COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE LAUNCHING OF UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN WOMEN’S SOCIETY AGRO IMPACT PROJECTS EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE HELD AT TRENCHARD HALL, UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN ON 24^TH NOVEMBER, 2017

Preamble:

The official launching of the University Of Ibadan Women’s Society Agro Impact Projects Empowerment Initiative was held at the Trenchard Hall of the University Of Ibadan on 24^th November, 2017 under the distinguished Chairmanship of former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Rtd. General Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR. Dignitaries in attendance were the Chief Host, Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka, his co-host, the Chairperson of Agro Impact Board of Trustees, Prof. Janice Olawoye. Others include: The DVC (Academics) Prof. Aderinto, the Registrar, Mr. Olukoya, The Governor of Oyo state ably represented by Prof. Olusegun Adekunle, Engr. Seyi Makinde represented by Hon. Kehinde Ayoola, the former Speaker, Oyo state House of Assembly, Mr. Olakojo, former Secretary to Oyo State Government and Prof. E. A. Iyayi, Registrar, NIAS ably represented by Prof. A.O.K. Adesehinwa. Others include Prof. Kuta Mohammed Yahaya, Dean Faculty of Education, Prof. Ademokoya, IAR&T representative, Mr. Ogunjimo, Dr Ojo of Genetics Resources, and  Dr. Adeyinka Onabule, Senior Advisor on Food Security and Nutrition to the Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.  Representatives of MDA, Civil Organizations, NGOs, IART, Army officers’ wives, famers association, Students farm and Research were well represented.

Presentations and discussions:

The President of UIWS Dr Eyiwumi Olayinka, a lecturer in the Faculty of Arts and wife of the UI Vice Chancellor, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka gave the welcome address where she thanked the former President Rtd. Olusegun Obasano for attending the ceremony despite his tight schedule and commended him for having passion for women, youth and survival of the entire nation as demonstrated by his numerous agricultural projects throughout the nook and cranny of the society. Similarly, she expressed her gratitude to the Shea butter (Ori) production team from Saki who she said has been collaborating with UIWS by training volunteers for tree planting. She averred that the UIWS Agro Impact was borne out of the need to emancipate women from poverty and make them to be gainfully employed.  According to her, solving any identified societal problem should be seen as a shared responsibility and not the sole responsibility of the leaders or government as erroneously believed by majority of Nigerians. She thereafter, remarked that Agro Impact intends to leverage on the abundant intellectual resources in the University to impact the society particularly the women and the youths. The president concluded her speech by wishing the participants a fruitful deliberation.

Her presentation was immediately followed by welcome address by the Chief Host, the Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Prof. A. I. Olayinka, In his speech, he described the Chairman of the occasion as the longest serving visitor to the University having being the Head of State twice. He observed that women constituted about 50% of the world’s population as such empowering them will impact positively on the children, the family and the entire society. The VC explicated the significance of agro based activities. He asserted that the problem has always not being the message but the messenger. The VC concluded his speech by wishing the members of UIWS a fruitful launching.

First Technical Paper by Dr. Morufat Balogun

The first technical paper was presented by the Chairperson of the Agro Impact Think Tank Committee Dr Morufat Balogun who gave a brief history of Agro Impact initiatives which she said is the pet project of UIWS. She observed that Nigeria is blessed with natural resources and it is the highest producer of cassava, maize, pepper, and banana yet not among the exporting nations and produces only for consumption. She cited the unemployment rate in the country to be 19.7% while national poverty level is 54.4%. Dr Balogun opined that with a population of about 180 million people Nigeria has the largest market for farm products in Africa. She intimated the audience that the purpose of Agro Impact Initiatives is to use agric to impact women which will culminate to increasing the GDP and transformation of the Nigerian Society. She thereafter, discussed the six comportment of the Agro Impact Initiative. Other issues she raised were the strategies, collaborators, achievements and bottlenecks of the initiative. She applauded the various teams that made up the six components of Agro Impact. She concluded her presentation by pleading with the invited guests to donate generously in the launching which is targeting 500million naira.

Former Nigeria President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo Remarks (Chairman of the launching)

Former Nigeria President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo appreciated the President of Agro Impact for the worthy initiative to eradicate poverty in Nigeria by empowering women and youths. Obasanjo noted with dissatisfaction that Nigeria’s social economic problems began with the unwillingness of many Nigerians to engage in agriculture because they felt that farming is not glamorous. He commended the efforts of University of Ibadan Women’s Society to make farming glamorous through Agro Impact project. He added that when Agriculture becomes a Business venture the more people would like to identify with it. The former President assured the participants of certification centre for farm products such as yam which would qualify it for exportation to other countries as was done by Ghanaians whose yams can be transported anywhere in the globe. He expressed his concerns that fish production which he considered easy to produce and market was not part of the initiatives of Agro Impact. He informed the house that Tilapia produce profusely and only three things required for fish farming are fingerlings, feeds and markets. He volunteered that Agro Impact can partner with Obasanjo farm to achieve zero poverty by 2025 (5 years before the vision 2030 date). The former President said he is currently on a team which intends to monitor issues related to Agriculture in the 36 states and FCT. At present, he said that they have visited only two states namely; Benue and Ebonyi. The essence of the visitation is to monitor and improve  all agricultural policies and possibly remove bottlenecks as well as provide assistance to make Nigerians self sufficient in food and nutrition. He concluded his speech by pledging his unalloyed supports for Agro Impact projects.

Presentation by Students Farm Research Foundation by Samuel Olugbemiga

Mr. Samuel Olugbemiga who spoke on behalf of the Association said that Students’ Farm Research Foundation is interested in farm and research. He asserted that they have partnered with UIWS on fertilizer project. At present he said that they have empowered 32 farmers and 20 youths. In conclusion, he requested for partnership with stakeholders to enable them scale up the activities of the Association.

Keynote Address Presentation by Dr Adeyinka Onabulu

Dr Adeyinka Onabulu, the Senior Adviser on Food Security and Nutrition to the Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development presented her presentation titled “Best Practices for Nutrients Retention in processed foods’. She commended UIWS for starting the value chain with food processing. She expressed her surprise that the initiative do not have nutrition objectives. She explained the key facts about food processing and justified the reason for food processing. Dr Onabulu also distinguished between household level food processing and industrial food processing. She advised that whatever method of cooking or preservation that will be adopted, it is essential to select the right cooking/preservation method that will maximize the nutritional quality of the meal.

Presentation by Prof. A.O.K. Adesehinwa, representing Prof. E. A. Iyayi (Registrar, NIAS)

In his presentation Prof. Adesehinwa said that he was surprised that nothing on livestock was included in the Agro Impact project. He promised that Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) will support in the area of livestock production. On behalf of the Institute, he specifically promised the start-off stock and training of intended beneficiaries.

Presentation by Mr. Kingsley (NISER)

Mr. Kingsley from NISER noted that about 50% of Nigerians are women yet majority of them are not empowered economically. He noted that NISER was created because banks are hesitant to award loans to farmers. He stated  that NISER does not grant loans rather it absorbs about 75% of the risk involved in giving  loans to farmers to enable them qualify to obtain loan from Commercial Banks and other related institutions.

Presentation by Rukayat Adeniyi (NAOWA)

Mrs Adeniyi Rukayat NAOWA PRO who represented the Chairperson said that the launching has opened their eyes to possible areas they could explore since every army wife is a farmer. She described the Agro Impact project as a laudable one. She pleaded for collaborations with Agro Impact in order to scale up NAOWA agric related projects.

Showcasing of Agro Impact Projects by Dr. Funmilola Ajani

Dr. Funmioloa showcased the finished products of Agro Impact. She said that though the initiative started small but it has expanded to utilize the following agro based products; Cassava, Tomatoes, Maize and plantains to produce garri, snacks, starch, tapioca, starch, Cassava flour amongst others.

Other Speakers

Other speakers including Prof. Adesoye, Prof Adekunle and Shasha Women Association promised to collaborate with UIWS on their Agro Impact project.

Vote of Thanks by Prof. Janice Olawoye

Prof. Janice Olawoye, the Matron of UIWS appreciated the President of UIWS for not allowing the idea to die like others who nurse great ideas and allow it to filter away.  She noted that academic life involves teaching, research and community services. She concluded that what UIWS is currently doing is part of Community Services. She thereafter appreciated the guests, members of the high table, presenters and participants and wished them well in all their endeavors. The launching ended at 1.20 pm with the singing of the National Anthem as well as the UI anthem.

Prepared by Dr. Ndidi Ofole