The Potato Farmers Association of Nigeria (POFAN) yesterday gave first ever merit awards of excellence performance to prominent Nigerians among are the publisher, Foodfarmnews, Mr. Ayeni Oladehinde, the Minister of Agriculture, state, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri, and Director General (DG) Raw Material Research Development Council ( RMRDC) Prof.Ibrahim Hussaini Doko.
The awardees according to the president of POFAN, Chief Daniel Okafor were rewarded for their dogged support over the years in the Agricultural sector towards food security, and particularly for increased potato production in the country
Chief Okafor disclosed that the Association having existed for over a decade was just being able to fulfill its constitutional obligation of awards conferment to commendable Nigerians, saying their unending support to agricultural sector and roles to ensure achieving the vision of the potato association towards high productivity is second to none.
He however challenged the awardees to see the farmers' body as their own, just as he also called for more support that would help POFAN further achieve its vision and dream as regards food security through vitamin A nutrient in oranged fleshed potato for children and adults, added that the training of farmers across the six geo political zones with distribution of vines to farmers had be done by the Association to enhance productivity.
Speaking to Foodfarmnews, a representative of an Ambassador of POFAN, and also an awardee, Hon. Muhammad Magaji Gettado (Ma’Ajin Akko), Commissioner, Gombe State Ministry of Agriculture & Animal Husbandry, Dr. Engr. Shamsuddeen Ahmed (Dan- Adala Gona) disclosed that receiving the award for a job well done by his state commissioner is well appreciated, saying effort would be increased towards sustainable potato productivity in Nigeria.
Other awardees are Lt. Gen. Chikadibia Obiakor (Rtd), Mr. Ernest Aubee, Head of Agriculture Division, ECOWAS Commission retired , Prof. Shehu Abdul Rahman, Vice Chancellor Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Dr. Rufus Ebegba DG/CEO Nigerian Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Prof. Chiedozie Egesi ED/CEO National Root Crops and Research Institute Umudike, Abia State, Dr. Nneka Mefoh (Mrs.) (Rector Emerita) Anambra State Polytechnic, Mgbakwu, Alhaji Ahmed Moh'd Dukku, National Secretary North East Commodity Association, Dr. Agha Ukpai Agha, Acting Director with National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Arc.Kabiru Ibrahim, National President All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Chief Sir Crescent Attama (KSM), CEO Tamara hotels Limited, Chief Alphonsus Onwuemeka, Former Director Extension FMARD, Chief William Ezeagu, former director, National Export Promotion Council, Chief Sir Anthony Okechukwu Ezekwesili (Ichie Okeosisi), CEO Austoma Groups of Company and First Forty Hotels Ltd, Chief Sir, Odogwu Dennis (KSM) Nwachinemelu, MD, Only God Global Investment Ltd, Arch. Amechi Don Ifejika, patron POFAN Anambra State, Chief Asuquo Asuquo, patron POFAN Cross River State.
Members of the fourth estate of the realm that were honoured include -
Mr. Collins Nnabuife, Senior Reporter at Nigerian Tribune Newspapers, Joke Falaju, Senior Correspondent, the Guardian Newspapers, Miss. Nneka Nwogwugwu, Assistant Editor Nature News Africa, Mr. Vincent Yusuf, Senior Reporter Daily Trust, Mr. Gabriel Ewepu, Vanguard Newspaper.
Post-Humous Award was given to late. Dr. Shettima Mustafa, Former Minister, Agriculture, Defence & Interior, former Deputy National President II, AFAN, Prof. Kenneth Nwosu, former CEO National Root Crop Research Institute Umudike, Late Prof. Chukwuemeka Prosper Ephraim Ofora ( Omaliko), former H.O.D Dept of Crop science, faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja, and Chairman Governing Council, Anambra State Polytechnic Mgbakwu and pioneer DG NABDA, and High Chief Edward B. Atiku, Fellow of Institute of Accounting Executive of Nigeria (FIAEN).
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