REPORT BY GORDI UDEAJAH

National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike, Abia State, is set for greater growth and development following the recent appointment of a new Board Chairman, Hon Sir Basil Ejidike, JP (Ikwelle Nnabuenyi), who visited the Institute on Friday.

In his welcome address to the Chairman ( Ejidike ), the NRCRI Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer ( CEO ), Professor Chiedozie Egesi,, said that his (Chairman’s ) visit was of great significance, signals a renewed momentum for strengthening the institute’s strategic direction, deepening institutional reforms, and advancing the mandate of NRCRI as the national hub for research, innovation, and transformation in root and tuber crops.

He said ” Your appointment as the Chairman marks a new phase of strengthened governance, shared vision, and collective responsibility for NRCRI’s future, we look forward to your guidance, leadership, and vision as we continue to drive impactful science, expand value-addition, and contribute meaningfully to food security and agricultural development in Nigeria and across Africa” , professor said

The CEO ( Egesi ) expressed confidence that the Ejidike-led Board will provide guidance, oversight, and support to position the Institute as a stronger, more impactful national institution stating that the Townhall Meeting with the Staff marks a new phase of strengthened governance, shared vision, and collective responsibility for NRCRI’s future.

The NRCRI CEO however highlighted the institute’s challenges, including funding, infrastructure, staff salary arrears, and land security, seeking the Board Chairman’s support in achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda on Food Security of Mr President.

He (Egesi ) expressed his gratitude to the NRCRI Management and Staff for their cooperation, diligence, and resilience, and to the Labour Unions’ for their support and commitment to institutional stability, concluding his speech with a warm welcome to the Board Chairman and his delegation, and an expression of confidence in their leadership to position NRCRI as a stronger national institution.

In his address,the Board Chairman,
( Ejidike ) promised to work with staff to address these challenges and drive growth, aiming to make NRCRI a world-class center of excellence in Root Crops research.

He emphasized the need for synergy among Management, Staff, Labour Unions, and the Board to strengthen NRCRI and advance its mission, outlining his vision to leverage cutting-edge science, technology, and innovation to enhance food security and drive economic growth, and invited staff to contribute to the Institute’s growth.

Hon. Ejidike also indicated that showcasing NRCRI’s products and services publicly will attract private sector investment, draw public and government attention, and ultimately driving economic growth and food security.

He disclosed to the Staff , his plans to achieve this goal through human capital and infrastructure building, research and development, collaborations and partnerships, promotion of extension services and communication, Staff Welfare and reward system, among others.

REPORT BY GORDI UDEAJAH

Professor of Animal Genetics and Breeding at the Michael Okpara university of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) Abia state, professor Uma Kalu Oke has declared that the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development which he stated was established by the president Bola Tinubu Federal administration on 9th July 2024, has not effectively addressed the animal protein crises in the country.

Professor Oke who spoke in his inaugural lecture titled “Seed Boogie and Products of Animal Origin: A Panacea for Quality Protein Crisis”, urged that the National Animal Production Research Institute, (NAPRI ) Zaria in Kaduna State, should be unbundled, and a research centre established in the South East with the mandate to develop local animal species.

He said ” seed boogie and products of animal origin offer innovative opportunities for sustainable protein supply, but inadequate research centres, economic setbacks and other constraints continue to deepen the protein crisis”.

The MOUAU Vice Chancellor (VC) Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, who presided over the lecture session, said that the university’s monthly inaugural lectures provide professors the forum to publicly present their scholarship, and thus showcase to the world the quality of MOUAU’s academics.

The VC, who expressed optimism that the new Ministry of Livestock Development created by President Bola Tinubu, will accomplish its mandate,and address Nigeria’s protein and nutritional challenges

He lauded professor Oke for addressing such a critical national concern,stating that the university under his ( VC ) five years leadership, has remained peaceful, growth focussed, stabilized and excelled generally.

Professor Oke in his lecture, which was the 66th in the over 32 years old MOUAU, submitted that the policy of having a Ministry for Livestock Development was a good one,” but cannot achieve the President’s target of making quality protein available, without the collaboration between the farmers, researchers,the Universities of Agriculture and the Federal government.

“The goals for the establishment of Federal Ministry of Livestock can only be achieved when there is collaboration between the farmers, the researchers, the University and the government”

He further stated that the development of indigenous animal species is a panacea for quality protein crises in the country, and that NAPRI which is the only Animal Research Institute should be unbundled to allow the development of other animal species.

He therefore recommended the development of poultry or piggery research institute in the South East, including financing of Breeding research.

According to him, establishing research centres in locations with comparative advantage for specific livestock species would significantly boost productivity, adding that a well-designed cross-breeding programmes can help farmers produce animals with faster growth rates, higher egg or milk yields, and improved disease resistance.

While he maintained that increased livestock production can address Nigeria’s increasing protein crisis, professor Oke further urged the Federal Government and other relevant and concerned stakeholders to do the needful that would increase not only livestock production, but strengthen research efforts to check the widening gap in protein consumption in the country

On the notion and caution by some Medical Doctors that there is high consumption of animal protein in Nigeria, the Inaugural Lecturer reacted saying that Nigerians are still far from attaining the level recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Asserting that the potentials of indigenous chickens are many, professor Oke said that they are also cost-effective and reliable source of high-quality animal protein, especially for low-income households.

He therefore urged breeders to apply quantitative genetic principles such as heteros retention, breed complementarity and enhanced genetic variability to strengthen local animal genetic resources, pointing out that despite the economic challenges facing poultry breeding, supportive government policies are crucial for scaling up livestock improvement programmes .

To accelerate production levels, promote proper market pricing, boost research exhibitions, and increase animal protein supply for Nigeria’s growing population, he recommended pilot-scale development of improved local chickens

According to him, establishing research centres in locations with comparative advantage for specific livestock species would significantly boost productivity, adding that a well-designed cross-breeding programmes can help farmers produce animals with faster growth rates, higher egg or milk yields, and improved disease resistance.