RAYMOND OZOJI reports
The Federal Cooperative College Oji River Enugu State Nigeria has been certified by the Thailand Government to host the Thai-Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Technology Learning Centre.
The incubation centre which is a South-South Collaborative Framework between Federal Cooperative College Oji River (FCCO) Enugu State, Kaserstat University Thailand (KU) and Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), is a demonstration farm expected to train millions of Nigerian youths on sustainable mechanised agriculture in order to achieve food sufficiency and food security in the country.
The Thailand delegation to the Federal Cooperative College Oji River which comprised Prof. Kornsorn Srikulnath of the Kaserstat University Thailand, Senior Adviser at Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) Mr. Sorawud Preedeedilok amongst others and led by the Thailand Ambassador to Nigeria His Excellency Mr. Thirapath Mongkolnavin, described the college as a fertile ground for such investment, noting that the flagship project will expose Nigeria and Africa to the practice of sustainable aquaculture and other aspects of agriculture through mechanisation.
The Thailand Ambassador Mr. Thirapath Mongkolnavin said that the government of Thailand initiated the aquaculture and sustainable aquaculture in Nigeria. He said that Nigeria has been identified as a key priority country and that the Federal Cooperative College Oji River Enugu State has been carefully selected for the starting point of the sustainable aquaculture project.
Mongkolnavin noted that the project would be further developed and expanded as a model for other parts of Nigeria and the ECOWAS subregion.
The Thailand Ambassador who stated that the aim of their visit to the Federal Cooperative College Oji River was to conduct a site survey of the institution and also explore opportunities for practical cooperation, assured the college management that they would ensure that the project is realized.
Provost and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Cooperative College Oji River Enugu State, Dr. Jude Ejikeme Obidiegwu, who conducted the Thailand delegation around the project site, the college artisan natural water source and other facilities in the college, assured that the institution is ready for the sustainable collaboration between the college and Thailand.
Obidiegwu was optimistic that when time and technology is invested in the project, the land allocated for the project would be turned into a productive venture, adding that the centre would be a hub for training and development.
The Provost who dedicated the Thai-Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Technology Learning Centre to millions of Nigerians that would be trained therein, described the project as historical and also a boost to the nation's food security even as he believes that people from across West Africa will also access the centre for research purposes and sustainable agricultural practices.
##
0 Comments