Nigerian senators extol IITA’s “impressive” role in Africa
In the wake of the launching of IITA’s 50th anniversary celebration, seven Nigerian lawmakers constituting the country’s Senate Committee on Agriculture visited IITA this week, praising IITA’s efforts in undertaking agricultural research that “continues to show impressive results”. They have also indicated an interest in using the Institute’s technologies to develop the agricultural blueprint of the country.
Senator A.A. Adamu with DG N. Sanginga (right).
Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, who led six other lawmakers to Ibadan on 31 October-1 November for an official visit, said IITA’s presence in Nigeria offers government numerous avenues to get proven agricultural guidance and solutions that could make the country food secure. He also pledged government’s commitment to work with the Institute to surmount barriers to fruitful research efforts. This is the first time that a Committee of this caliber has visited IITA.
“What I have seen here (IITA) is exceedingly impressive. It is interesting to know that IITA will be celebrating 50 years in Nigeria. The Institute appears to be one of the best kept secrets of Nigeria, there is a lot happening here. As senators, this assures us that the intention of the Nigerian government for bringing agriculture to the fore will be a success. Let us work together to make the impact of IITA’s research felt on the people…We are committed to playing our part in ensuring success in agriculture and will take every possible step to ensure that we share IITA’s problems with the government,” Adamu said.
The senators on a tour of the IITA facilities.
The Director General of IITA, Nteranya Sanginga, appreciating the senators for the visit, reiterated that IITA is well positioned to work with national agricultural research institutes and the government.
“Thank you for accepting to visit this Institute. We are open to your advice and recommendations, and our expectation is that this meeting will develop a working relationship between IITA and similar institutions in Nigeria, as well as with the Senate and the Nigerian Government,” Sanginga said.
The visit provided a forum for the senators to acquaint themselves with the Institute and learn how IITA has been benefiting Nigeria and Africa. They were also taken on a tour of IITA’s research facilities, fields, and had an interaction with the Youth Agripreneurs.
Other senators in the team were Theodore Orji (vice chair), Aliyu Abdullahi, Omogunwa Olatubosun, Shitu Ubali, Gbolahan Dada, and Muhammad Aliero.
