On 20 August, the University of Nigeria (UNN) Alumni Association visited the IITA headquarters to strengthen its partnership with IITA to ensure food security in the country.
Hilde Koper-Limbourg, Deputy Director General Corporate Services; Michael Abberton, IITA’s Director for West Africa Hub; and Toyin Oke, Head of Resource Mobilization, Protocol, and External Liaison Office, welcomed the team. Koper familiarized the Alumni representatives with the IITA mandate of transforming agriculture in Africa, including the youth programs. A short video introduced them to the research activities at the Institute.
Abberton introduced them to the different IITA stations and hubs, their locations, and the research activities being carried out in West Africa.
Reverend Fr. Francis Chiadi, Chairman of the Alumni’s local organizing committee, acknowledged IITA’s research efforts, contribution to food security, and youth empowerment. He said IITA is viewed as a major stakeholder in the university’s current 106th conference of National Executive Council-Delegates meeting themed ‘University and Nigeria: A critical survey’. “We would be part of what IITA is doing as the need arises,” he stated.
Prof Anselm Onyimonyi, Zonal Vice President, South East, UNN Alumni Association, Department of Animal Science, UNN, said the university has partnered with IITA in training young graduates over the years and expressed appreciation for the existing collaboration between IITA and the university.
He added that the university looks forward to strengthening the synergy that already exists.
In response, Koper highlighted the possible crops that both institutes can work on while encouraging the delegation to explore opportunities with the IITA Business Incubation Platform.
She added that IITA is still growing into other areas of research and agriculture, which gives more avenues for further collaboration.
In his closing remarks, Reverend Fr. Chiadi expressed appreciation for IITA’s warm reception and the great research carried out across Africa to ensure food security and better livelihoods for smallholder farmers.
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