To drive it’s vision in the Agricultural Sector, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has said his adminstration will create a more robust industry for the rural communities in the State with special focus on women and youth inclusion.
Governor Ikpeazu said his administration will continue to partner the Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike to achieve it’s objectives.
The Governor stated this, Wednesday, at Government House Umuahia, when he received a delegation of the Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Professor Maduebibisi Iweh and his Management Team who were accompanied by the University Visitation Panel.
He noted that the University has been of great importance to the State especially by supporting the training of high and middle manpower cadre and interventions in various areas of Agriculture including the production of exotic seedlings.
Gov Ikpeazu pointed out that the State choose to become the value addition hub of various agricultural products hence the decision to undertake the establishment of Agro Allied Cottage industries in the 17 Local Government Areas with focus on cassava processing, rice milling among others.
According to him, six LGAs have been selected for the pilot scheme which would take off soon, while equipment for the industries have since arrived the State from India.
The Governor assured that the State government will partner with the institution on reverse engineering, fabrication and production of agric equipments for application in the various communities.
He added that Government will support the marketing of such inventions, patronage and applications to make the University relevant to specific needs as the country yearns for economic development.
While acknowledging Prof Iweh as the first Vice Chancellor of the University from Abia State origin, the Governor promised that the State government will create the ambience for the visitation panel to do their work efficiently.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the Institution, Professor Maduebibisi Iweh said the visit was to present himself as the 6th Vice-Chancellor of the University, his Management Team and the Presidential Visitation Panel of the school to the Governor.
He commended the Governor for his goodwill to the school and support which led to his emergence as the new Vice-Chancellor of the University and expressed readiness to partner with the State in the area of agriculture.
Contributing, the Chairman of the Visitation Panel, Professor Suleman Adeyemi said, the purpose of constituting the Visitation Panel by President Buhari is to review performance of the University in terms of governance, academic standard, management of finances, staff and students relationships among others.
He appealed to the Governor to look into non issuance of Certificate of Occupancy to the University as well as encroachment of the university land by unauthorized people.
