All roads led to Dr. K.J Nwufoh Hall, Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, as eminent personalities such as the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanni Adetunji; Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono; the Registrar of Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, Prof E A Iyayi; the first female Executive Director of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Prof. Veronica Obatolu, and other intellectuals, academia, stakeholders and dignitaries from all walks of life gathered to celebrate the Founder’s Day of the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, in grand style.
The Founder’s Day celebration, which doubled with the college’s 57th anniversary, took place on Thursday, April 1st, 2021.
Provost of Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology celebrates first Founder’s Day since 1st of April, 1964
In his opening remarks, the Provost of Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology (FCAHPT), Dr Adekoya Owosibo was full of thanks to God for using him in the history of the institution as the First Provost of the College to celebrate the historic Founder’s day since the establishment of the citadel of learning on 1st of April, 1964.
He added that the celebration was important as it gave the college the opportunity to showcase its research findings and other achievements of the learning institution.
“It gladdens my heart to welcome you all to this Founder’s Day ceremony as this is the first time the College Founder’s day will be celebrated since 1st April, 1964 when the College was established.
“I also thank God that He has used me as the Provost of the College to mark this important day. This celebration is very important to us because its give us the opportunity to showcase some of our research findings and innovative achievements,” he stated.
The Provost further disclosed that the College has witnessed tremendous development since the Federal Government took over the administration of the College.
Achievements Highlights
He highlighted that “A school of two-building structure has developed to a College of over thirty building structures; a school of less than one hundred students has developed to a Federal College with over one thousand five hundred students; a school of less that forty-five staff has developed to a College with over six hundred staff; the nomenclature of the College Academic Staff was changed from Tutor to Lectureship cadre; the College Lecturers have developed themselves with over twenty-five PhD holders and numerous Master’s Degree holders who are on the verge of completing their Ph.D programme in various Universities.”
Speaking on the achievements of the college Dr. Owosibo disclosed that “The College has produced over six thousand graduates since inception, in which many of such graduates are self-employed while some are in government owned agencies.
“Some have proceeded into academics and become professors.
“The College operates livestock farm like poultry, rearing of cattle, sheep, goat and rabbit among others for students’ practical purposes.
“The College runs a Veterinary Clinic and Diagnostic Laboratory for analyzing samples from sick animals, among others.”
Food and Nutrition Insecurity that is Prevalent in Nigeria
The guest speaker at the Founder’s day celebration, Prof Eustace Iyayi, Registrar/CEO, Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), spoke on the theme “Nigeria: Food Security, Internal Security and Feedlot System.”
Prof. Iyayi noted that despite the shift to crude oil as a source of income to the country’s economy, agriculture still remains important source of livelihood for the majority of the population.
He added that “Agriculture is an important sector of the economy, contributing about 21.2 percent to GDP and 36.5 percent to employment.”
The CEO of NIAS lamented on the food and nutrition insecurity that is prevalent in Nigeria despite the country’s favourable agro-ecological endowments.
Iyayi revealed that Nigeria has a total landmass of 92.4 million hectares, out of which only about 32 million hectares or 34.63 percent are under cultivation.
“Malnutrition is widespread in the entire country and rural areas are especially vulnerable to chronic food shortages, malnutrition, unbalanced nutrition, erratic food supply, poor quality foods, high food costs, and even total lack of food,” he said.
The Internal Security in Nigeria
Speaking on the internal security in Nigeria, Prof. Iyayi noted that the crisis in the country have contributed to food insecurity the nation faces, adding that the activities of Boko Haram and Bandits have caused many farmers in the north to relocate to neighbouring countries.
“Today, as a result of prolonged armed conflicts involving several groups, food insecurity is worsened by national insecurity especially the Boko Haram group and pastoralist herders.
“The activities of these groups in terms of invasion and sacking of farming communities have resulted in many people’s death, thus creating acute insecurity.
“The state of insecurity in many of these farming communities has made it practically difficult for farmers to continue to engage in farming activities (production) optimally, thus affecting productivity and causing market disruptions with attendant food price shocks.
“The crisis in the North has forced some of the crop farmers and pastoralists to abandon their lands and relocate to the neighbouring countries of Niger, Chad and Cameroon,” he stated.
He further explained that the incursion of herders into farmlands in the North Central, South West, South South and South East had occasioned the farmers-herders conflict, which has grown in intensity, severity of fatality and widespread in recent years.
“These conflicts have further exacerbated the already food insecurity situation,” Iyayi concluded.
The guest speaker, therefore, recommended that the security agencies need to step up their intervention in order to put the insurgency in the North East and banditry and kidnapping in the North Central and North West to an end.
Livestock Productivity Would Boost Nigeria Economy If Well Harnessed
Prof. Wole Olufemi in his presentation on the theme “Livestock Productivity and Health in a Post Pandemic Era” said we have to ensure that support measures intended to provide temporary relief for the farmers are put in place.
He noted that “The first casualty of the pandemic is the farmer. We must also support wider opportunities to repurpose agricultural support in ways that can guarantee food security for the country.”
The erudite Professor further said if the Livestock Productivity potentials in Nigeria are well harnessed, it will boost the Nigeria economy and provide nutritional food security for the country.
Among other activities at the 57th anniversary celebration of the FCAHPT was awards presentation to distinguished alumnus in recognition of their immense contributions to Animal industry and growth of the college.
Dignitaries at the Event
Dignitaries at the event include: His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanni Adetunji Aje Ogungunniso 1, the Royal Father of the day represented by High Chief Adesina Olagunju Aresa; the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono represented by Engr. Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Regional Director South West; Prof Garba Hamidu Sharubutu, the Executive Secretary Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria; Hon. Garba Mohammed Isinbabi, representing Governing Board Chairman NIOMR, Lagos; Prof Veronica Obatolu, Executive Director of IAR&T Ibadan; Dr Abayomi Olaniyan, Director of NIHORT, Ibadan; Dr Sunday Aladele, Director of NACGRAB, Ibadan; Dr Olukemi Augustus Provost FCA Ibadan; Dr Albert Akinyemi Fadiyimu Provost FCA Akure; Mr Olufemi Lumpkin, Alumni President FCAHPT Ibadan, Prof E A Iyayi Registrar Nigerian Institute of Animal Science and Keynote Speaker; Prof Oyewole Olufemi, Prof of Vet. Medicine FUNNAB and sub theme Speaker; Dr O O Adejinmi, Immediate Past Provost FCAHPT IBADAN; Dr A M Raji, former Provost FCAHPT IBADAN; Mr Raymond Isiadinso, President, Animal Science Association of Nigeria and CEO Mid Century Agro; Dr. Oyedele Godwin Oyediji, immediate Past Registrar NIAS; Prof AOK Adesehinwa, 2nd Vice President NIAS; Dr Martha Olumide, National Treasurer ASAN and all Management and staff of FCAHPT.
