As Abuja Station Head, Prof Sanni, pays courtesy visit
The newly-appointed IITA Abuja Station Head, Professor Lateef Sanni, recently paid a courtesy call on Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim, the Secretary of the Agriculture and Rural Development Services, Abuja, in his office at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) secretariat.
Highlighting the objectives of the visit, Sanni informed the FCTA Secretary that he was there, first to introduce himself as the new IITA Abuja representative and secondly to strengthen the already existing partnership between both parties. He recounted past achievements recorded by the Institute and the Ministry of Agriculture that, according to him, date as far back as 1991.
While lauding the numerous contributions and role played by the Ministry towards the success of the Institute in actualizing its mandate, Sanni sought additional assistance in three critical areas. Top on the list was a request for an outreach and capacity building line budget to be drawn from the Ministry to enable IITA to bridge the gaps in agricultural interventions in FCTA.
According to Professor Sanni, if granted, this will place IITA on a pedestal to play the strategic role that will complement the Federal Government and the FCTA’s efforts in guaranteeing food and nutritional security within the Federal Capital Territory Administration and beyond.
Responding, Mallam Ibrahim congratulated Professor Sanni on his appointment as the new representative of IITA Abuja. Mallam Ibrahim noted with great delight the impact of the partnership on farmers in the FCTA. He appreciated the IITA delegation and pledged his ministry’s total commitment to the continuing success of the research institute.
The FCTA Secretary seized the opportunity to inform the visiting delegation of the planned 2022 Farmers’ Day. He stated that, as usual, IITA would be expected to play a significant role. Ibrahim noted that finishing touches were being made on the reviewed MoU between both parties and will be signed soon.
IITA Abuja Station representative was accompanied on the visit by past station chiefs Gbassey Tarawali and Beatrice Aighewi, and Marketing and Visitors Service Officer Terngu Aburi.
Source: IITA
