The University campus became a reminiscence of eventful memories as Agricultural Engineers within Kwara State converged on the International Conference Centre of Landmark University, for their 4th Quarterly General Meeting which held on Thursday 1st March, 2018. The apogee of the event was the presentation by His Royal Highness (HRH) Engr. Moses A. A. Adewuyi (Dunmade I, Oluju of Iludun-Eju, Kwara State) who elated the participants with the lecture titled “Public Service as a Mirror Image of a Nation: Experience of an Agricultural Engineer.”

During his lecture, HRH Oba Adewuyi shared his experience as an Agricultural Engineer that spanned across three decades where he has witnessed changing operational environment(s) with associated strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. He admonished Nigerians especially the younger generations to join the public service and serve patriotically with the ultimate aim of making the country better than it is.

According to him, the Civil Service is indispensable as it has the traditional role of keeping the functions of government running no matter what changes occur in the administration of the country, it must be non-partisan to enable it serve any Government of the day and must be made up of experienced men and women with the technical and professional know-how to enable it implement government policies. “The public service of any country stands out as the major machinery of government for the formulation and implementation of public policies. It translates the plans and programmes of government into concrete public goods and services for the use of the citizenry.”

After highlighting the problems the Civil Service is faced with he said “the public service is designed to be the prime mover of the social and economic development of a nation, they remain the most precious asset of any nation. The Public Servant is thus a major ambassador of his nation and the way he behaves or carries himself within and outside his country is a mirror image of his nation.”

Speaking earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adeniyi Olayanju welcomed participants and appreciated the leadership of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE) at the national and Kwara State Chapter for their pledge and proof of technical support to the University in driving mechanized agriculture. He echoed what NIAE stands for, being the official body of all practicing Agricultural Engineers in Nigeria. “It is thrilling to note that NIAE formulates policies for the practice of the profession and sets the standards for all systems, processes and operations in the field of Agricultural Engineering in Nigeria. It has over the years contributed immensely to developments in Agriculture, Engineering, and the national economy as a whole. In the like manner, LMU has been living to its name by making commendable impact in the society.” Professor Olayanju reminded all that the institution is a foremost private agricultural-based University established on 21st March 2011 by the Living Faith Church Worldwide, with the audacious goal of addressing food insecurity in the continent of Africa, thereby redeeming the image of the black race via agricultural revolution. Stating further that Landmark University has distinguished herself with respect to excellent teaching and learning facilities promoting mechanized agriculture and product development as well as fostering gainful value chains in agriculture.

While imploring participants to make good use of the treasures inherent in their interaction for the actualization of the sustainable agricultural practice in the course of realizing the Sustainable Development Goals he said “In recognition of the role of engineers in general and agricultural engineers in particular in fostering sustainable and mechanized agriculture, the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers was granted hosting permission for its 4th Quarterly General Meeting with the hope that cross breed of ideas on this platform will be of mutual benefits to both the NIAE and LMU in driving their related goals in the interest of the growth and development of Africa and Nigeria in particular. This professional interaction promises to spark a new mindset of public service in the participants towards redeeming the image of the nation and engendering excellence service delivery across the board to guarantee the needed sustainable development in Africa.”

The programme had representatives from University of Ilorin, Kwara State University, Kwara State Polytechnic, Lower River Niger Basin Authority, National Stored Products Research Institute and the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization amongst others.