By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City.
Due to the prevailing economic and the soaring of food prices in the country, the authorities of Ambrose Alli University ,(AAU), Ekpoma, have appointed Professor Agharese Osifo of the department of Economics and Extension as its farm director.
Osifo’s, an Associate Professor and a two time Head of a Department of Economics and Extension appointment was with effect from 1st of October 2021.
He has the mandate to restreamline the Agricultural activities of the University farms to make it self sustaining, centre of excellence for a Research for agriculture and also to generate Revenue for the University.
Speaking with Nigerian Post, Osifo, said, “I was appointed as Director AAU Farms effect from 1st of October 2021, with the mandate to restreamline the Agricultural activities of the University farms, to make it self sustaining and make it the centre of excellence for a Research for Agriculture and also to generate Revenue for the University.
He said, ” I have written a plan on way forward on how to go about the assignment .So I have already forwarded that plan to the Vice Chancellor for approval for implementation.
According to him, “the plan is all about the visibility studies and business plan. The two documents are very important for the success and any management activities.”
“I have the plan to involve the Private, Public Sector Partnership,( PPP), including the Media which is a robust part of it.
“I do know that most of the media Houses , especially the Print Media have pages for agriculture within the weeks in their pages.
“We will partner with the media for advertising roles for promotion. The Media can reach out to the intended and existing customers.
“The Media as the 4th estate of the realm in any civilised business venture is very vital. No matter how good your products are , if the people don’t know of it they will not buy it. So is the Media Houses that will join the University to promote the Farm Products to the society.
” We will ensure that our Products gets to the University community and the Society in general in moderate prices and also as one of the best that can compete in any market situation in the Country,”he concluded.