Graduates of the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology (FCAH&PT), Moor Plantation, Ibadan, have been charged to stand as strong linkages between researchers, farmers and industries for higher agricultural productivity.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, gave the charge in his address during the convocation and award ceremony of the college held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital recently.
The minister, who was represented on the occasion by the Oyo State Coordinator, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Kakulu Florence Omonele, noted that if both the college and the graduands stand as strong linkage between researchers, farmers and industries, agricultural productivity would improve while unemployment will reduce, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), will increase and crime rate in the country will reduce drastically, if not completely abolished.
He stated further that: “I can make an inference from the above if all the graduands and other students harness all the skills acquired in the college, including entrepreneurial skill that has been injected into the national curriculum; you will invariably become job creators rather than job seekers.”
While charging the management of the college and the entire staff not to relent in improving the standard of knowledge being passed across to the students, he said: “I want to tell you today that it has become imperative to embrace new technologies that are springing up daily.
“Honestly, the ministry is proud of you; likewise all research institutes and colleges of agriculture. I challenge you to think outside the box by exploring all available opportunities.”
On his part, Provost of the college, Dr. Adekoya Owosibo, in his convocation speech, congratulated the graduands, while urging them to be good ambassadors of the college by contributing hugely to the development of agriculture particularly livestock production in Nigeria.
He said, “ feel free to visit our farms, veterinary clinic, cyber cafe, laboratories, medical centre and other facilities that might be of interest to you.”
The graduands were awarded certificates for National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Agribusiness Management, Animal Production Technology, and Animal Health Technology, among others
