UNIZIK VC Hails CACORP for Promotion of Agriculture, Calls for Sustainability

By Olisemeka Obeche

The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie has hailed the Centre for Agripreneur and Co-operative Research/Practices (CACORP), led by the Director, Dr. Nma Okechukwu Okoroji for their efforts in promoting agricultural and agri-preneur in the institution.

Prof. Anyaehie, who made the commendation on Monday, December 8, while hosting a delegation of CACORP officials led by Dr. Okoroji, urged the centre to explore ways to create a sustainable plan to promote their programmes as well as utilizing the land resources available to them for generation of funds for the centre and the University at large.

Anyaehie also assured of his support to the centre for their programmes and activities while thanking the team for his appointment as chairman of the board.

Earlier in her presentation, the Director of CACORP, Dr. Okoroji stated that the centre was focused on empowering future agricultural innovators and community figures in Nigeria while also functioning as a center for innovative research, practical training, and collaborative projects that are revolutionizing the future of agriculture and rural community advancement.

Dr. Okoroji also highlighted the achievements CACORP to include the cultivation of 2,000 plantain saplings and 800 Malaysian hybrid coconut seedlings on a 20-hectare farmland in Umueje community, Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State.

She further disclosed that the center was constructing a well to ensure water supply to the farmland and that the center have reached a partnership agreement with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) as part of its expansion project. Okoroji further disclosed that plans are in advanced stage for strategic partnerships with different investors and institutions in the area of establishment of model demonstration farms.

Highlights of the courtesy visit was the presentation of a bag made from coconut husk and a customized T-shirt to the Vice-Chancellor and planting of coconut tree performed by the Vice-Chancellor.

Members of the delegation included Prof. Pius V.C. Okoye, Member of the Governing Council; Prof. Frank Nwankwo, Dean Faculty of Management Sciences. Others are Dr. Ogochukwu E. Okafor, Dr. Eucharia Obidiebube, Dr. Clara Anugwu, Dr. Taiwo Olabisi Abdulahi, Dr. Ikenna Nwokedi, Mrs NkirubNonyelu, Dr. Uko Ibeabuchi and Victoria Thomas.