The International Trade Centre, an arm of the United Nations with WorldTrade Organisation, has pledged to work with the Agribusiness Incubation Centre, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, for enhanced service delivery in the Agriculture value chain.
A five member team from the Centre based in Geneva made the pledge during a visit to ABIC in Umudike where they were received by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Maduebibisi Iwe and the Director of the centre, Dr Philips Nto.
Leader of the delegation, Mr Richard Eke- Metoho, said they chose ABIC for the partnership because of its pioneering initiative in training of farmers and other interest groups for enhanced food production.
He explained that their aim in the partnership is to ensure the digitalisation of the agricultural processes and scale up the Centre’s ability in service delivery.
He further disclosed that the International Trade Centre is scaling up its interventions in Nigeria, including Abia State, and would provide comprehensive technical assistance for the agri food e-commerce ecosystem.
The team leader noted that they have been immensely impressed with the activities of the ABIC, hence their visit to see things for themselves.
Receiving the delegation, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Iwe, who was represented by the deputy vice Chancellor, Academics, Prof Udo Herbert, commended the UN team for finding ABIC worthy to benefit from their programmes.
Prof Iwe highlighted areas that MOUAU had been at the forefront for the promotion of agribusiness and entrepreneurship among her graduates.
He said the ABIC was a bold initiative by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to enhance food security in the country, noting that the centre has been active to ensure that farmers are properly trained in modern methods of the agricultural value chain.
In his remarks, the Director of ABIC, Dr Philips Nto, expressed joy that a high calibre organisation like ITC elected to work the centre in its drive to serve the people better.
Dr. Nto said the lofty aim of the federal government in setting up the centre will receive a boost with the planned collaboration with the United Nation and World Trade Organisation agency.
He informed the team that apart from the regular physical training that the Centre offers to beneficiaries, it has commenced a radio programme named Farmers Friday, to take the gospel of modern methods of agriculture to the grassroots.
Among the MOUAU management staff that received the team were, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof Elechi Asawaram, the Registrar, Dr Mrs Nkiru Mbanasor, the Librarian, Dr Isaac Ogbonna, the Bursar, Ugochukwu Isikaku Ironkwe and the managing director MOUAU LTD Jrof Jude Mbanasor