… pledged to partner the centre
Daniel Kanu
Abia State Government has endorsed the Agricbusiness Incubation Centre at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike as a catalyst for enhanced food production in the state.
It has subsequently pledged to partner the Centre in its drive to recruit the citizenry to embrace agriculture as a means of ensuring food security.
The Commissioner for Agriculture , Prof Monica Ironkwe made the declaration when she led a high powered delegation to the Centre at MOUAU.
She said Gov Alex Otti directed her to make the exploratory visit to the centre as a result of the positive impact it has made in so short a time after its establishment.
According to the Commissioner who was accompanied on the visit by the Special Adviser to the governor on Agriculture, Dr Cliff Agbaeze, Gov Otti is quite pleased with the activities of the Centre.
She disclosed that the government is willing to partner the Centre to boost food production and enhance profitability in agriculture among the populace.
In his own contribution, the SA on Agriculture, Dr Cliff Agbaeze assured the Agricbusiness Incubation Centre of the readiness of government to work with it for the betterment of the citizens.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Maduebibisi Iwe , the Director of the centre, Dr Philips Nto expressed the gratitude of the University to Gov Alex Otti for showing interest in what is happening at the centre.
Dr Nto who conducted the delegation around the Centre and briefed them on its activities, assured Dr Otti that MOUAU will assist him actualize his vision of enhanced food production in the state.
He noted that with the governor’s massive road infrastructure and human capital development, it would not be long for Abia to emerge the hub of Agricbusiness in the southern part of the country.
The Director also commended the delegation for their incisive questions and deep interest in the operations of the Centre, and assured them of the prompt services of MOUAU Agricbusiness Incubation Centre.
Present at the visit were Prof Nneoma Obasi,Dean, College of Applied Food Science and Technology, Prof Ifeoma Onwuka, Director, Centre for Gender and Child Development and top staff of the Agricbusiness Incubation Centre.