AT FAC. OF AGRIC’S FARM PRODUCE MARKET DAY

UNILORIN Units tasked on innovative researches

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has challenged the 16 different Faculties and other units making up the University to conduct research and organise programmes that would help in solving challenges facing the nation.

Prof. Egbewole threw the challenge penultimate Wednesday (February 28. 2024) while speaking at the opening ceremony of the Faculty of Agriculture’s Farm Produce Market Day.

Prof. Egbewole, who spoke through the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI), Prof. Adeboyega Adisa Fawole, said that providing solutions to national challenges is one of the core reasons why the University was established.

The Vice Chancellor commended the Faculty for organising the FPMD, which, he said, would enable members of the University community to get access to  fresh agricultural produce, particularly at this economically challenging period.

Prof. Egbewole said that the event would enhance practical training of its students, saying that students engagement in farm work and marketing would not only stimulate effective teaching and learning but would also help in ensuring increased production of varieties of crops and livestock.

The Vice Chancellor, who is also the Secretary-General of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU), added that the periodic marketing of farm produce by the students would also expose them to the business aspect of farming.

In his remarks at the event, the Registrar of the University, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla, appreciated the Faculty for the great achievement, which, he said the event represented.

He pointed out that the event marked the beginning of the University’s contributions towards a reduction in the challenge of food security facing the country.

Mr Alfanla explained that it was exciting to have such an epochal event happening at this time, emphasising that the University would continue to set the pace and remain the mirror of the society at all times.

The Registrar described the event as a breakthrough as he pledged the University management’s support towards ensuring the success of the subsequent episodes.

Speaking earlier, the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Oluyemisi Fawole, said that the introduction of the FPMD was aimed at affording members of the University community access to a wide range of freshly harvested green vegetables, broiler chickens, eggs, honey, snails, locust beans, wood artifacts, smoked fish, crayfish, garri, maize, and other processed products from the Faculty.

She added that the programme would continue to be organised so as to expose students to the agric business as characterised by the selling of the farm produce.

Prof. Fawole expressed her excitement about the event, adding that she looked forward to receiving a bigger and greater population of customers at the next market day.

The Dean stressed that the University has embraced the agric business potential of its students, and promised that the FPMD will continue to provide exciting opportunities for the University community as he called for more support for other endeavours of the Faculty.