Story of the week
INNOVATIVE FOOD PRODUCTION SYSTEM NECESSARY FOR MEANINGFUL GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY
Professor Michael Ngadi, a James McGill Professor of the Department of Bioresource Engineering and Director, Integrated Food and Bioprocess (IFB) program McGill University, Quebec, Canada, said that with an innovative food production system in place, Nigeria will rise above the tide of food insecurity. This was his charge to the assembly of Agricultural Engineers, technicians and students who converged on Landmark University for the 20th International Conference and 40th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers on Tuesday, 17th September 2019.
Speaking on: “Innovations and Technologies for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanisation and Livestock Transformation for Economic Growth,” the professor of Food and Bioprocess Engineering said Nigeria’s food processing sector still remained underdevelopment despite the large potential market, noting that most government agriculture policies had failed to address the food insufficiency debacle. According to him, the country still depends largely on imports to meet its demand for quality food in spite of abundant available natural resources.
“Despite high-cost production and poor infrastructure, there is increasing need for local food production processors. This is to differentiate their products in order to meet the growing tastes of the young and high-income consumers.
“We consume more processed food yet process very little; our food production system is still rudimentary. This present way of producing food is not sustainable and has very little capacity to move Africa out of poverty.
“There is an urgent need for change. A paradigm shift in our food production system is necessary to achieve meaningful success in global food insecurity,” he said.
He emphasized that the innovative food production system should target the various challenges of food production and availability such as urbanisation, natural resources degradation, climate change and food waste among others. He revealed that urbanisation brings about increase in food consumption while 25 percent of all farmland is already rated highly degraded. He revealed further that rise in the frequency of droughts and floods reduces crop yields and between 33 – 50 percent of all food produced are never eaten.
In view of these challenges, he noted that food production systems that are required must be “private-sector driven, environmentally compatible and climate smart, affordable, convenient, friendly to smallholder farmers, nutrition sensitive and inclusive of the interests of women and youth.”
Professor Ngadi, therefore, recommended high capacity building of stakeholders as very crucial to achieve the desired food sufficiency and socio-economic transformation.
-
Professor Michael Ngadi speaking on Innovations and Technologies for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanisation and Livestock Transformation for Economic
-
The National Vice President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Kilomodemo Ibitoye delivering the address of the NSE National President, Engr.
-
The President, Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers, Dr Musa Shuaibu welcoming participants to the 20th International Conference and 40th An
-
Professor Adeniyi Olayanju, Vice-Chancellor, Landmark University and Chair, Conference Organizing Committee, Omu-Aran 2019 giving his address at the 2
-
Dr. Yomi Kasali, Executive Director, National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation, NCAM, Ilorin, and Co-chair, Conference Organizing Committee of Om
-
Dr. Indra Mani, President Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers, New Delhi, making his presentation at the 20th International Conference and 40th A
-
The Olomu of Omu-Aran, HRH Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti giving his goodwill at the 20th International Conference and 40th Annual General Meeting of the Nige
-
Professor Adeniyi Olayanju, Vice-Chancellor, Landmark University receiving an award at the 20th International Conference and 40th Annual General Meeti
-
Dr. Indra Mani, President India Society of Agricultural Engineers receiving an award at the 20th International Conference and 40th Annual General Meet
-
Professor Faborode, former Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University making award presentation to Dr. Darrin Drollinger (Middle), the Executive Dire
-
Mr. Kola Adeniji, Managing Director Niji Lukas Nigeria Limited, receiving award at the 20th International Conference and 40th Annual General Meeting o
-
L-R: Dr. Ogunjirin, NIAE Chairman, Kwara Chapter; Professor Michael Faborode, former Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo Ile-Ife; Professor John Ohu, Uni
-
L-R: Members of the Landmark University community - Dr. Jerome Idiegbeyan-ose, Director Centre for Learning Resources; Professor Omorefosa Osemwegie,
-
A cross section of participants at the 20th International Conference and 40th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engin
-
Miss Fola Oyinloye, Registrar Landmark University, and Mr. Dare Fadoju, Director Financial Services, Landmark University at the 20th International Con
-
Cultural display at the 20th International Conference and 40th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers
-
A group photograph of the Omu-Aran and Iludun monarchs, NAIE excos, foreign delegates, and Landmark management at the 20th International Conference an
Was this Content helpful?
Click Here
Email Address:
How was your experience with this page?
Yes
No
How was your experience with this page?
Today @ LMU
Omu-Aran, NG
clear sky 27.31oC
See More >>
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Get the latest news and updates by signing up to our daily newsletter.
LANDMARK UNIVERSITYS LIFE APPLICABLE EDUCATION SYSTEM RECOGNIZED AS MAX AFRICA LAUNCHES INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME
Landmark University's distinctive approach to education, centred on life-applicable and life-transforming learning, received validation this week when representatives from MAX Africa visited the institution to seek collaboration for their second internship program. The visit underscored the high regard organizations have for Landmark’s graduates, known for their competence and productivity in the workplace.
During the meeting, MAX Africa's Chief Technology Officer, Mr Olusegun Leigh, unveiled the company’s new internship initiative designed to empower young innovators and leaders in Africa’s mobility sector. Leigh expressed admiration for Landmark University’s alumni, who, he noted, have consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, resilience, and leadership within MAX Africa. He introduced Mr Kefas El-Olam, a graduate of Landmark University who is the Senior Product Manager, MAX. "Our first point of call for this new phase is Landmark University, primarily because of the exceptional value delivered by Landmark graduates who joined us in the first phase of the internship programme. Their resilience, ability to drive results, and leadership qualities have made a lasting impression," Leigh said, emphasizing how these qualities align with MAX Africa’s mission to address broader industry challenges by cultivating skilled professionals across the continent.
Adding to this, MAX Africa’s Digital Strategist, Mr Adewunmi Oshilaja, highlighted the soft skills and professionalism of Landmark’s graduates. “Beyond technical expertise, Landmark graduates have displayed strong leadership qualities and high standards of professionalism,” he stated. "The core of our strategy is to build well-rounded leaders. As much as we want our interns to gain hands-on experience, we are also committed to equipping them with skills in business communication, team management, and workplace etiquette.”
The upcoming three-month internship program was further detailed by MAX Africa's Human Resource Manager, Mrs Bosede Otaigbe, who described it as a transformative opportunity for participants. She noted that interns would receive intensive training in both technical and interpersonal skills vital for industry success. “Interns will be assigned responsibilities similar to full-time employees and will be evaluated at the end of the program. Those who excel will be offered full-time positions,” she announced. To facilitate applications, MAX Africa has provided QR codes for interested students, who will undergo a thorough screening process to ensure that only the most qualified candidates are selected.
In response, the Vice-Chancellor of Landmark University expressed appreciation to MAX Africa for recognizing the university’s talents and choosing Landmark as a major recruitment partner. He attributed the leadership qualities displayed by students to the legacy of Chancellor Dr David Oyedepo and affirmed the university’s confidence in the students' readiness to embrace this opportunity. He also highlighted Landmark University’s recent recognition as Nigeria's second-best university in the Times Higher Education rankings, further showcasing the institution’s commitment to excellence.
The Registrar also conveyed gratitude to the MAX Africa team and assured them of Landmark University's full support in achieving the program’s goals. Other members of the university’s management expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, seeing it as a significant step towards advancing opportunities for students, the university, and Africa at large.
Others in attendance at the meeting were the Chaplain, Pastor Popoola; the Dean of Students, Dr Abimbola Oluyori; the Sub-Dean of Student Affairs, Mr Noah Olaibi; the Student Development Officer, Mr Daniel Emmanuel and the HRBP, Compensation & Benefits, and City Manager, Ilorin, MAX, Mrs Adebimpe Alabi.
Members of the Landmark University management and the Max Africa team in a group photograph after the meeting
R-L: The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kolawole; the Registrar, Engr Adebayo Ajala; the Dean of Students, Dr Abimbola Oluyori; the Sub-Dean of Student Affairs, Mr Noah Olaibi during the meeting with Max Africa
MAX Africa's Chief Technology Officer, Mr Olusegun Leigh while speaking on the new internship programme
The Max team with the Landmark University Student Development Officer, Mr Daniel Emmanuel (L)
The Student Development Officer, Mr Daniel Emmanuel introducing Max Africa to the student community
Max Africa’s HR Manager, Mrs Bosede Otaigbe while speaking to the students of Landmark University on the internship programme
The Max Africa team interacting with Landmark University student community
Max Africa’s Senior Product Manager, Mr Kefas El-Olam while speaking to the students of Landmark University on his experience as a student of the University and during the internship programme
Registration point for Max Africa’s internship programme at Landmark University
