DG calls for collaboration between FIIRO and NIFST

(L-R: Dr Gloria Elemo; Director Production, Analytical Services and Laboratory Mnagement, Dr (Mrs) Yemisi Asagbara, and Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) Mr Sunday Bamgbose during the courtesy visit by NIFST to the Director General of Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Lagos recently. Story by Paul Ukpabio, Photo: Biodun Adeyewa.)

The Director General of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Dr (Mrs) Gloria Elemo, has called for a working unity between the research body and the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST).

Addressing the Exco members of the body who paid her a courtesy call at
her Office at Oshodi, the FIIRO Director General Dr Mrs Gloria Elemo expressed her sincere appreciation to NIFST for all the support the institute and the Lagos chapter has been giving to the research institute.

She told the newly constituted NIFST exco, that the body is crucial to the country , at this point in time. "You will agree with me that you are coming on board when the economy of this country is at the verge of collapse, hence there is need to tighten your belts for a lot is expected of NIFST.

"It will interest you to note that the Federal Government has brought out a list of products whose importation has been banned. Hence many in the business are forced to change focus and look inwards. NIFST needs to quickly seize this opportunity, come to the rescue of the Nation, filling in the gap and providing the needed mechanism for such entrepreneurs to ride on.

"There is therefore an obvious need to turn Nigerian economy around and improve the current Food security status via the micro, small, and medium scale enterprises. We need to work hard and reduce our dependence on imported foods that could be locally manufactured using indigenous technologies. To that end, NIFST, having members all around the globe, stand a good chance in identifying partners, sensitising them to look inwards and endeavour to add value to our agricultural crops that we are endowed with before exporting them to other countries. We have the expertise; hence no need to import experts. NIFST must rise to this occasion and through your organized fora, endeavor to always stress the need to become a ‘producing’ nation and not just a “purchasing and consuming” one."

In his response, the Chairman of the Lagos state chapter of NIFST, Mr Sunday Bamgbose thanked the FIIRO DG for allowing "FIIRO to more or less be the permanent home of NIFST from time immemorial, playing host to our chapter regular monthly meetings and some of our special events like NIFST day and other activities. I will not fail to mention sponsorship and other forms of supports. For all these, I say a big thank you on behalf of the institute and Lagos Chapter.''

Bamgbose stated that the new Exco team of  NIFST is determined to take the institute to the next level and requires the support of all to achieve it. He stated that NIFST (Lagos Chapter) is set to reposition for relevance both to the members and the society at large. This we intend to achieve by resuscitating the zonal structure of the chapter, partnering with relevant stakeholders to create job for our teeming members and positioning NIFST as a formidable entity in moving our country forward, creating awareness for the activities of the chapter among members and the public.

Bamgbose added that the Chapter is already talking with Lagos State Government and Bank of Industry in a bid to make the above aspiration a reality.