WAAPP/PPAAO visit IITA-Abuja Station

A 156-member international delegation from 13 ECOWAS countries was at the IITA-Abuja Station on 18 November as part of the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAPP/PPAAO) wrap-up meeting in Nigeria.

The delegation was received in IITA by Alfred Dixon, Head, Development and Delivery Unit; Michael Abberton, Deputy Director, IITA West Africa Hub; and Gbassey Tarawali, Head, IITA Abuja Station.

In presenting his opening remarks, Dixon welcomed the delegates on behalf of the Director General of IITA and thereafter thanked the organizers of the event for considering a visit to IITA as part of the Nigeria agenda. He praised the positive and progressive partnership between IITA and WAAPP and made a case for its sustenance.

For his part, Tarawali gave a welcome address which highlighted the evolution of IITA-Abuja Station and its rapid transformation. He mentioned the investment of IITA management in revamping infrastructural facilities in the station and the various projects and partner institutions currently working in the station.

Other presentations made by IITA scientists during the event highlighted the progress of the WAAPP-funded initiatives implemented by IITA and other partners. They included: (1) WAAPP Nigeria and Sierra Leone (Cassava) –Richardson Okechukwu, Cassava Commodity Specialist; (2) WAAPP Nigeria (Yam) – Beatrice Aighewi, Seed Systems Specialist; (3) WAAPP Nigeria (Maize) – Sam Ajala, Maize Breeder; (4) WAAPP Liberia (Cassava) – Michael Edet, Cassava Agronomist; (5) Youth Agripreneurs; and (6) IITA and WAAPP – Abberton, Deputy Director for Western Africa.