… Emphasises FUNAAB’s Openness to Collaboration
By Olasunkanmi Olajide
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, graced the 9th edition of the Agrofood and Plastprintpack Nigeria Trade Show today, March 26, 2024.
Organised by the Organisation for the Technology Advancement of Cold Chain in West Africa (OTACCWA), the event took place at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Addressing attendees at the Opening Ceremony, Prof. Kehinde reaffirmed FUNAAB’s commitment to Teaching, Research, and Extension Services. He emphasised the University’s openness to collaborations, particularly in agribusiness and post-harvest activities.
Prof. Kehinde highlighted the promising partnership between FUNAAB and Germany, recalling a recent visit by the German Consul General, Mr. Weert Borner to FUNAAB.
The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied to the Show by Prof. Olufemi Ojo, Director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), and German Consulate Desk Officer for FUNAAB, along with Dr. Matthew Wheto and Dr. Olubukola Odeyemi.
Distinguished speakers at the event included former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; representatives from Ministries of Agriculture, Industry, and Budget Planning, as well as diplomats such as Mr. Weert Borner and Mr. Wouter Plomp, the German Consul General and Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria respectively, who expressed readiness for professional cooperation in their speeches, alongside Italy’s Ambassador and Economic Attaché.
Meanwhile, during the sidelines of the 6th West Africa Cold Chain Summit & Exhibition (WACCSE) with the theme, Cold Chain as a Catalyst & Backbone of Nutrition & Food Security, the Vice-Chancellor met with the President of OTACCWA, Mr. Alexander Isong, and the possibility of partnering in the area of curriculum development to cater for Cold Chain as a discipline at the Postgraduate level was extensively discussed.
A notable moment was the visit to various exhibition stands, including an impressive one-meter leap by 87-year-old Chief Olusegun Obasanjo from the podium.
With over 140 exhibitors from 15 countries, namely Belgium, Bulgaria, China, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Italy, the Netherlands, Nigeria, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Tunisia and Türkiye showcasing tailored products and solutions for the Nigerian market, the event is slated to end on March 28, 2024, solidifying its status as the largest gathering to date.
The Agrofood Fair held regularly at the Landmark Centre since 2015, serves as a pivotal platform for business relationships and networking across sectors like agriculture, livestock breeding, food technology, beverages, and packaging in Nigeria.
The 9th agrofood Nigeria emerges as the premier food fair, offering a rich hub for exploration and meaningful connections among participants.
