The University recently hosted a team of researchers from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan on Sustainable Weed Management Technologies for Cassava Systems in Nigeria. The team was led by Dr. Alfred Dixon, the Project Leader, who was assisted by Professor Friday Ekeleme, Principal Investigator.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole appreciated the team for the privilege afforded FUNAAB to be partners in progress with IITA. He added that FUNAAB had been granted approval to host the Cassava: Adding Value to Africa II (C:AVA II) programme, which means that the University will be leading institutions from the other countries in the research work. Professor Oyewole said the University would ensure that befitting office and laboratory were provided for the smooth take-off of the research, as well as prompt release of funds that will ensure the sustainability of the programme.
Dr. Dixon, the Project Leader thanked the University Management for its usual support in the implementation of the project while former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Segun Lagoke of the Department of Plant Physiology and Crop Protection, also thanked the Vice-Chancellor for his support, which had made FUNAAB to be in forefront of cassava production and research in the nation. At the occasion, Professor Lagoke noted that the major challenge facing farmers in cassava production and appealed to the participants to sacrifice their time in ensuring total eradication of weeds.
A resource person, Mr.Kayode Awobajo, Deputy Head of the IITA Project Administration Office in his presentation said that, the main objective of the visit was to improve the financial reporting skills of researchers by gaining better understanding of the rudiments of contractual requirements and budgeting. Mrs. Nike Osuolale from the Special Project Unit of IITA Finance Directorate was also a resource person, who spoke on ‘Overview of Project Finance and Budgeting’.