From: Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and chairman of United Bank for Africa, Tony Elumelu, are among dignitaries expected to grace the 50th anniversary celebration of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Obasanjo and Gowon are scheduled to address more than 1,000 staff of the institute, including former and serving workers as well as other dignitaries.
The institute is a non-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. It is guided by an ambitious strategy, which is to lift 11.5 million people out of poverty and revitalize 7.5 million hectares of farmland by 2020.
President, African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; former President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Dr Kanayo Nwanze; Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Burundi, Dr Deo-Guide Rurema; and former Prime Minister, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mapon Matata Mpoyo, are among the confirmed participants for the golden jubillee.
Also expected are Oyo State governor, Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi; IITA Alumni Representative, Mrs. Ayoka Lawani; Associate Vice President, IFAD, Dr. Perin Ange; representative of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Abuja, Dr. Audu Grema; and Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka.
Chairman of the planning committee for the anniversary, Dr. Kwesi Atta-Krah, described the event as a significant forum that would afford the institute the opportunity to take a step back and reflect on its achievements, the challenges faced, and plans for the future.
The institute was established in 1967 through partnership of Ford Foundation and Rockefeller Foundation of the United States. It is said to be the biggest international research institute on the continent of Africa working on Africa’s major staple crops such as cassava, maize, cowpea, yam, soybean and banana/plantain. The goal of the Institute is to increase the productivity of Africa’s key staples, create wealth, and sustainable jobs with a view to achieving zero hunger.
Atta-Krah said the participation of key stakeholders, signpost the importance of the event to Africa’s development, adding: “This is an exciting time for us as we will be having in attendance Dr. Gowon who actually, as Head of State then, signed the decree in 1967, that formalised the creation of the Institute. It will be glad for him to see the changes that the Institute has had over the years. The same goes to the other dignitaries.”
Deputy Director for Partnership for Delivery, IITA, Dr. Kenton Dashiell, said the celebration of IITA would provide a platform for the stakeholders to take a retrospect on the impact of IITA and specifically its role in Africa’s food security. “We want to see a more prosperous African continent, and this 50th anniversary is not just about celebration but re-strategizing.
“So far, a lot of interest and registration is going on from IITA alumni who plan to come in their numbers to Nigeria for the event. Most of the IITA alumni including Dr. Adesina and Dr.Kanayo now hold important positions around the world. Dr. Dashiell said, “Our alumni are our greatest assets and contribution to Africa. Today, we are proud seeing them occupy key positions in the agriculture space and making impact.”