The Managing Director of Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA), Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi, has presented beneficiary identity cards to the Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Youth Empowerment Programme, Dr. Nelson Omenugha, for the 21 executive members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) from Nnobi Ward One.
Additionally, Dr. Onyemaechi provided 21 pamphlets outlining the benefit package to ensure that the beneficiaries are fully informed and receive their entitled benefits.
During the card presentation at the ASHIA complex, Awka, Dr Onyemaechi, noted that the scheme has remained instrumental to quality and affordable healthcare services in Anambra.
He appreciated Dr Omenugha for the gesture and encouraged the beneficiaries to access the services and give feedback to the agency to enable them serve Ndi Anambra better.
Receiving the cards, Dr Omenugha, emphasized his interest in ensuring productivity through properly taking care of the people doing the work and his deepest concern on healthy living of his people.
He noted that getting his ward executive members enrolled into ASHIA is part of his contributions to the growth of APGA, good governance and Anambra State in general.
The Chairman of APGA, Nnobi ward one, Chief Frank-Iyke Ezeanya, in a vote of thanks appreciated Dr Omenugha for his support and Dr Onyemaechi for the good job he is doing in ASHIA.
He promised greater commitment to mobilizing support for Governor Soludo, growth of APGA and the state at large.
*Okafor is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
The Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA), has inaugurated a Technical Working Group (TWG) comprising of key stakeholders on health to plan and develop a Strategic Health Development Plan that will last from 2024 to 2029.
The two day workshop took place at IDK learning Centre in Awka.
Declaring the event open, the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike explained the importance of the TWG to think through on how to expand the health insurance coverage of the state particularly the informal sector and how to implement the mandatoriness of the scheme through innovative strategies of businesses providing evidence of health insurance certification before they can operate.
Dr. Obidike applauded the MD/CEO of ASHIA for representing the health insurance agency in Anambra and nationwide.
On his part, the Chairman, Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Mr Tony Muobike, spoke on success achieved with a predetermined plan (SHDP) and a strong legislative framework as the bedrock of every project.
He gave his support by promising necessary legislation with the House of Assembly or draft new legislations that will be passed in the House of assembly.
Giving an overview of the workshop, the Managing Director of ASHIA, Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi said that the plan will look carefully at how the agency will strategically increase their coverage to enroll more into the scheme, the practical steps they need to take to achieve their objectives.
Dr. Onyemaechi noted that because the staff of the agency are integral part of the stakeholders developing the plan, they will have an institutionalize memory of the document even when he must have exited the position in the future, expressing optimism that his would be successor will continue with the plan.
According to the ASHIA MD, the plan will equally bring out the practical steps they need to take on month-to-month and year -to-year bases, how to source the resources they will leverage on among others, describing the document as timely.
The event attracted relevant stakeholders, representatives of the National Health Insurance Agency, WHO, Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture, State Bureau of Statistics, Research Consultants, Ward Chairmen, Civil Society Organizations, others.
*Chisom is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State.
To improve the health care delivery system in Anambra State, the state government in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), on Tuesday, launched the State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Unit and its accompanying e-platform.
The platform is targeted to enable real-time registration, renewal and regulation of health facilities and licenses, data collection, analysis, and reporting, facilitating informed decision-making and prompt intervention where necessary to ensure better performance from healthcare providers.
Inaugurating the initiative in Awka, Anambra State Capital, the Chairman, Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Mr Tony Muobike described it as a tool to actualize the dream of Governor Chukwuma Soludo to provide quality healthcare to Anambra people, noting that due to its importance, the state legislature did not waste time in passing the bill legitimizing the initiative within a month of its arrival to the assembly.
Muobike, while commending the state ICT Agency for its contribution towards the development of the initiative’s e-platform, called on health professionals to familiarize themselves with the law and fully integrate it into their operations so that they do not run foul of it.
“Quackery is in many forms. Aside from those who are operating illegally, we also have registered institutions run by doctors where quackery is being practiced.
“The law supporting this initiative affects all professionals in the health practice and the idea is that each professional will concentrate on their specific areas of certified and proven expertise.
“Though there will be inspectors who will ensure compliance with the law, the public also has a duty to ensure that the law is well implemented,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike described the initiative as a regulatory system to enhance management of health facilities and practitioners in the state.
“Prior to this administration, almost 80 percent of healthcare services were been driven by the private sector with little or nothing to regulate them but with the advent of the Governor Soludo administration, investment in the healthcare sector have constantly been on the rise ensuring better days ahead”
Obidike further explained that the initiative and the accompanying e-platform are all aimed to systematically eliminate quackery in all its forms in the state health system and increase accessibility especially for those in rural areas.
“Under this initiative, we already have 326 health informants across the state who provide us information on health facilities across the state.
“It is unfortunate that their findings show that 45 percent of the health facilities operating in the state are not registered.
“This platform will enable residents identify health facilities that provide services in specific areas, as well as help in reporting issues.
“By adopting advanced monitoring and accreditation processes, we are setting a benchmark for other states in the federation. It is a testament to our commitment to harnessing technology for the advancement of public health.
“At the national level, the Anambra State Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Unit and E-Platform is a crucial step towards achieving the objectives of the National Health Policy. It supports the federal government’s efforts to strengthen health systems, improve service delivery, and ensure accountability in the health sector.
“We are proud to contribute to the realization of these national goals, which are vital for the socio-economic development of our country,” Obidike concluded.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the state ICT Agency, Mr Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, expressed appreciation to the governor for the opportunity to demonstrate what technology can do in the health sector.
He noted that technology cannot solve all your problems but can solve so many problems. It is only dependent on what you want to achieve with it.
Mr Agbata further explained that what the ICT agency has done is to replicate the vision of the ministry in setting up the e-platform and bringing on board, all the state assets. The idea is to ensure authenticity and eradicate quackery as much as possible.
He explained that the reason for the URL, ashefamu.anambrastate.gov.ng; is to solidify authenticity. The State Executive Council have approved the .anambrastate.gov.ng as a stamp to authenticity of all government information and processes.
The ICT boss appealed to practitioners in the industry and people of the state to flog the system and ensure that it accomplishes the intent for which it was established.
In a goodwill message, the representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Mohammed Bonnos congratulated Anambra State for the milestone, saying the initiative will protect Anambra citizens.
A practical demonstration of how the system works and discussions on the scalability formed the high points of the event.
* Nwanodu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
The Anambra State Commissioner for Industry, Mr. Christian Udechukwu has described the state under Mr Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, as a steadily rising economic destination point in Africa and an increasingly preferred location where numerous developmental and industrial enterprises are being encouraged to establish and flourish.
The Commissioner made the remark during an interactive session with some officials of United Nations Development Program (UNDP) from Lagos State who visited him in his office at Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex, Awka.
Mr. Udechukwu declared that Anambra State is steadily planning, organizing, strategizing, and executing to launch an ambitious agenda in Anambra Industrial City with a view to move Anambra State toward becoming one of the global centers of excellence for Industries with the capacity to absorb and process a vast variety of raw materials to finished manufactured products, in automotive industry park, pharmaceutical industry park, agro – processing industry park, leisure – entertainment centres, financial services centres and more.
“Some of the made in Anambra products would be exported back into the global market to earn foreign exchange and to grow our share of global trade.
“In order to achieve this goal of establishing an emerging manufacturing hub, Mr. Governor, Prof Soludo will soon unveil the Masterplan for the new Anambra Industrial City, the new Awka 2.0, Onitsha 2.0, the Solution Fun City and more.
“In the Ministry, we are looking to grow our export program, we are also aiming to reach out to the world as a rising trading and industrial centre.”
According to him, We are hopeful to partner with UNDP for industrial investment promotion, export development, talent enhancements, global placement of highly skilled talents, capacity building for export focused industries, setting up trading houses in overseas markets and working to attain all compliance with international trades and to access new markets.”
Commissioner Udechukwu also pointed out that, beyond industrial development that Gov. Soludo is poised to grow a population that is productive at home and exportable abroad as well as ensuring that the next generation is more literate than the current one. This is why the Governor is investing free education in public schools and human capacity development through innovation and vocational skills acquisition for youths.
Earlier, the leader of the team Mrs. Joyce Oburu, thanked Commissioner Udechukwu for availing them the opportunity to interface with him and expressed their happiness to be in Anambra state to consolidate their historical partnership.
Mrs. Oburu said that the aim of their visit was for new program development and data verification for their Small to Medium Enterprise project grant support program that the UNDP are implementing in Anambra State.
She added that the SME Grant Support Scheme project was designed to supporting and enhancing the growth capacity of SME’s using cluster approach that is comprised of two layers which include a grant of 100,000 to 3,000 SME’s in the state and staged capacity building for SME’s through trainings, mentorship and coaching of the entrepreneurs.
“The purpose is to enhance and intensify their capacity to do business in a standardized form and to help them with the grant to bounce back from the shocks of the recent global economic turbulence that had affected Nigeria after the COVID-19 era because according to survey, Anambra State were also severely affected.
“We are not giving them the grant for short term purpose, we also have long term purpose to ensure that all these businesses strive,” she said.
The team leader said that the project has six states as the pilot states, pointing out that Anambra has always been home for UNDP over many decades with a State UNDP Resident Officer in Nigeria, Ms Chinwetal.
She also stressed that UNDP have some additional programs they are about to roll out in the Anambra State, ranging from African Young Innovators Program and UNDP Jubilee Fellow programs that will be of benefit to Ndi Anambra.
“To propagate this SME Grant Scheme program, we have a structure where we reach out to people in the LGA’s through ASATU with Traditional Rulers and President Generals of various towns taking the sensitization to the grassroots and they have already selected people that will help in local mobilization, reported Mr Okwudili Obiefuna, Director of SME at the State Ministry of Industry.
“We are at the stage of sensitization, awareness and also mobilizing our youths for their participation in communities and markets. Very soon, people will start online registration for these UNDP programs,” he said.
Present at the meeting were the Director SME Mr. Okwudili Obiefuna, the SA on Commerce and Industry Mr. Eloka Mmaduekwe and the SA to the Commissioner and UNDP desk officer in the Industry Ministry, Ms Jennifer Okoye.
*Amaka is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
The United Nations Development Program ( UNDP), is to partner the state Ministry of Youth Development to empower thousands of young people from Anambra State through the UNDP sponsored SME start-up/expansion project.
Speaking on the programme, the UNDP Team Lead, Mrs. Joycee Oburu stated that the ultimate goal of the project is to enhance the youths with Business Startup/expansion plans not just to compete in the state but in the country and globally.
According to her, the business financing programme will involve disbursement of a grant of ₦100,000 to 10,000 SMEs and will also incorporate mentorship and coaching of the SMEs for higher productivity.
She also stated that apart from undergoing training and mentorship to ensure that they maximize the grants for business growth, they will also be exposed to the international market.
Mrs.Oburu who noted that they decided to identify with the Ministry of Youth Development because 65% of the SMEs are associated with the youths, requested for the support of the ministry for the success of the project.
Responding, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Patrick Agha Mba welcomed the UNDP Team and also thanked Governor Chukwuma Soludo for creating the right environment that is conducive for reputable agencies like UNDP to work in Anambra State through his integrity and credibility in management of resources.
He said that the target of Mr. Governor as captured in his manifesto is raising 1000 youth millionaires and creating 130 private sector jobs annually in Anambra State, stressing that the governor is very intentional in attracting investors in the state by building of massive roads infrastructure and creating enabling environment to ensure that the private sector thrives in the state.
He further stated that this is the first time in the history of the state, a youth was appointed to lead the Ministry of Youth Development, which is an indication that Governor Chukwuma Soludo is determined to change the narratives and move youth development to the next level.
The commissioner also explained that since assumption of office, the Ministry of Youth Development has set the motion for strategic partnership with relevant agencies like UNICEF, NASME, SMEDAN and ITF in order to ensure that policy formulation and implementation for youth development is properly articulated and executed.
He enumerated the key programmes of the ministry as 1 Youth 2 Skills Solution, Solution Job-KikstartInitiative and the soon to commence skill training programme for those at the primary and secondary school levels, describing the 1 Youth 2 Skills Solution as a total deviation from the usual youth empowerment programmes of the government to more impactful and sustainable programmes.
Mr Agha Mba emphasised that the 1 Youth 2 Skills Solution is purely a community base programme designed to incorporate five very important stages– Apprenticeship/Vocational Skills Training Scheme, Entrepreneurship Scheme, Cooperative Formation, Business Financing Scheme and One Year Mentorship Scheme.
He also explained that in the second phase of 1 Youth 2 Skills Solution, 10,000 youths will be empowered, which is an improvement on the 5000 youths who were empowered in the Pilot Phase with vocational and entrepreneurship skills in addition to a sum of N2 billion spent in business financing scheme for start-up/expansion.
The commissioner maintained that 75% of the businesses funded under the Pilot Phase of the programmes are already showing signs of success based on impact assessment conducted by the ministry and other programme evaluation agencies.
He also stated that 1 Youth 2 Skills had been adopted the federal government as a result of the successes recorded and that preliminary discussions had been held between the state and the federal government for possible partnership.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Martin Agbili, while appreciating the UNDP team for coming, stated that the major programme of Mr. Governor in the Ministry of Youth Development is to see how the ministry can develop the youths and enhance their potentials.
He assured UNDP that the ministry will accord them 100% support since its programmes and that of the ministry are targeted at achieving common goals for the youths of the state.
Also present during the meeting were the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development, Mr Emeka Tony Omatah, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development Mr. Chibuzor Udeh, UNDP State Focal Persons, Wetalu Okosi, Jennifer Odunukwe among others.
* Aniagbado is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
Anambra State has witnessed a groundbreaking event as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative, a federal government program aimed at empowering Nigerian youths with tech skills recently hosted a Networking Meetup at the IDK Learning Centre in Awka.
The event was graced by distinguished guests, including the 3MTT Community Manager for Anambra State, Somto Akujuruobi, who expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his Renewed Hope Agenda and to Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo for his efforts in making Anambra a digital tribe.
Mr Akujuruobi also lauded the Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani for spearheading the 3MTT initiative along with IHS Tower and NITDA for their significant support in fostering the initiative’s goals in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the spiritual father of the day, Bishop Alex Okedo, emphasized the importance of integrity in the tech industry, setting the tone for a day filled with insightful discussions and reflections.
A highlight of the event was the keynote speech delivered by the MD/CEO of Anambra State ICT Agency, Mr Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on MDAs Support, Mr. Castro Ideke.
Agbata emphasized the transformative power of technology and the need for continuous learning and adaptability in the dynamic field of tech.
“The path may not be easy but I assure you it will be a success.
“Let us seek knowledge relentlessly and believe in our ability to make a difference. This future is not just happening, it is ours to create”. Agbata concluded.
Attendees were inspired by success stories shared by members of the 3MTT community, including Oghene Kome, a success story from cohort one, who emphasized the importance of goal-setting and continuous learning in achieving success.
The event concluded with a sense of optimism and anticipation for future collaborations and shared successes. With a commitment to nurturing talent and fostering innovation, the 3MTT Networking Meetup in Anambra set new standards for empowering tech skills and driving positive change in Nigeria’s digital landscape.
* Nwanodu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
The Anambra State Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji has called on Anambra’s illustrious sons and daughters in The Diaspora to come home and invest, noting that the State is safe and has good road networks.
“Anambra State in the whole of Southeast is ranked the number one in the ease of doing business and our Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has built a lot of roads across the state which will expedite tourism in the state.”
The commissioner said this during the unveiling of the Soul City Obosi Project, at a business dinner held at the Hilton Leisure Hotel and Suites, Regina Ceali, Awka.
He noted that the design of the Soul City Obosi project is superb and in a good location at the base of the second Niger Bridge.
“Everything expected to be done for a safe investment by the public has been done and investors are safe to invest.”
He pledged government’s readiness to support investors to enjoy their investment in any part of the state, noting that Mr. Governor is on the right track and more things are coming.
The founder, Soul City Estate, Mr. Nnamdi Nwokoye said that the project is a dream come through which will make Anambra State great.
“Soul City, Smart City is a tourism area which will have a mini zoo, schools, hotels, hospitals, residential, amusement parks, others and will be second to none in Nigeria.
“Our investors from Europe and America will be here soon. Hon. Commissioner, I assure you that as this is starting in your time, it is going to be completed in your time too. We will continue to wish for your support for the project.”
He, then, thanked the Ministry of Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism for the support rendered to him in ensuring the project undergoes due process.
In a presentation on the benefits of Real Estate Investment, Dr. Tony Mbeke said that Real Estate is a life investment that does not depreciate with time and Soul City Estate is a real wonderland in a great location.
“Soul City is a place to invest your money for the organizers are reliable and the location where it is located is in a good site where everyone would want to be. Invest in land purchase because it is a seed you should sow today for your future and the unborn,” he said.
He warned the public to be mindful of where they invest their hard-earned money as regards the purchase of land.
One of the investors in Soul City Estate Obosi, Chief Arthur Nworah said that it is good to invest in Soul City.
A cultural Dance performance by the Anambra State Troupes and a Music presentation by an upcoming artist ‘Apete’ formed the high point of the event.
*Ifeyinwa is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State.
The Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) enforcement team in collaboration with Anambra State Vigilante Group (AVG) has on April 4, took a decisive action to dislodge illegal occupants from an uncompleted building at Amawbia Express intended for use as a hotel due to concerns over threats and nuisances to the surrounding environment.
Prompted by a surge in drugs peddling and other illicit enterprises within the environment, officials of the two combined teams acted swiftly to dislodge approximately 300 individuals hailing from Kano, Taraba, Kogi, Adamawa and various other states, who had unlawfully occupied the structure.
Addressing Journalists in Amawbia, Anambra State, the Commander of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, Mr. Ugochukwu Nwimo, said that there are urgent need for intervention, citing rampant illegal enterprises and public nuisance perpetrated by the occupants.
Nwimo, who said that there was prior warnings and 14 days eviction notice to the illegal occupants of the structure, they persisted in their nefarious activities, hence, a comprehensive response from authorities.
Speaking on the need to maintain law and order in the capital city, Mr Nwimo said that contact with the owner of the building showed his lack of knowledge regarding the unauthorized tenants, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
In his words, “Efforts are underway to ensure the safety and well-being of children and women found in the premises. while measures are being taken to prevent similar situations in the future” he said.
When inquired by the newsmen on the arrangement of the occupants of the uncompleted building, a private security man from Adamawa State, Muhammed Garba who oversees the premises, clarified that the owner of the building had no knowledge of the illegal occupants.
Garba, who said that he accommodated them based on brotherhood and tribal affection, acknowledged that there was nefarious activities ongoing within and around the area, but insisted he has never been part of such act, nor has any arrangement whatsoever in constituting public nuisance.
Residents who spoke to newsmen on condition of anonymity, expressed gratitude for ACTDA’s intervention, applauding the restoration of order and the eradication of the criminal hub.
They unanimously acknowledged the persistent security and social challenges posed by the presence of those occupants and welcomed the decisive action taken by authorities to restore sanity to the state.
*Ukpa is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
In a firm stance against examination malpractice, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, has emphatically said that parents and unauthorized individuals will not be permitted entry into examination centres across the state during the Transition Placement Examination.
The directive was issued during an interactive session with Zonal and Area Education Officers (ZEO) at the Ministry of Education Conference Hall, State Secretariat Complex, Awka.
Commissioner Chuma-Udeh emphasized that severe consequences await anyone found violating this directive, as the government aimed to curb instances of examination malpractice within examination centers.
Expressing concern over this, Commissioner Chuma-Udeh underscored the necessity for strict compliance with the directive.
She urged officers to ensure that invigilators are fully informed about the directive and to enforce its implementation, asserting that the state government will not tolerate any deviation from the directive.
She urged the officers to ensure that only bonafide serving teachers, and not Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) teachers or retired teachers serve as invigilators during the examination.
In a similar development, the Ministry of Education has issued a directive urging schools in the state to adhere to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s mandate for the installation of IP cameras.
Addressing Zonal Education officers and Area Education officers at a meeting held in Awka, Prof. Chuma-Udeh emphasized the necessity of complying with the governor’s injunction.
She highlighted Gov. Soludo’s concern over the escalating incidents of student molestation, prompting the decision to implement surveillance measures both inside and outside the classrooms.
The commissioner urged officers to prioritize the prompt installation of IP cameras in schools under their jurisdiction to enhance safety and deter misconduct.
*Obiageli is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
Participants at a two day farmers summit/international conference on agriculture have called on governments and stakeholders in the sector to deploy new technologies leveraging on the development of organic farming to boost food security in the nation.
Professionals in the sector comprising of practitioners,scholars and policy makers drawn from across the nation and beyond made this call during the conference organised by the Faculty of Agriculture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University,Awka at the Institution’s Auditorium.
Declaring Open the conference with the theme”Digitalisation of Agriculture and Bio-conservation for food security” the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, described the theme of the conference as apt considering the era of digital switch and it’s relevance in enhancing agricultural practice and food supply which is very pivotal to sustaining economic growth and development of the nation.
Prof. Esimone who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, , assured the Faculty of the continuous support of the present administration at a time where every citizen of the nation ought to join the practice of agriculture either by food production or animal husbandry.
The scholar stated that now the Faculty is about completing her movement to its permanent site based at Ifite-Ogwari and Umueje, the University community is eagerly awaiting the advent of the Farmer’s Market which will lead to revenue generation for the institution and supply of farm produce to the University Community and beyond.
In her address, the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Cordelia Ebenebe informed that the International Conference is aimed at relating with practitioners in the same trade at the global parlance, to learn from their achievements and strategies designed to surmount challenges.
Prof. Ebenebe disclosed that it was on this note that the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) engaged not just erudite personalities in the field of agriculture but also real farmers with the wealth of experience in the sector.
In his Keynote Speech, a Former Director, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) Ghana, Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo harped on the essence of big data science and applications of digital trends to produce food.
Underscoring the importance of smart farming in the areas of irrigation, livestock farming,crop growth model,robotics and equipment automation,he made a strong case for use of lots of scientific and mechanical innovations to make farming more sustainable.
On his part, Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Dr. Foster Ihejiofor,who received an award of recognition during the event, described the event as apt and designed to proffer solution to food crisis facing the nation.
He stated that all hands must be on deck in the practice of agriculture to make profitable and sustainable as it is a way of feeding the nation, creating of jobs and generating wealth.
Dr. Ihejiofor emphasized that the Gov. Soludo’s administration is using agriculture to provide opportunities and jobs for the youths of the state with technology driven ways to enhance their skills and competence.
The Agric. Commissioner informed that the state have gone into Oil Palm and Coconut tree planting by distribution and cultivation of seedlings which in the nearest future will generate funds for the state.
The lead paper presenter and Director, Songhai Integrated Farm, Port Novo, Republic of Benin, Rev. Fr. Prof. Godfrey Nzamujo presented a paper titled, “The Challenges today in Harnessing and Deploying Digital Technology to leverage Regenerative Agriculture,”
He stated that the challenges facing the sector is on how to use agro-ecological and climate-smart principles and practices to turn our present food and agricultural system into a resilient, regenerative, high productive and sustainable system.
Prof. Nzamujo averred that agricultural initiative at Songhai Integrated Farm is based on the conviction that the present situation requires a radical change in our agricultural system to enable people to develop the awareness and capacities commensurate with the dynamics of biological systems and our environmental capital.
The scholar also highlighted that Green Economy of tomorrow termed Agro-economy should be based on tripod comprising of the living (Biological Sciences), Decentralized Renewal Energy and Digital Technologies.
While calling for new technologies adaptable in organic agriculture production,he showcased how he was privileged to witness new technologies deployed in both livestock and crop production in Songhai.
He commended the Faculty of Agriculture for the initiative behind the all important conference geared towards enhancing the Agricultural sector.
On her part, the Chairperson, FAIC Organizing Committee, Dr. Eucharia Obidiebube noted that the conference provided a platform for discussion on the modern trends in agriculture and also a way to encourage the youths to embrace agriculture as a means of wealth creation.
The scholar disclosed that the Committee invited Prof. Nzamujo as one of the lead paper presenter to share in his wealth of knowledge and as well explore the Songhai Integrated Farm as the institution plans to establish a Pilot Farm with a view to having institutionalized based Songhai Farm.
Other scholars who spoke at the conference were Prof. Shadrach Olufemi Akindele, Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University of Nigeria and Prof. Rotimi Akuko, Director Canada Research Chair Richardson Centre for Food Technology and Research.
The opening ceremony of the conference also featured Farmers’ Summit, Conferment of Awards and Recognition of students of the Faculty for their academic excellence.
