The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), at its 50th anniversary, commissioned the Akinwunmi A. Adesina Agripreneurs Building, in honour of his staunch contributions to the cause of the African youth, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to IITA, the $700,000 building is a new Training Facility for Capacity Development for Youth Agripreneurs funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and IITA. The training facility comprises two major training rooms that can conveniently sit 50 trainees each, two big offices that can sit 30 interns each, and 20 standard sized offices.
To grace the Golden Jubilee celebration, Former Presidents of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, General Yakubu Gowon and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo ably represented by the Honourable Minister of Agriculture who was also invited in his own capacity, Chief Audu Ogbeh, His Royal Highness, Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Former President of the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), Dr. Kanayo Nwanze, and other dignitaries, leaders from scientific research, education, and corporate organisations from African countries and beyond, were all present to celebrate an institution that has contributed greatly to food security and nutrition in Africa.
The Chair, IITA at 50 Organising Committee, Dr. Kwesi Atta stressed the need for youths to engage in agriculture of the future.
“We need to begin to look at the future of agriculture and the role IITA will be playing especially as it relates to emerging challenges of climate change, pests and disease. We will be engaging young people so as to curb youth unemployment through agriculture,” he added.
The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, in his address before the commissioning and inspection of the building in his name said, he has always believed in the dreams and ideas of youths, but we have to invest in them.
“My job is to bet on the youths because they are the microchips of the Nigerian economy. So we have to invest in them to drive growth and transformation of the agricultural sector, not only in Nigeria but in Africa,” he said.
The Director General IITA, Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, said the world is waiting for Nigeria to take leadership in the agricultural space…and the messages delivered at the celebration would be critical in helping participants to understand the country’s needs so we can grow better.
IITA was established in 1967 with the partnership of Ford Foundation and Rockefeller Foundation of the United States. It has assisted in the productivity of Africa’s important crops such as cassava, banana/plantain, maize, cow-pea, yam and soybean using the power of inventive science and technology.
The Deputy Director General IITA, Partnerships for Delivery, Dr. Kenton Dashiell, said besides crop and livelihood improvement, IITA’s biggest assistance and strengths are the capacity development of Africans in the agricultural space, and its network of strong national, regional, and international partners.
“Some of our alumni such as Akin Adesina today occupy key positions and are driving the development of agriculture in their respective countries, and in Adesina’s case, the African continent,” he added.
The Golden Jubilee celebration is expected to end on Friday.
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