It was a moment of double honour for the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), as the International Society for Tuber & Root Crops (ISTRC), granted her the hosting right of its 16th International Symposium, just as the University’s Director of Leventis Memorial Centre for Learning (LEMCEL), Professor Lateef Oladimeji Sanni, was appointed the Society’ First Vice President.
Consequent of the decision, the University will play host to the 16th edition of the Society’s symposium where participants are expected from at least 54 countries, across continents.
The news was broken by the President of ISTRC, Professor Andrew Westby, who added that the Symposium is slated for September 23 – 28, 2012 with the proposed theme, The Roots and Tuber of Global Development.
Participants will also look at policies favourable to enhancing the contribution of roots and tubers to development, the global scenario on production as well as the application of new scientific and technical knowledge on roots and tubers.
The new Vice President, Professor Sanni will double as the Chairman of the Symposium’s Local Organising Committee, with the responsibility of ensuring that necessary logistics were put in place for a hitch-free and successful hosting.
Sanni, a professor of Food Science and Technology is the current President, University Alumni and the Country Manager for Cassava: Adding Value for Africa (C:AVA), a Bill and Melinda Gate initiative.
In a swift reaction, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun, has congratulated Professor Sanni for the achievements as well as for his relentlessness in constantly putting the University in global reckoning.
Professor Balogun has therefore assured that the Management will put its full weight behind the Local Organizing Committee, in making sure that nothing was left undone to achieve a landmark hosting, noting that if well-managed, the Symposium, aside from other positive attributes it portends, will impact positively on the local economy, particularly that of the University.