelia Ebenebe commended the VC for his interest in developing the faculty and used the forum to present the faculty’s challenges of accommodation for students and staff quarters at its annex at Ifite Ogwari.
Prof. Ebenebe urged all well wishers of the faculty to support the faculty by installing income generating equipment purchased by the VC namely, giant oven,oil palm press,feed mill equipment and many laboratory equipment.
Speaking on the theme of the conference, “Repositioning the faculty of Agriculture for greatness and productivity’ the chairman of the occasion and the Senator representing the Anambra Central Senatorial Zone Senator Victor Umeh described Agriculture as the mainstay of any economy, noting that Agriculture should not fail in Nigeria because God has endowed it with vast mineral resources to make it work.
Senator Umeh who doubles as member Senate committee on Agriculture called on Nigerians to take Agriculture serious and encourage agro based industries to create employment opportunities.
The Senator representing the Anambra North Senatorial Zone Dr.Tony Nwoye thanked the Vice Chancellor of the university Prof Esimone for his attention to the faculty and promised to support the faculty in his own capacity.
On his part, the representative of the President General of Ifite Ogwari Rev.Father Basil Ekwunife also commended the VC Prof.Esimone for supporting the Agriculture faculty, while expecting that governments at all levels will be more serious with Agriculture.
Reverend Father Ekwunife used the forum to commend Governor Chukwuma Soludo for aptly renaming the Umueri international airport after the late Prof. Chinua Achebe.
