The University has recorded milestones, as exhibited during its Research and Agricultural Fair, organized as part of activities of the 23rd, 24th and 25th Combined Convocation Ceremonies in the areas of entrepreneurial skills, livestock, farm produce, microfinancing and other production, associated with agriculture. FUNAAB Research and Agricultural Fair is an important part of academic life of the University, which was usually held as part of events to mark the University’s week-long convocation ceremony.
Speaking during the tour of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies (CENTS) stand, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ololade Enikuomehin, encouraged budding entrepreneurs and their skill leaders to be resilient, saying that there was the need to review the curriculum, to accommodate other students in the various Colleges by making skills acquisition a compulsory course in the University. At the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management (AQFM), College of Environmental Resources Management (COLERM), the sight of the fishes on display, like the breeding of the gold fish from the Department interested the team, while appreciating staff and students of the Department for the good works with a challenge that they go commercial.
At the UNAAB Microfinance Bank, which exhibited the Farmers’ Delight; a product that was originally designed for graduates of the University and specifically planned to provide financial services to farmers across the nation, the Acting Vice-Chancellor commended them for putting up a stand at the fair. The Acting Vice-Chancellor and the entourage stopped at FUNAAB Conservices Limited (FUCONS) and they were marveled that FUCONS would be supplying all the bottled and sachet water to be used at the ceremonies. The company, which could render customised party production for the bottled water, was established in 2016. While at FUNAAB Companies, the Acting Vice-Chancellor was briefed on the production of some University products such as palmwine, ‘garri’ and honey, among others.
At the FUNAAB Alpha Chickens stand developed by Professor Olufunmilayo Adebambo, the immediate past Director, Biotechnology Centre, the Acting Vice-Chancellor implored Professor Adebambo to appropriately document the technical and literary form of what FUNAAB Alpha was all about, for adequate reference purposes. At the Directorate of University Farms (DUFARMS), there were several farm produce that were displayed. The Director, Mr. Michael Jaiyeola appealed for more support for the Directorate, while the Acting Vice-Chancellor assured the Director of an opportunity to access a grant, to expand oil palm production even as he charged staff to give their best to the system.
At the Cattle Production Venture (CPV) stand, Professor Enikuomehin encouraged members of the University community to take advantage of the opportunities inherent in the venture, adding that it was a good investment. At the Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR), the Acting Vice-Chancellor commended the efforts of the Institute at ensuring food security within the community. IFSERAR has eight programmes namely: Aquaculture, crop research, food and nutrition, biosciences, engineering, livestock, food security as well as environmental resources and conservation.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor’s entourage also stopped by at the Agricultural Media Resources and Extension Centre (AMREC) stand, where he acknowledged the intervention given to rural women by the centre, on a visit to the Home Science and Management (HSM), College of Food Science and Human Ecology (COLFHEC); Professor Enikuomehin was impressed with the displayed practical works of students of the Department. At the Zoological Park stand, which displayed a 70-year-old tortoise to the admiration of the tourists, the Acting Vice-Chancellor commended the staff, as he charged them to always put in their best, while at the Oyo State Fadama III Project, the Acting Vice-Chancellor stated the University was proud to be associated with the FADAMA Project. Meanwhile, visitors and participants at the Research and Agricultural Fair, lauded the University for organising such an event, while urging the Management to ensure the commercialisation of the outcomes of the various researches in line with the diversification programme of the Federal Government.