NIFST celebrates 40th anniversary calls for partnership with government

From Left: Local Organising Committee, Dr (Mrs) Funmi Oladunmoye; NIFST National President, Dr ChijiokeOsuji, Lagos State Chapter Chairman, Mr Sunday M. Bamgboye and Past President, Babajide Elemo  Photo: BiodunAdeyewa

By Paul Ukpabio

The National President of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) Dr Chijioke Osuji, has called on the Federal government of Nigeria to recognise the role played by food technologists in the country and as such partner with the Institute for food security.

Osuji made this known at the 40^th anniversary celebration of
the Institute held at Westown Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos. He also added that the earlier the federal government embrace this laudable partnership, the better for the country’s development.

In a similar vein, the Lagos State Chapter Chairman of NIFST, Mr Sunday M. Bamgboye lauded the 40^th anniversary celebration but also expressed his desire for the Institute to work hand in hand with the federal government.

According to him, “it is true that we are celebrating the 40^th anniversary of our Institute, which to us, is a landmark. Even in the life of an individual being 40 is an achievement more so, the life of an organization. This is an achievement that we needed to celebrate. But also more importantly, is that we had to celebrate this to re-position the Institute to be relevant to the country. At this point in time, we all know what is happening to Nigeria. Oil used to be the sustenance of the economy, but now we all have a consensus to return to agriculture.

“It is sad that more than 70% of the food that we produce still ends up being rotten and thrown away.  That is where food technologist comes in. This is the time for stakeholders to partner with us to achieve the agricultural needs of the country to meet up with the objectives of government. So we needed to be visible, to let the public and government know that it is time to work together to ensure food sustainability and security for the country.”

The body also had an induction ceremony during the event. 

From left: NIFST National President, Dr ChijiokeOsuji, Lagos State Chapter Chairman, Mr Sunday M. Bamgboye and Past President, Babajide Elemo  Photo: BiodunAdeyewa